Submersible Electrical Pump Ammeter Chart Interpretation

To protect the investment in a submersible pump all facilities available must be used to insure against premature unit failure. A combination of common oilfield test procedures, including the recording of fluid volumes, pressures, unit voltages, and amperages can provide the desired insurance. A correctly designed submersible pump will provide a relatively maintenance-free, long duration operation. The usual cause of premature failure of a properly designed unit is an unattended correctable mechanical malfunction which results in downhole failure. It is, therefore, mandatory that each unit be properly and rigorously monitored in order that these malfunctions be corrected before premature failure occurs. One of the most valuable and least understood tools available is the recording ammeter. The ammeter chart, much like a physician's electrocardiogram, is a recording of the "heart beat" of the submersible electrical motor. Proper, timely and rigorous analysis of amp charts can provide valuable information for the detection and correction of minor operational problems before they become costly major ones. This paper deals with the proper interpretation of ammeter charts and their interrelationship with other guides in the troubleshooting and preventive maintenance of electrical submersible pumps.