Effective Utilization of Variable Speed Drive with Electrical Submersible Pump’s Boost Oil Production in a Remote Desert Field: Case Study

摘要

This paper presents a comprehensive review of a successfully employed methodology used for utilizing variable speed drive (VSD) with electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) to boost the oil production in a remote desert field in Saudi Arabia. The successful employed methodology was done through a structured test program for VSD frequency jackup. The program was designed to overcome the back pressure in the trunk line connecting this field and others to a Central Processing Facility where the downstream pressure of the wells are fluctuating within 60 psi with a maximum back pressure of 865 psi. The ESP frequency on the producers in this field was jacked up to a frequency measured below the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of the trunk line. The maximum frequency was adjusted through recording the deadhead pressure (DHP) of the ESP at different frequencies and selecting a new running frequency, which is the frequency recorded at the closest pressure below the MAOP of the trunk line. This test was done to boost the production from each producer while maintaining integrity of the trunk line. The production gain indicates that increasing the ESP frequency via the VSD is a very valuable tool. This test was done on 15 producers equipped with intelligent field gadgets in which the data is transmitted to the production engineer’s desktop. Every producer is equipped with an ESP unit with a sensor and VSD, in addition to a multiphase flow meter (MPFM) unit for rate measurements. The VSD, which is designed specifically for use with the ESP, has been available for several years. The utilization of the VSD as an effective tool to increase the production from the ESP is very well documented in the oil industry. The ability to vary the operating speed of the ESP through the VSD greatly expands the production range of the ESP. In this paper, the methodology and the structured test program implemented in the (R) field during the frequency jack-up campaign utilizing the VSD on the producers will be discussed, in which the post-test and pre- test results will be shared and examined. Although, the long-term effects of operating the ESP pumps on high frequency and high amps for extensive periods of time will not be covered in this case study.