The Application Experience of Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) in Offshore Oilfields, Bohai Bay, China

Abstract

Li Kuiyuan Abstract The electrical submersible pump (ESP) was introduced for producing oil in Bohai Bay oilfields of China in wells and they are mainly used in Chengbei Oilfield, SZ36 - 1 Oilfield and BZ428 - West Oilfield, etc. Since then, some experiences have been accumulated. In this paper, ESP well completion, matched running parameters with the productivity of the well, performance diagnosis, extending the running life of ESP unit and preparation of the standby ESP units are discussed. Introduction There are six gas & oilfields which have been developed in Bohai Bay area, China. Among which Chengbei Oilfield, SZ36 – 1 Oilfield, BZ428 -West Oilfield have entered the stage of artificial lift development. Widely used technology of artificial lift has become the major technical means for increasing and stabilizing the production. There are mainly three ways of artificial lift applied in offshore oilfields. Namely, they are electrical submersible pump (ESP), jet pump and progressive cavity pump (pcp). Of which ESP is the most widely used and makes up more than 70% of the total artificial lift wells. Since 1986, the ESP was introduced in Bohai offshore oilfields, good development results and economic benefits have been achieved. And a complete series of technology, such as, unit quality inspection, the design and selection of downhole pump and well, ESP workover, performance diagnosis, pressure surveys of ESP well, downhole safety control production management and repairing of ESP unit, etc. have taken shape. For the time being, ESP wells make up more than 40.7% of the total production wells in Bohai offshore oilfields. The service life of ESP unit prolongs to 556 days comparing with initial 100 days. The longest service life has reached more than 1000 days. P. 627