Electric Submersible Pump Vibration Monitoring via Noise Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to accurately monitor the operating conditions and parameters of electric submersible pumps (ESPs) in a borehole environment to predict failures effectively due to external influences such as changes in reservoir conditions and noise from tubing and completion hardware, which can obscure failure signals or generate false alarms.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve acquiring a baseline signature of the ESP in a controlled environment, then applying an operator to isolate a downhole noise component from the vibration signature in a borehole environment, allowing for the determination of the ESP's health status by comparing it to the baseline signature using signal processing techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration monitoring is performed in borehole environment, then failure detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to external noise from tubing and completion hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vibration signal into distinct components: ESP-related vibrations and borehole environment noise. By separating these components through spectral analysis and template matching, the system can isolate and analyze only the ESP-related signals, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing failure detection capability in the noisy borehole environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a downhole noise template as an intermediary element that characterizes the typical noise signature of the borehole environment. This template serves as a reference for identifying and removing noise components from the vibration signal, enabling accurate ESP monitoring despite the presence of external noise from tubing and completion hardware.
2Measurement precision
If baseline signature is acquired in controlled environment, then signal clarity is improved, but adaptability to downhole environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring a downhole noise template during a baseline period when the ESP is known to be healthy. This template captures the characteristic noise signature of the specific borehole environment before actual monitoring begins. By preparing this environmental reference in advance, the system maintains high adaptability to the downhole environment while ensuring signal clarity through controlled baseline conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the vibration signal through mathematical operations (spectral subtraction, filtering) to remove noise components characterized by the downhole template. This transforms the raw vibration signal into a cleaned signal that retains ESP diagnostic information while eliminating environmental noise, thereby achieving both signal clarity and environmental adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If noise component removal is applied, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a downhole noise template that replicates the characteristic noise pattern of the borehole environment. Instead of developing complex real-time noise cancellation algorithms, the system copies the noise signature during baseline operation and uses this template to subtract noise components from subsequent vibration signals. This approach improves measurement precision while keeping the processing methodology relatively simple and repeatable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring an electric submersible pump. The method includes acquiring a baseline signature for the electric submersible pump in a first environment, acquiring a downhole signature for the electric submersible pump in a downhole environment while the electric submersible pump is confirmed to be healthy, applying an operator to the baseline signature and the downhole signature that results in a downhole noise component, acquiring a vibration signature for the electric submersible pump in the downhole environment while the electric submersible pump is in an operating mode, removing the downhole noise component from the vibration signature to produce an isolated electric submersible pump signature, and determining a health status of the electric submersible pump based on the isolated electric submersible pump signature.