Downhole Pump Protection for PCP and ESP
A field pilot test of the Enerscope Pump Protection Desanders in the oil and gas industry was conducted by Renaissance Energy Ltd. in the well Cantuar Unit 121/16-21-16-17 W3M. The test objectives were focused on determining the capability of the Pump Protection Desander to extend the run life of an Electric Submersible Pump system. The results of each objective are as follows:
- Demonstrate that the Desander will separate sand downhole.
- There was 4.67 m of sand tagged in the well sump, indicating that the Pump Protection Desander did separate and purge sand into the well sump.
- Demonstrate that the Pump Protection Desander will not cause the production equipment to “sand-in”.
- There was no sand found on top of the packer, and the Electric Submersible Pump as well as the Pump Protection Desander system, was pulled from the well with no difficulties. This indicates that the risk of “sanding-in” may be less than originally anticipated.
- Demonstrate that the Pump Protection Desander will extend the current pump producing life.
- The maximum Electric Submersible Pump run-life prior to the installation of the Pump Protection Desander was 143 days. The system was run for 203 days at which time it was pulled for inspection. The pump showed minimal signs of wear with a decrease in head capacity of only, 4.6%. On the final day of production the ESP was producing at the optimal design efficiency of 60%.
- Demonstrate no negative impacts on oil production rates.
The well produced an average of 25 m3/d of oil, which matched the predicted oil rate. There were no indications that the Pump Protection Desander
significantly affected the inflow performance of the well.