Simulations and Challenges of ESP Application in High-GOR Wells at South East of Turkey

Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) are a preferred artificial lift systems by E&P companies in Turkey because they provide operating advantages over other artificial lift systems including but not limited to their flexibility to accommodate large and varied range of dynamic flow rates for the life of a well, and they are safe reliable systems with average run times in excess of 36 month. However, ESP systems are known to have limitations with abrasive fluids and problems with gas locking in low water cut high Gas Oil Ratio (GOR) producing wells, but recent technical improvements by supplies have helped to overcome these constraints. Bahar field in South East of Turkey is an unconventional under saturated light oil reservoir with high GOR that started producing in 2012. With the declining reservoir pressure after a period of production the wells start to slug flow and periodically die, requiring a swab rig to kick the well off and reinstate production. The high GOR and bubble point pressure make it problematic to apply artificial lift systems to enhance production from this field. This paper presents the challenges of ESP applications for optimizing production from the Bahar field and how they have been overcome with the help of the advancement of ESP technology. Design simulations for various options of downhole equipment configurations coupled with varying the well operating parameters is presented in this paper along with case histories.