Restore Production Rate

Case study: Phoenix MultiSensor monitoring

system data diagnose scaling

Challenge Diagnosing reason for change in intake pressure

An electric submersible pump
(ESP) was set in a 7-in casing
inside a 51⁄2-in shroud at about
1,676 m [5,500 ft] in a vertical,
cased wellbore. As the intake
pressure increased, the motor
temperature rose slightly and
production began to decline.
An ESP was set in a 7-in casing inside a 51⁄2-in shroud at about 1,676 m [5,500 ft] in a vertical,
cased wellbore. The production rate was approximately 80 m3/d [500 bbl/d]. The Phoenix
MultiSensor artificial lift downhole monitoring system showed the pump slowly drawing
down the reservoir. Initial production tests from the well yielded flow rates consistent
with ESP design.
On June 10, 2004, the intake pressure began to increase. No apparent change in the
production rate was found to explain the increase, so the ESP motor temperature alarms
were set to monitor and protect the system against overheating.

Solution Treating scaling with acid

The Phoenix* MultiSensor*
artificial lift downhole monitoring
system data showed that the
motor temperature had risen
because of an increased pump
load on the motor, caused by
progressive scaling of the pump.
Results
Acid was used to dislodge the scale.
Both the intake pressure and the
motor temperature then fell signifi-
cantly, returning to normal operating
Scale inside a pump can plug the stages, and plugged stages cannot impart the dynamic
head needed to produce the wellbore fluid to the surface at the expected rate. As the
intake pressure continued to increase, the motor temperature rose gradually, setting off
the alarm. After further evaluation, production tests indicated a decline in flow rate.
Then on June 20, when the motor temperature increase triggered the alarm, the decision
was made to dissolve the scale by treating the well with acid.
Acid was placed inside the annulus and run through the shroud and pump to dislodge
the scale. After the acid treatment, both the intake pressure and the motor temperature
fell significantly, resulting in higher drawdown and increased production.
600 180
Intake pressure 175
500 Intake temperature
Motor temperature 170
Intake pressure, psi

conditions and resulting in higher

Temperature, degF
400 Vibration
165
drawdown and increased production. Transition before
300 scale treatment 160
Transition after
scale treatment 155
200
150
100
145

0 140
6/1/04 6/6/04 6/11/04 6/16/04 6/21/04 6/26/04
12:00 am 12:00 am 12:00 am 12:00 am 12:00 am 12:00 am
Date and time

The Phoenix Multisensor system shows effects of progressive scaling inside ESP.

www.slb.com/phoenix

06-AL-118 April 2007

*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright © 2007 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. Artificial Lift