Thanks for your question. ESP are one of the most efficient artificial lift system installed in oil/gas wells around the world. The efficiency index of ESP is among the highest when compared to its counterparts. There are ESP systems currently available in market that can produce more than 10,000 bbls of liquid per day. They come in variety of options, rig/rigless installation, metallurgy and operating conditions.
However everything has a downside. Despite offering excellent lift, following are some of the cons (or limitations) of ESP systems in general:
- Cannot handle sand production or abrasive fluid
- Operating lift is highly effected by fluid type (corrosion)
- Can handle has upto a limit, high GOR adversely effect operating efficiency (even after using gas separators)
- Costly installation and repair (require workover rig to pullout)
- Cable life is often very short, and requires pull-out to repair
- Decrease in reservoir productivity below a certain point exponentially decreases ESP efficiency hence its economics
- Upfront CAPEX is significant compared to some of the other pumping lift systems
- Requires power source at surface to run VSD & transformers. Project is economized significantly if national power grid is accesible. Individual power generators increase the CAPEX & OPEX significantly.
These cons are listed as in general scenario, and often a case by case analysis decide whether ESP is an ideal choice for artificial lift.
We are writing a blog series on Electrical Submersible Pumps, its working, candidate selection, nodal analysis, design, installation & post job review. Please read to find out more.
If you have any more questions, dont hesitate to get back to us.
Thanks for your question. ESP are one of the most efficient artificial lift system installed in oil/gas wells around the world. The efficiency index of ESP is among the highest when compared to its counterparts. There are ESP systems currently available in market that can produce more than 10,000 bbls of liquid per day. They come in variety of options, rig/rigless installation, metallurgy and operating conditions.
However everything has a downside. Despite offering excellent lift, following are some of the cons (or limitations) of ESP systems in general:
- Cannot handle sand production or abrasive fluid
- Operating lift is highly effected by fluid type (corrosion)
- Can handle has upto a limit, high GOR adversely effect operating efficiency (even after using gas separators)
- Costly installation and repair (require workover rig to pullout)
- Cable life is often very short, and requires pull-out to repair
- Decrease in reservoir productivity below a certain point exponentially decreases ESP efficiency hence its economics
- Upfront CAPEX is significant compared to some of the other pumping lift systems
- Requires power source at surface to run VSD & transformers. Project is economized significantly if national power grid is accesible. Individual power generators increase the CAPEX & OPEX significantly.
These cons are listed as in general scenario, and often a case by case analysis decide whether ESP is an ideal choice for artificial lift.
We are writing a blog series on Electrical Submersible Pumps, its working, candidate selection, nodal analysis, design, installation & post job review. Please read to find out more.
If you have any more questions, dont hesitate to get back to us.
Best,
Imran