Zenith - automated ESP surveillance system
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Zenith Oilfield Technology of the UK has developed a system for automated surveillance of electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) in wells, called "Z-Sight".
The pumps need monitoring to make sure they are operating within the pressure and temperature limitations of the pumping equipment and don't exceed draw down limitations.
The system recently contributed to an increase in oil production in one South American well by 39%, generating an additional $45,900 revenue per day, the company claims.
One pump can provide over 20 data streams, each updating more than once a minute.
The Z-Sight system conducts real time analysis on the data stream and makes recommendations about how to operate the well to achieve optimum production.
The operator is provided with a suggested change to the settings (for example changing well head pressure to a specific amount) and how much increase in production can be expected from the change.
The software has a comprehensive model of the well and lifting equipment.
It has algorithms which judge whether the pumping system is running within a desirable operating condition.
It performs real time sensitivity studies to assess whether production can be improved.
The information is available over the company intranet so it is available anywhere.
The software continually calculates water cut, flow rate and bottom hole flowing pressure.
The system can also be used across a field (multiple wells). You can view a map of all of your wells, with a status flag on each well showing if there is a problem or not, or if there is potential for optimisation.
You can get warnings by text message if production has been lost from a well.
The system was first field trialled on multiple wells in the Middle East where the well model was checked against multiphase flow meter data for accuracy. Two unplanned well shutdowns were instantly recognised using the remote access module. Well production was re-established, reducing deferment of production and the associated costs.
There are already 27 installations of the system, and expected to be a further 270 this year. Clients include operators in Ecuador, Columbia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia as well as independent operators from Oman, India, and South America.