Lee V. Hall, B.J. Centrilift Pumps
A properly engineered project requires the use of accurate and reliable data. So it is with the design and selection of submersible pumping equipment. In order to gain maximum benefit from any submersible pump installation, one should make efforts to acquire the best possible quantitative and qualitative data available. Such factors as static and working fluid levels or static and producing bottom-hole pressures are vitally important as is knowledge of well and fluid conditions such as the ambient temperature down-hole and the corrosiveness if the fluid. Such conditions dictate the approach to an enlightened selection of equipment. Submersible pumps are not without limitations and the effect of these limitations is better understood with knowledge of the conditions under which the equipment must operate. A certain degree of flexibility is offered by submersible pumps in that they can be applied in a variety of ways in meeting high-volume pumping problems. Practically all oilfield applications are found to be in either water supply wells for waterflood projects or in high water-oil ratio producing wells. The latter may be in natural water-drive reservoirs where much primary oil can be gained or in waterflood producing wells where high volume pumping is required for maximum flood efficiency and greater ultimate recoveries.