Abstract
Unconventional wells pose significant challenges, making effective Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) troubleshooting essential to enhance production and prolong equipment life. This paper details the successful resolution and prevention of ESP-related problems through comprehensive troubleshooting workflows that connect remote and field operations for a key operator in the Bakken. The consistent execution of these workflows has improved ESP uptime, longevity, and increased production. The operation's success depended on advanced decision trees, digital tools, and efficient communication among team members.
Implementing an operations-tailored ESP optimization team featuring round-the-clock subject matter experts and dedicated field service technicians led to the development of an operational playbook. This comprehensive guideline encompassed proactive trend evaluation, troubleshooting procedures, performance evaluations, and communication protocols. Utilizing SCADA platforms, data analytics, and visualization software, the team provided 24/7/365 monitoring and optimization for hundreds of ESP systems in the Bakken. Through continuous collaboration with the operator and dedicated field service technicians, troubleshooting workflows helped determine whether specific issues required remote or on-site resolution, increasing operational efficiency.
By successfully executing these workflows, ESP uptime, run life, and premature equipment failure rates improved significantly. From 2021 to 2023, field-wide average uptime rose from 94.4% to 96.5% across all assets. Equipment run life increased by 51.3%, equivalent to 117 days, and premature equipment failures (less than 180 days run life) decreased by 63.7%. In a distribution of approximately 35,000 shutdowns, the 24/7 monitoring and optimization team operator observed ~48% fewer high motor temperature shutdowns than the cumulative average for Bakken operators.
This paper presents detailed solutions to troubleshooting the ESP-related problems associated with unconventional wells. It encompasses sophisticated decision trees, utilizing digital tools, and underscores the importance of immediate collaboration between the operator, remote engineers, and field personnel. Implementing a customer-specific ESP optimization team and playbook provides a comprehensive approach, offering fresh insights into integrated problem-solving in the petroleum sector.
