Abstract
Optimizing the operating conditions for an ESP (Electrical Submersible Pump) does not need to be a complicated process. The Petroleum Engineers typically analyse the wells using the charts provided by the vendors, where the pump performance is expressed in terms of Head vs In-Situ Rate. However, field engineers and operators usually control the wells by adjusting choke opening - thus the THP (Tubing Head Pressure) - and Frequency. This logical gap can often cause delays and difficulties in performing a continuous optimization.
The paper presents a tool to close that gap, based on automated workflows; it enabled the direct use of familiar variables so that all teams involved can interact smoothly. The tool generates clear visualizations, combining all the system constraints and operating limits, so that the engineers can visualize the Operating Envelope for each ESP well. This approach drastically decreased the time spent analysing the operability of the ESP and consequently improved the actions implementation speed. The primary benefit is the time saved by engineers, especially important for a giant oilfield where relatively few engineers oversee up to 100 wells each. Additionally, it helped junior and senior engineers alike to quickly identify problematic ESPs, elaborate remedial actions, and propose new optimized setpoints.
The novelty of the tool is the ability to simplify an industry-standard process, offering a straightforward alternative. It can be adapted and scaled to any field with ESP installations, while it only requires simple programming skills.
