Paper: Coated Stages Improve ESP Runtime in The Howard-Glasscock Field of West Texas

Iron sulfide scale had caused a number of short runs in producing wells in this West Texas waterflood. A team of producing company engineers, operations personnel, chemical company technicians, and submersible pump company personnel was formed to identify the problem and research methods to correct the situation. This paper presents a history of the field, problems encountered, characteristics such as loss of production that indicate downhole pump problems, and amp chart review. Chemical analysis of the produced water, along with scaling tendencies, were monitored. Metallurgical analysis of the pump parts exposed to the water, and detailed equipment teardown analysis helped identify the root cause problem. Once identified, steps were taken to reduce abrasive wear by coating pump stages to forestall the problem.