Optimized electric submersible pumping to extend economic oil production in a high-water-cut environment

The economic life of the Equity Oil Co.-operated lease in the Ashley Valley field of Uintah County, UT, has been extended significant as a result of the efficient use of electric power. Early efforts to reduce power-consumption inefficiencies included replacement of flowlines to lower surface backpressure, installation of a central capacitor bank to eliminate power-factor penalties, and a well-respacing project. This paper focuses on recent efforts concerning submersible pumping optimization, including use of increased efficiency stage and motor designs and proper equipment selection to operate at maximum efficiency