Development and Evaluation of a New Electrical Submersible Pump for High Viscosity Environments

Conventional methods of Heavy Oil production have either delivered low recovery factors or have involved costly thermal projects. With low oil prices the new norm, Operators need to maximize their recovery factors whilst controlling CAPEX required to exploit their assets. Centrifugal pumps are normally used to fit the ESP system. Multiple stage pumps are used in several configurations to fulfill wellhead pressure requirements by converting kinetic energy to hydraulic pressure. Floater and compression stages are available with radial and mixed flow designs. The impact of the viscosity in the pump is huge, it reduces the head per stage, increasing the energy consumption and reducing the efficiency of the overall system. This paper presents a new approach to lifting heavy/viscous oil with a Pump design that will allow Operators to increase overall field production with reduced power consumption.

A trial was conducted in Colombia in a harsh field (high viscosity, low water cut, high temperature and high gas production) that had challenged all artificial lift systems. Several strategies (light oil injection, high capacity equipment, solvents injection at surface) had been implemented to overcome fluid viscosities of up to 6,000 cP @ 150 °F/ 14.7 psi (API 8°) yielding excellent short and medium-term results but system hydraulic efficiency and energy consumption were still below expectations. A new pump has been specially designed for the fluid conditions previously described, providing an effective lift method to reduce power consumption and minimize ESP costs. All content contained within this webinar is copyrighted by Sebastian Izquierdo and its use and/or reproduction outside the portal requires express permission from Sebastian Izquierdo.

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