Title : Use of permanent sensor on ESP application to avoid ESP cavitation on gas storage caverns
Abstract:
Electrical submersible Pump Systems (ESP) cavitation is a known destructive condition that often affect the performance and run life of the equipment. When ESP are used to produce shallow sump, storage caverns the use of sensors if often eliminated to allow setting the equipment closer to the bottom of the cavern to increase NPSHa. Not using an ESP sensor results on lack of downhole monitoring vital information that helps to keep the pump operating at its optimum point and extend its run life. A North America Hydrocarbon Storage company operating in Indiana, explored ESP options and strategies that comply with its flow requirements - Cavern Propane and Butane movement, without sacrificing downhole monitoring features, selecting a Dual Pressure Permanent Sensor as the preferred solution. The proposal included an enhanced Dual pump ESP System with a single tec-line cable dual pressure sensor, secured to the ESP shroud. The sensor measures downhole intake pressure at the cavern floor via a bottom transducer and ESP discharge pressure via a prefilled control line installed from the sensor side transducer to the top of the upper Pump. The system was deployed applying special consideration to the Tec cable positioning to limit system noise and interference caused by the main electrical power cable. This paper documents the Successful installation of the permanent sensor and tec cable noise reduction strategy on an ESP completion that allowed to critically improve pump submergence while monitoring critical downhole parameters such as Downhole pressures (intake and discharge), temperatures and vibration that enable pump protection and real time optimization.
Audience Take Away:
- It will document for the audience alternatives to digital monitor downhole pumping systems on caverns without sacrifice pump submergence.
- This will generate opportunities to extend downhole equipment runlife (pump) and automate operations on the cavern by real measure downhole conditions.
- This abstract will enable improve pump system design as well enhance equipment protection and optimization.
