Electric Submersible Pump Efficiency for Downhole Parameter Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore operations can be inefficient due to improper functioning of downhole electric submersible pumps (ESPs) caused by factors such as excess gas in production fluids, changes in fluid properties, or equipment defects, which existing methods fail to accurately diagnose and address in real-time.
Innovation Solution
The method involves estimating downhole parameters by monitoring the efficiency of ESPs at the surface using load signals and comparing them to expected operational parameters, allowing for real-time diagnosis of inefficiencies and identification of issues like free gas content, bearing friction, or pump health problems, using sensors and computer systems to track efficiency changes and provide diagnostic tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If downhole parameters are monitored using traditional methods, then equipment defects can be detected, but real-time diagnosis of inefficiencies caused by excess gas or fluid property changes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional downhole sensing equipment with surface-based electrical measurements. By monitoring electrical parameters (current, voltage, power, efficiency) of the ESP at the surface, the system infers downhole conditions without requiring physical sensors in the wellbore, achieving real-time detection of gas content and fluid property changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical efficiency as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure downhole conditions. Instead of directly measuring gas content or fluid properties downhole, the system measures electrical consumption and efficiency at the surface, which serve as mediators reflecting the actual downhole state and pump performance.
2Productivity
If ESP efficiency is monitored continuously, then real-time performance deviations can be detected, but the complexity of data analysis and diagnostic tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional diagnostic system that uses a single measurement parameter (electrical efficiency) to detect multiple different problems including gas content variations, fluid property changes, pump performance degradation, and bearing friction. This universal approach avoids the complexity of multiple specialized sensors and analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of ESP electrical parameters, comparing actual efficiency against expected efficiency to generate diagnostic information. The system provides real-time feedback on pump performance and downhole conditions, enabling operators to adjust operations or schedule maintenance based on actual device state rather than fixed schedules.
3Measurement precision
If traditional pump monitoring methods are used, then basic operational status can be tracked, but accurate estimation of downhole parameters like free gas cut and bearing friction cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent monitors changes in electrical parameters (current, voltage, power, efficiency) of the ESP to infer changes in downhole conditions. By tracking how these electrical parameters vary under different operating conditions, the system calculates actual downhole parameters such as free gas cut and bearing friction, converting electrical measurements into meaningful downhole condition information.
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples can be implemented to determine electric submersible pump efficiency to estimate downhole parameters. At a computer system, a load signal on an in-well type electric submersible pump to transfer fluid through a wellbore is received. At the computer system, a load represented by the received load signal and an expected load on the pump is compared. A difference between the load represented by the received load signal and the expected load based on comparing the load represented by the received load signal and the expected load on the pump is identified.