Diagnosing ESP failures and short run life

01Why look at the whole system

An ESP failure is rarely caused by the pump alone. Run life depends on how well the pump suits the well's inflow, on what the produced fluid carries, and on the quality of the power reaching the motor. Fennec's production and electrical engineers review these together.

02Step 1: collect the history

We start with the data the operator already holds:

• Install and pull dates, and run life per installation.
• Production rates, pressures and fluid properties over time.
• Drive and controller logs: current, voltage, frequency and trips.
• Teardown findings from failed equipment, where available.

03Step 2: check sizing against inflow

A pump sized for the rate a well delivered at installation may now be running outside its recommended operating range as reservoir pressure and inflow change. We compare the current inflow with the pump's operating window and model the alternatives.

04Step 3: check the fluid and the wellbore

Scale, paraffin, sand and gas all shorten run life. We identify which are present and whether chemical treatment, sand management or a design change would address them.

05Step 4: check the power chain

The variable frequency drive, the wellsite transformer and the downhole power cable all affect motor life. We review their settings and condition alongside the pump, which is where production and electrical engineering meet.

06Outcome

The review ends with specific recommendations on design, operating practice, chemical programme or power supply, ranked by expected effect on run life.