Electric Submersible Pumps Fine Tuned for Gassy Wells

Published: 08/01/2009

Concrete blue texture

In general, electric submersible pumps (ESPs) do not like gas. Regardless of the source or nature of gas inclusions in the flowstream, problems can occur when the gas reaches the ESP. Recent experience has revealed that selecting the most appropriate gas handling solution is not a simple task. The reason is that gas inclusions can manifest themselves in many ways from massive slugs to entrained bubbles at a broad spectrum of flow rates and pressures. Different well geometries and completion styles can affect the way gas flows or agglomerates in the flowstream.

Electric Submersible Pumps Fine Tuned for Gassy Wells