What Assala achieved
The pump was successfully started at 40 Hz and frequency was gradually increased to 50 Hz.
THD dropped to about 8% and operation proceeded smoothly with no more interruptions due to
power quality. The ESP increased oil production by 500 bbl/d, providing more than USD 7 million
in revenue over the 8 months to the projected completion of the power station.
Delighted with the solution, Assala ordered another eight phase-shift transformers to avoid
delays in additional planned workovers. Projected time savings of 4 months per well for the
next seven wells translate to an estimated revenue of USD 25 million. Once the power station
is commissioned, the stepdown transformer will be deployed and the phase-shift transformers
reassigned to other fields that do not have such stations.