When operating production oil wells with electric submersible pump units in conditions of high free gas content in the pump, the mode of flowing through the annular (FTA) may occur due to a combination of factors, such as: relatively high pump intake pressure sufficient to maintain self-flowing conditions through annulus, large amount of gas coming to annulus, high degradation of ESP parameters which prevents decreasing BHP and others.

The authors of the article have reviewed literary sources, formulated the relevance of the problem of flowing in annular space of artificially lifted wells. The full characteristics of ESP was adapted by the results of flow loop tests with gas-liquid mixture. It made it possible to develop the model of ESP operation under FTA conditions, which was proven on field cases (four examples). Recommendations for FTA mode optimization discussed.

Keywords:
reservoir surveillance, calculation, esp, gas content, artificial lift system, upstream oil & gas, flow rate, well operation parameter, operation, production monitoring
Subjects:
Artificial Lift Systems, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Electric submersible pumps
Copyright 2020, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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