New ESP drive able to reduce costs and help increase production

CCW Energy Systems of Alberta, Canada has developed a new ESP drive system that can help to reduce operating costs and, in some cases, boost production. The EnerSaver FL1741 ESP drive is an adaptation of the FL 1741 drive for beam pumps, minus the regenerative function of the other design.

Field Trial

The following data was obtained from a recent field trial of the new ESP drive system:

Original pump data

Utility Supply Frequency = 60 Hz, Running Current (RC) = 154.3 amps

Production rate = 420 m³/day.

ESP drive data

Frequency 60 Hz, RC = 134.8 amps

Production rate = 470 m³/day

According to this data, the ESP drive managed to cut RC by 19.5 amps, representing an energy saving of approximately 20%. In addition, production from the pump was increased by 50 m³/day.

Explaining the increase in production

The increase in production was initially unexpected, especially when it came at the same time as a 20% decrease in energy usage.

After some investigation of past records it was noted that, before the ESP drive system was installed, the pump’s hourly production figures would undergo fluctuation. Attaching a Power Quality Test meter to the incoming utility supply soon revealed that the cause of the problem had been an unstable power supply with significant variations in voltage and frequency.

From this evidence, the following conclusions could be drawn:

1) The unstable utility power supply reduced the operating RPM of the motor, decreasing production.

2) The ESP drive, maintained the correct output frequency of 60 Hz to the motor, ensuring the correct motor RPM and maintaining pump operation as per its performance curve.

The corresponding drop in power consumption can be explained as a result of very low levels of power fluctuation and harmonics.

Adapted from a press release by David Bizley

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/16072013/new_esp_drive_able_to_reduce-_costs_and_help_produce_more/