Optimize Oil Field Electrification To Minimize Power Consumption

Abstract

Pressure is the energy of the reservoir. After years of production, the reservoir pressure will decline, and there comes a stage when it will not be sufficient to lift the oil to the surface. Artificial lift systems like electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) are utilized to provide adequate pressure to lift the oil to the surface by substituting the declining reservoir pressure. However, the power consumption of ESP is relatively high. The analysis is done for a well with high Gas Oil Ratio (GOR), and this paper aims to minimize electricity usage and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) by modifying the ESP design or by utilizing the latest technology like Advanced Gas Handlers (AGH). The breakdown power and the required number of stages of ESP are analyzed for a range of depths and inner diameters. It was observed that the more profound the depth, the higher the power consumption and the required number of stages. It was noticed that the wider the pump, the lower the power consumed and the number of ESP stages. When the depth is less, the presence of gas will be high, so Advanced Gas Handlers (AGHs) are utilized to prevent gas locking in the pump. The ESP design was optimized by considering the intermediate depth and the largest possible inner diameter to reduce the number of stages and the motor’s horsepower. The cost associated with ESP has declined for a single well, and there is a tremendous CAPEX reduction for a reservoir with hundred wells. The novelty of this paper is that it helps to determine the optimum parameters, i.e., whether to utilize the latest technology or modify the ESP design to minimize power consumption and CAPEX for gassy wells.