Francisco Godin, Diego Marquez, Leonardo Suarez, Benigno Montilla, Marco Iguaran, Pete Hondred, Jose Jaua
SLB
Artificial Lift systems are crucial in optimizing production for horizontal oil and gas wells. As these wells face rapid reservoir pressure decline, increased gas and solids production, high deviation in well geometry, and unstable flow regimes selecting an appropriate artificial lift method becomes paramount. By implementing the right artificial lift system, operators can counter these challenges, maintain consistent flow rates, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery, ensuring sustained and efficient production throughout the well’s operational life.
Electric submersible progressive cavity pumps (ESPCP) combine the benefits of an electric submersible pump (ESP) and a progressive cavity pump (PCP). The main advantages of an ESPCP are:
• Eliminates mechanical wear of rods and tubing.
• Suitable for deviated and horizontal wells.
• Same benefits as PCPs for solids handling and producing viscous fluid.
• Production rates can vary with the use of a variable-speed drive.
However, the ESPCP system with a traditional PCP is commonly used in heavy oil applications. Large gas volumes present in light oil formations tend to swell the stator elastomer, leading to lower efficiency and system failure. Besides, a conventional PCP has a limited temperature capability of up to 185 degF and is very sensitive to aromatics.
This abstract is about a new high-efficiency and reliable system capable of overcoming the main challenges in Permian’s operations: gas lock ( because of high GVF), high power consumption with traditional artificial lift systems for low rate applications, solid productions, parted rods, hole in tubings, among others.
Combining a permanent magnet motor (PMM) and a composite PCP, results in a more efficient pumping system that:
• Lowers power consumption and CO2 emissions reduction
• Increases production by setting the pump deeper, adding more lifting capacity
• Eliminates up to 80 % of failures of wells (elimination of rod string failures)
• Improves equipment reliability due to the elimination of a gearbox (the most common type of failure for ESPCP)
• Allows for ESPCP production in light oil applications (up to 45 API)