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Baker Hughes installs ultra-temperature ESP system

Friday, September 03, 2010 in Automation

Baker Hughes has installed what it says is the world’s first ultra-temperature electrical submersible pumping (ESP) systems in steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) wells in the Canadian oil sands.

Nine Centrilift XP ESP production systems, which can operate at fluid temperatures up to 250°C (482°F), have been installed since April 15, 2010.

Calgary-based Cenovus Energy, currently field testing the system at its Christina Lake, Alberta, thermal project, is among the first to deploy the new technology. “We expect the more robust system to increase run life and minimize operational expenditures,” says Jason Abbate, a production engineer with Cenovus. “Because the ESP system is operated at higher temperatures than conventional systems, we can also expect higher oil production rates.” SAGD production specialists expect an increase in production because of a larger steam chamber and less viscous oil at higher steaming temperatures.

The ultra-temperature ESP system design is the result of several years of research and development in specialized testing facilities at Baker Hughes’ ESP product center in Claremore, Oklahoma, USA. The testing facilities allow Baker Hughes’ research and development engineers not only to design and test ESP equipment at temperatures up to 300°C (572°F), but also to simulate the horizontal orientation and temperature cycling characteristics of SAGD wells.

Baker Hughes instituted stringent manufacturing, factory acceptance testing, assembly and field service processes to ensure maximum reliability for these harsh applications. The SAGD ultra-temperature systems also have dedicated application engineering and technical support teams for this emerging market.

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