Day 02 ESP Basic Design and Operational Factors

Electric Submersible Pump Systems Course
(Day 2)
ESP Basic Design

and
Operational Factors
July 2010 G. Moricca 1

Course agenda
Day 1
Overview of Artificial Lift Technology and
Introduction to ESP Systems
Day 2
ESP Basic Design and Operational Factors
Days 3
ESP System Components and their Operational Features
Day 4
ESP System design: step-by-step procedure
Day 5
ESP Installation Monitoring, Optimization, Troubleshooting
and Diagnostic

ESP Basic Design and Operational Factors
 Basic concepts related to the centrifugal pumps
 Conceptual ESP’s design
 Total Dynamic Head (TDH)

— Well-Head Tubing Pressure (HTHP)
— Net Vertical Lift (NLV)
— Total Friction Loss
 ESP basic design: Step by step procedure
 Workshop Session: ESP basic design
 Operational Factors affecting the ESP performance

— Axial Thrust Forces
— Fixed vs Floating Impellers
— Axial forces compensation
— Cavitation
 Electricity and Magnetism: Review of Fundamentals

ESP basic
design
-
Basic concepts
related to the
centrifugal pumps

ESP design
Basic concepts related to the
centrifugal pumps
At the end of this section, you will be able

to understand:
● The physic governing a centrifugal pump
● How a centrifugal pump work
● The Head concept and how the centrifugal
pump generates the Dynamic Head
● The relation among Pump Head and fluid rate
● How a centrifugal pump can be regulated

An introduction
to
Centrifugal Pumps

ESP design
centrifugal pumps
Centrifugal Pumps
A centrifugal pump, according the Bernoulli Equation, converts

the input power (electric) to kinetic energy in the liquid by
accelerating the liquid by a revolving device (the impeller) and then
into pressure energy or Dynamic Head.
The faster the impeller revolves or the bigger the impeller is, the
higher will the velocity of the liquid energy transferred to the liquid
be. This is described by the Affinity Laws.

centrifugal pumps
Bernoulli Equation
As already mentioned, a centrifugal pump converts the input power
(electric) to kinetic energy in the liquid by accelerating the liquid by a
revolving device, an impeller, according the Bernoulli Equation.
The Bernoulli Equation states: v 2

P
  H  Constant
For a Newtonian, 2 g g
incompressible fluid, where
in steady flow, v  flow speed
the sum of Kinetic energy, P  pressure
Pressure energy and
Potential energy,   density
per unit volume g  gravity
is constant at any point H  heigt
This equation is often referred to the head because all elements has the unit of
length.
centrifugal pumps
Pressure and Head
If the discharge of a centrifugal pump is pointed straight up into the air
(no impeller – no flow obstruction – no flow resistance) the fluid will
pumped to a certain height - or head - called the shut off head.
This maximum head is mainly determined by the outside diameter of

the pump's impeller and the speed of the rotating shaft. The head will
change as the capacity of the pump is altered.
The kinetic energy of a liquid coming out of an impeller is obstructed by
creating a resistance in the flow. The first resistance is created by the
pump casing which catches the liquid and slows it down. When the
liquid slows down the kinetic energy is converted to pressure energy.
It is the resistance to the pump's flow that is read on a pressure

gauge attached to the discharge line
A pump does not create pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure is a

measurement of the resistance to flow.
centrifugal pumps
Pressure and Head
In Newtonian fluids (non-viscous liquids like water or gasoline) the term head
is used to measure the kinetic energy which a pump creates.
Head is a measurement of the height of the liquid column the pump

creates from the kinetic energy the pump gives to the liquid.
The main reason for using head instead of pressure to measure a centrifugal
pump's energy is that the pressure from a pump will change if the specific
gravity (weight) of the liquid changes, but the head will not
It is important to understand that the centrifugal pump will pump all fluids
to the same height if the shaft is turning at the same rpm
The only difference between the fluids is the amount of power it takes to get
the shaft to the proper rpm: the higher the specific gravity of the fluid
the more power is required.
So, the required power to achieve a certain fluid pressure - or head – is

proportional to the specific gravity of the fluid.
centrifugal pumps
Pressure-Head
From Bernoulli Equation: If:
2 2
v1 = 0; H1 = 0; P1 = P2 (no obstruction)
v1 P v P
 1  H1  2  2  H 2 v
2
2 g g 2 g g H 2
where 2g
and
v1  inlet flow speed ND
v 2  outlet flow speed v
229
P1  inlet pressure where:
P2  outlet pressure H = Total head developed in ft
H1  inlet heigt v = Velocity at periphery of impeller in ft/sec
H 2  utlet heigt g = Acceleration due to gravity – 32.3 feet/sec2
  density N = The impeller RPM (revolutions per minute)
g  gravity D = Impeller diameter in inches

centrifugal pumps
Example of Head calculation
Data
D = Impeller diameter: 5 inches
N = Impeller RPM: 3000 revolutions per minute
g = Acceleration due to gravity – 32.3 feet/sec2
Calculate Head developed by one single stage:

ND
v v = (3000 x 5) / 229 = 66 ft/sec
229
v2
H  H = (66)2 / (2 x 32.3) = 66 ft
2g
Convert the head in pressure supposing that the pumped fluid is freshwater :
P = pressure psi
Gw = freshwater gradient = 0.433 psi/ft
P = H x Gw = 66 x 0.433 = 28.58 psi
An introduction to
Discharge Regulation
of Centrifugal Pumps

centrifugal pumps
Discharge Regulation of Centrifugal pump
It is often necessary to adapt the pump capacity to a

temporary or permanent change in the process demand.
The capacity of a centrifugal pump can be regulated either at

― constant speed, or
― varying speed

centrifugal pumps
Capacity Regulation by Constant Speed
Capacity can be regulated at constant speed by
− throttling
− bypassing flow
− changing impeller diameter
− modifying the impeller
Throttling
Having the ESP at bottom-
hole, the only possible way to
change the rate by constant
speed is by throttling through
surface Choke variation, unless
decision to perform a work-
over is taken (e.g. ESP down
or upgrading by changing
motor, type and number of
stages).
Throttling through Choke reduction is energy inefficient since the energy to the pump is
not reduced. Energy is simply wasted by increasing the dynamic loss.
centrifugal pumps
Capacity Regulating by Varying Speed
● The speed of the pump can be varied with variable speed

drives - inverters - AC drives - adjustable frequency drives -
operates by varying the frequency and voltage to the electric
motor.
● Speed regulating is
energy efficient since the
energy to the pump is
reduced with the decrease of
speed.
● The change in power

consumption, head and
volume rate can be
estimated with the affinity
laws.
Conceptual
ESP’s design
-
Basic concepts
for
ESP selection
Main source: Well Performance. M. Golan /C. H. Whitson. Prentice Hall Inc
ESP conceptual design
At the end of this section, you will be able to:
● Explain the purpose of a pump (any pump) in a well.
● Understand the Basic concepts for ESP selection
and:
● Determine the pump suction and discharge pressure

● Calculate the required Total Pump-Head
● Choose the number of stages that a given centrifugal stage
type pump requires to meet a flow target
● Determine the power requirements to run the pump
● Size a pump using the TDH requirement

Basic concepts for ESP selection
Sizing an oil-well pump comprises two primary duties:
1. Determining the required pumping pressure
2. Selecting a pump to fulfil the pumping requirements
The pumping requirement is merely the pumping pressure

needed to maintain a desired wellbore flowing pressure
or a desired production rate.

Required pumping
pressure
The required pumping

pressure to produce a desired
fluid rate Q is determined by
combining:
1. The well’s inflow performance

(IPR)
2. The tubing performance curve

(TPR).

ESPESP
conceptual design
step-by-step design procedure
This figure provides (graphically) the

conceptual procedure for establishing
the required pumping pressure:
1. The IPR provides the Pwf corresponding
at a selected oil rate Qo and vice versa
2. Through the casing flow gradient the
pump suction pressure can be estimated
3. Imposing a wellhead flowing pressure
Pwh, the Tubing Flowing Gradient (at a
selected oil rate Qo ) provides the Flowing
TBG pressure at pump depth corresponding
to the pump discharge pressure.
4. The difference among discharge
pressure and the pump suction
pressure gives the ΔP to be provided
by pump.

Pumps providing the pressure needed to boost
production
Simply enough, a pump – any pump – provides the pressure
required by the well to match a given production rate.
Different pumps do this in different ways:
● Centrifugal pumps have a distinct pressure/flow profile for

each type of stage.
● Sucker Rod Pumps have a fixed flow rate for a given design
(stroke, speed, plunger diameter)
● PCPs, like rod pumps, have a fixed flow rate for a given design
(rotor/stator design, rotational speed)
● Screw pumps have a fixed flow rate for a given design (screw
design, rotational speed)
Centrifugal pump performance curves
The characteristics curves for centrifugal pumps are reported at

constant driving speed:
― 3500 RPM with 60 Hertz AC electrical supply (typical in USA)

― 2915 RPM with 50 Hertz AC electrical supply (typical in Europe)
In most pumping applications the electrical power supply to the

driving motor has a constant frequency and thus the pump is
operated at constant speed.
The constant-speed characteristic curve therefore provides all the

necessary information on pump pressure and power requirements.

Pump performance curves
Determining the actual pressure-rate-power relationship from the water-
related pump characteristic curve require the following procedure:
1.Determine the pump setting depth.
2.Determine the required pumping pressure to produce a desired fluid rate
Q by combining the IPR with TPR.
3.Convert the required pumping pressure to pump-head:
P P P
H    2.31
where:  0.433 
ρ is density of pumped fluid in lb/ft3
γ is specific gravity of pumped fluid (water=1)
4.Correct the reported pumping head for actual liquid viscosity if substantially
different than 1 cp (e.g. make use of American Hydraulic Institute)
5.Correct the power requirements for the density of pumped fluid:
W = Wwater x SGproduced fluid

Viscosity correction factors
for the density of pumped fluid 1. Enter the required
fluid rate (capacity)
1 GPM = 34.56 bpd
1 bbp = 0.29 GPM
2. Move vertically to
encroach the proper
single stage Head line
3. Move horizontally
to encroach the
proper viscosity line
provided in SSU and
centistokes
cp = centistokes x SG
4. Move vertically to
encroach the
Correction Factors
(CE, CQ, CH) lines
Pump setting depth and size
Two extreme pumping conditions are considered
in figure:
1. Figure (a) and (b) illustrates cases where the

pump rate is much lower than the absolute
open flow. This situation typically occurs when
an undersized pump is used. Undersized
pump is usually operated at maximum
capacity.
2. The other extreme case is a well pumping near

its maximum well capacity, as in fig (c) and
(d). In this case the inflow performance
limits the possible production rate and
not the lift system.
A general observation is that the pumping rate

increases with pump setting depth (e.g. below
the perforations). This because a minimum
backpressure is applied and an efficient gas
separation is achieved.

Centrifugal pump performance curve
Pump manufacturers publish pump performance curves that
describe head/flow-rate relationship. These curves are typically
published for one stage

Multistage Centrifugal Pumps
● Centrifugal pumps are built with multiple stages in SERIES.
● The outlet of the lower stage becomes the inlet of the upper
stage.
● Therefore, the pressure is additive across the stages.
● If we assume that we have the same flow rate through each

stage, then the total pressure (Ptot) the pump produces at a
given flow rate is equal to the pressure that one stage
produces (Pstage) multiplied by the number of stages (N):
Ptot = Pstage x N

Centrifugal Pumps Hydraulic horsepower
● The actual work done by the pump (the hydraulic horsepower or

hhp) on the fluid is.
hhp = 1.7 x 10-5 ΔP Q
were:
ΔP is the pressure difference across the pump (psi)
Q is the flow rate (bpd)
● So, the pumping power is proportional to the differential

pressure ΔP and flow rate Q.

Hydraulic horsepower vs Fluid rate

400
hhp = 1.7 x 10-5 ΔP Q
350
ΔP 2000 psi
Hydraulic horsepower hhp
300
250 ΔP 1500 psi
200
150 ΔP 1000 psi
100
ΔP 500 psi
50
0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000
Fuid rate bpd

Total
Dynamic
Head (TDH)

ESP design: Total Dynamic Head
At the end of this section, you will be able to:
● Calculate the TDH by breaking it down into its three

components:
− HTHP
− Net Vertical Lift (NVL)
− Hfriction
● Explain the concept of NVL compared to true fluid level
● Convert from TDH to Pressure and vice-versa

Calculation of
Total Dynamic Head
(TDH)

TDH is the sum of three basic components:
1. the Well-Head Tubing Pressure (HTHP) at a given

liquid production rate, which acts as backpressure.
2. the net hydrostatic pressure acting on the pump,

named Net Vertical Lift (NVL) referring to the vertical
distance (elevation) which the fluid must be lifted.
3. the frictional pressure drop that occurs in the tubing at

a given liquid rate, named Total Friction Loss (Hfriction).
TDH = HTHP + NVL + Hfr

The TDH's three components
1
2
3

Well-Head
Tubing Pressure
(HTHP)

ESP design: Head Tubing Pressure
Well-Head Tubing Pressure
Well-Head Tubing Pressure is sometimes called "Surface Pressure",
"Back Pressure" or even "Flow-line Pressure". Actually the most
accurate term is "Tubing Discharge Pressure" since this is the pressure
at the discharge of the tubing from the well.
● For the purposes of this example, we will assume that the Well-Head
Tubing Pressure (THP) is 500 psi.
● To convert the THP in HEAD (HTHP ):

P THP
H  2.31  2.31  H THP
 
Where γ is the specific gravity of pumped fluid (water=1)
If γ = 0.8
HTHP = 2.31 x 500/0.8 = 1444 ft

Net Vertical Lift
NVL

ESP design: Net Vertical Lift
Net vertical lift
● The Net Vertical Lift (NVL) is the vertical distance

through which the fluid must be lifted to get to
the surface.
● Regardless of where the pump is set, or well

inclination, the Net Vertical Lift will NOT change.




Net vertical lift
As already mentioned, the net vertical lift is the hydrostatic

pressure acting on the pump.
From another point, net vertical lift is also the vertical

distance through which the fluid must be lifted by the
pump, that is its Head.
For the purposes of this example, we will assume we are given

a fluid level of 4000 feet from surface (vertical distance).
Net Vertical Lift = 4000 ft

Total
Friction Loss

ESP design: Friction Loss
Friction or Dynamic Loss
Friction or Dynamic loss is an energy loss (we actually

measure it as a pressure loss) due to viscous shear of the
flowing fluid.
The Friction Pressure determination is a relatively easy task

when we are dealing wit single-phase liquid, but is a complex
issue in case of complex fluid mixtures.
For frictional pressure drop calculation, make reference to

Well Deliverability section where this topic is discussed.

ESP design: Friction Loss
Total Friction or Dynamic Loss

● For the purposes of this example, we will assume that the Friction
losses to move the producing fluid from the pump depth to the
surface, at operating pump rate, have been estimated in 250 psi.
● To convert the pressure friction losses in friction HEAD:
P Pfriction
H  2.31  2.31  H fr
 
where γ is the specific gravity of pumped fluid (water=1)
If γ = 0.8
Hfr = 2.31 x 250/0.8 = 722 ft

1
HTHP = 1444 ft
Hfriction = 722 ft
2
3 NVL = 4000 ft
TDH is the sum of three

components:
HTHP + NVL + Hfr

1444 + 4000 + 722 =
6166 ft

ESP
basic design
-
step-by-step
procedure
Main source: Petroleum Production Engineering. A Computer–Assisted Approach B. Guo, W.C. Lions, A. Ghalambor - Elsevier
ESP design: Step-by-step
procedure
Factors affecting the ESP selection
The following factors are important in designing ESP applications :
1. PI of the well
2. Casing and tubing size
3. Static liquid level.
ESP are usually for high PI.
The outside diameter (OD) of the ESP is determined by the minimum

inside diameter (ID) of the borehole.
There must be clearance around the outside of the pump to allow the
free flow of produced fluid to the pump intake.

procedure
Conceptual ESP design procedure
The following procedure can be used for the ESP selection:
1. Starting from well inflow performance relationship (IPR),

determine a desirable liquid production rate QLP
2. Select a pump size from the manufacturer's specification that has

minimum deliverability flow rate QLD , that is, QLD > QLP
3. From the IPR, determine the flowing bottom-hole pressure Pwf at

the pump-delivering flow rate QLD (not the QLP ).
Remember: if the reservoir is not capable to feed the pump (due to

low PI, high Skin, strong depletion, etc....) the pump cannot give us
any oil !!!!
cont/...
procedure
4. Assuming zero casing pressure and neglecting gas weight in the annulus,
calculate the minimum pump depth (to be sure that the pump is
submerged in the producing fluid) by:
Dpump = D – (Pwf – Psuction)/ 0.433SGL

where:
Dpump = minimum pump dept, ft
D = depth of producing interval, ft
Pwf = flowing bottom-hole pressure, psi
Psuction = required suction pressure of pump, 150-300 psi
SGL = specific gravity of producing fluid (1 freshwater)
The above equation is derived from pressure balance equation:
Pwf = (D – Dpum) x (0.433SGL ) + Psuction
The Pwf is balanced by hydrostatic column (D – Dpum)SGL , and the required

suction pressure Psuction .
July 2010 G. Moricca cont/...
51
ESP design: Step-by-step procedure
5. Determine the required pump discharge pressure based on wellhead
flowing pressure and tubing flow gradient at pump-delivering flow
rate QLp . This can be carried out using a dedicated computer program,
derived from a proper Kermit E. Brown Flowing Pressure Gradient working
graph if available, or by Hazen-Williams approach (NO free gas).
6. Calculate the required pump pressure differential

ΔP = Pdischarge – Psuction
Pdischarge = 150 -300 psi
and then the convert the required pump pressure differential in required
pumping head (H) by: H = 2.31(ΔP/SGL)
7. From the manufacturers' pump characteristics curve, read pump head or

head per stage. Then calculate the required number of stages.
8. Determine the total power required (W) for the pump by multiplying the
power per stage by the number of stages.
9. Correct the total power required for the density of pumped fluid

Example - ESP basic design
Problem
A 10.000 ft-depth well produces 32 °API (SG = 0.865) oil with GOR
50 scf/std and zero water cut through a 3-in (2.992-in ID) tubing in
a 7-in casing.
The oil has a formation volume factor of 1.25 and average viscosity
of 5 cp. Gas specific gravity is 0.7.
The surface and bottom-hole temperature are 70 °F and 170 °F,
respectively.
The IPR of the well can be described by the Vogel model with a
reservoir pressure 4.350 psi and AOF 15.000 stb/day.
If the well is to be put in production with an ESP to produce liquid at
8.000 stb/day against a flowing wellhead pressure of 100 psi,
determine the required specifications for an ESP for this application.
Assume the minimum suction pressure is 200 psi.
cont/...
Solution
1. Vogel’s well IPR gives:

  Qo  
Pwf  0.125PR  81  80   1
  Qmax  
Pwf = (0.125 x 4350) x {[81-80x(8000/15000)]½ -1}
Pwf = 2823 psi
According to Vogel equation the reservoir is capable to produce

8000 bpd with Pwf = 2823 psi.
cont/...

Solution
2. Arbitrarily we select an ESP capable to produce a rate 25% higher
than the expected production rate. Insofar, the required liquid
throughput at pump is:
QLD = (1.25) x (8.000) = 10.000 bbl/day
3. Select an ESP that

delivers liquid flow
rate QLD = 10.000
bbl/day in the
neighbourhood
of its maximum
efficiency.
cont/...
Solution
4. The minimum pump depth is:

Dpump = D – (Pwf – Psuction)/ (0.433xSGL)
Dpump = 10000 – (2823 -200)/(0.433x0.865)
Dpump = 2997 ft
To maximise present and future gas separation efficiency use pump

depth of: 10000 – 200 = 9800 ft
5. Being pump depth 9800 ft, the pump suction pressure is:
Psuction = Pwf - (D – Dpum) x (0.433 x SGL )
Psuction = 2823 – (10000 – 9800) x (0.433 x 0.865)
Psuction = 2748 psia
cont/...

6. Calculate the outflow pressure:
Pout = PTHP + Pgravity + Pfr
a) PTHP = 100 psi
b) Pgravity = Fluid Gradient x Elevation

Fluid Gradient = Fluid density /144
Fluid density = Fluid SG x 62.366 (water density)
Fluid Gradient = Fluid SG x 62.366/144 =
= 0.865 x (62.366/144) = 0.865 x 0.433 = 0.3745 psi/ft
Pgravity = 0.375 x 9800 = 3671 psi
c) Pfr = F x Gavg
where:
F=Friction factor = Unitary friction factor (f) x measured depth
Gavg= Average Fluid Gradient
cont/....
The unitary friction factor (f) for tubing ID 2.992 in at 8000 bpd,
according to Hazen-Williams equation is:
 100  8000 
1.852 1.852
 100Q 
f  2.083  ID  4.8655
 2.083  2.9924.8655  174 ft /1000 ft
 34.3C   34.3  120 
F = unitary friction factor (f) x measured depth

F = 174 (ft/1000 ft) x (9.8 thousand ft) = 1705 ft
Pfr = F x Fluid Gradient (Gavg) = 1705 ft x 0.375 psi/ft = 639 psi
Therefore :
Pout = PTHP + Pgrvt + Pfr = 100+3671+638 = 4409 psi
7. The required pump pressure differential is:

ΔP = Pdischarge – Psuction = 4409 – 2748 = 1661 psi
8. The required pumping head (H) or Total Dynamic Head (TDH) is:
H = (2.31 x ΔP)/SGL = (2.31 x 1661) / 0.865 = 4436 ft
9. At throughput 10.000 bbl/day, the pump characteristic chart gives

a pumping head of 6000 ft for the 100-stages pump, which yields
60 ft pumping head per stage.
The required number of stages is: 4436/60 = 74 stages
10.At throughput 10.000 bbl/day, the pump characteristic chart gives

the power of the 100-stages of 600 hp, which yield 6 hp/stage.
The required power (W) for 74 stages is:
6 x 74 x 0.865 = 384 hp

Summary of results
1.Minimum pump depth: 2997 ft
2.Pump suction pressure @ 9800 ft: 2748 psi

3.Outflow pressure: 4409 psi
―PTHP = 100 psi
―Pgravity = 3671 psi
―Pfr = 638 psi
―Friction factor = 1705 ft
4.Required pump pressure differential: 1661 psi
5.Pumping head (H) or Total Dynamic Head (TDH): 4436 ft
4.Number of stages: 74
5.Required power : 384 hp60
The same results can be obtained applying

the Total Dynamic Head (TDH) approach

Total Dynamic Head (TDH) approach

TDH = 2.31/SGpf x (PTHP – CHP) + NLV + Hfr and
NLV = TVD - Pwf/Gavg

where:
− SGpf is the specific gravity of the produced fluid = 0.865
− Gavg is the average produced fluid gradient = 0.3745 psi/ft
− PTHP is the tubing wellhead pressure = 100 psi
− CHP is the casing-head pressure, in such case = zero psi
− Pwf is the bottom-hole flowing pressure = 2823 psi
− NLV is the TVD of dynamic fluid level ft
− TVD is the Total vertical depth = 10.000 ft
− Hfr is the tubing frictional head loss, equal to the Friction factor F = 1705 ft
NLV = TVD - Pwf/Gavg = 10.000 – 2823/0.3745 = 2462 ft
TDH = 2.31/SGpf x (PTHP – CHP) + NLV + Hfr =

2.31/0.865 x 100 + 2462 + 1705 = 4436 ft

Workshop
Session
-
ESP
basic design

Workshop session
ESP basic design
Problem
Using the same data of previous example, determine the new

required specifications for an ESP supposing to complete the well
with a 4½ -in (4.00 in ID) tubing and compare the two cases.
Solution
The calculations from step 1 to 4 are the same.

Workshop session: ESP basic design
5. Calculate the outflow pressure:
Pout = PTHP + Pgravity + Pfr
a) PTHP = 100 psi (the same)
b) Pgravity = Fluid Gradient x Elevation
Fluid Gradient = Fluid density /144

Fluid density = Fluid SG x 62.366 (water density)
Fluid Gradient = Fluid SG x 62.366/144 =
= 0.865 x (62.366/144) = 0.865 x 0.433 = 0.375 psi/ft
Pgravity = 0.375 x 9800 = 3671 psi
c) Pfr = F x Gavg
where:
F= Friction factor = Unitary friction factor (f) x measured depth
Gavg= Average Fluid Gradient
The Pfr will change due to the different TBG ID adopted.

July 2010 G. Moricca cont/....
64
The unitary friction factor (f) for tubing ID 4.00 in at 8000 bpd,
according to Hazen-Williams equation is:
 100  8000 
1.852 1.852
 100Q 
f  2.083  ID4.8655  2.083  4.004.8655  44.5 ft /1000 ft
 34.3C   34.3  120 
F = unitary friction factor (f) x measured depth

F = 44.5 (ft/1000 ft) x (9.8 thousand ft) = 436 ft
Pfr = F x Gavg = 436 ft x 0.372 psi/ft = 162 psi
Therefore :
Pout = PTHP + Pgrvt + Pfr = 100+3671+162 = 3933 psi
6. The required pump pressure differential is:
ΔP = Pdischarge – Psuction = 3933 – 2748 = 1185 psi
7. The required pumping head (H) is:

H = (2.31 x ΔP)/SGL = (2.31 x 1185) / 0.865 = 3151 ft
8. At throughput 10000 bbl/day, the pump characteristic chart gives

a pumping head of 6000 ft for the 100-stages pump, which yields
60 ft pumping head per stage.
The required number of stages is: 3151/60 = 53 stages
9. At throughput 10000 bbl/day, the pump characteristic chart gives

the power of the 100-stages of 600 hp, which yield 6 hp/stage.
The required power (W) for 53 stages is:
6 x 53 x 0.865 = 275 hp

Workshop session
ESP basic design
case (a) case (b) difference

TBG ID in 2.992 4.000 (b) - (a) %
Pfr psi 638 162 -476 -75
Pout psi 4.409 3.933 -476 -11
Pdis - Psuc psi 1.661 1.185 -476 -29
Head ft 4.436 3.151 -1285 -29
Nr stages nr 74 53 -21 -28
Power Watt 384 275 -109 -28

Recommended
Operating Range
(ROR)
Operational Factors
affecting the
ESP performance
Main source: Electrical Submersible Pumps Manual. Gabor Takacs. Elsevier Inc
ESP Recommended Operating
Range - ROR
At the end of this section, you will be able to Understand:
● What causes down-thrust and up-thrust in a pump impeller

● The concept of net thrust in a pump impeller
● The difference among Floater and Compression Stage
Construction
● The significance of the recommended operating range for a
given pump.
● The Cavitation phenomenon and the way to avoid or reduce
this damaging event

Range - ROR
A good guideline for appropriate volumes for a given pump stage is the
recommended operating range (ROR). This is highlighted in yellow on the
pump curve.
This range is based on a combination of factors, such as the relative efficiency and
the efficiencies of other pumps…
…but mainly the
criteria is
acceptable
pump run-life
due to THRUST
and CAVITATION
Axial
Thrust Forces

Range - ROR
Axial Thrust Forces
● During the pumping action, various unbalanced forces arise on the centrifugal
pump’s impeller and these forces are directly transmitted to the pump shaft.
● The radial components of these forces are taken up by the housing of the ESP
pump and do not significantly affect the proper operation.
● Axial force components are much more detrimental if not taken up by
thrust bearings.

Range - ROR
Axial Thrust Forces
● Axial forces in ESP pump can be

classified in two groups:
― Static and
― Dynamic
● Static forces arise due to the

weight of pump parts in the
produced fluid and act downward:
― the weight of the impellers, and
― the weight of the pump shaft
● Dynamic forces are the results of

pumping action and are related to
the flow of the produced fluid
through the pump’s stages.

Range - ROR
Dynamic forces
The Dynamic forces take the following
form:
● Forces resulting from the suction and
discharge pressures acting on the two
shrouds of the impeller. The net of these
forces always acts downward.
● The net inertial force (momentum)

due to the change in flow direction inside
the pump stage. Since the velocity of the
produced fluid inside the impeller is much
higher at the discharge side than at the
suction, this force always acts
upward.
● The axial load due to the pump discharge

pressure acting on the cross-section area
of the pump shaft, acting downward.
Range - ROR
Dynamic forces
● The forces are greater toward the
periphery of the impeller because of
the rotation of the fluid.
● A balancing rig and balancing holes

drilled in the top shroud of the
impeller are used as to reduce the
axial thrust.
● These modifications reduce the

volumetric efficiency of the stage
but at the same tame greatly reduce
the axial forces acting on the
impeller.

Range - ROR
Momentum
As everybody know the momentum (M) of a body is defined as the product of its
mass (m) and velocity (v)
m v M=mxv
Newton's second law

Newton's second law states that the force applied to a body produces a proportional
acceleration; the relationship between the two is: F = ma
where:
F is the force applied, m is the mass of the body, and a is the body's acceleration.
If the body is subject to multiple forces at the same time, then the acceleration is
proportional to the vector sum (that is, the net force): F1 + F2 + ····· + Fn = Fnet = ma
The second law can also be shown to relate the net force and the momentum M of the
body:
Fnet = ma = m (dv/dt) = d(mv)/dt = dM/dt
The variation of the momentum (due to velocity variation) generates a net force.
Range - ROR
Inertial Forces
● As already mentioned, the fluid entering the bottom of the impeller is forced
to change direction. This change in momentum exerts an upward force on
the impeller.
● This is the only one that creates up-thrust
Direction of Fluid Flow

Range - ROR
Axial thrust versus pumping rate
● Down-thrust is basically determined by the head developed since its main
component comes from the pump’s discharge pressure acting on the top and
bottom shrouds of the impeller.
● Its variation with pumping rate, therefore,
follows the shape of the pump’s head-rate
performance curve.
● It is at a maximum at shut-in conditions:

pump running with discharge closed.
● Up-thrust forces are the result of the

change in inertial forces and are
proportional to the kinetic energy of the
liquid pumped. Thus their variation with
pumping rate follows a second-order
curve.
● The sum of up- and down-thrust gives the

net thrust.
Range - ROR
Net Thrust
● The net thrust on an impeller is the sum of three components:
1. Pressure causing down-thrust
2. The weight of the impeller causing down-thrust
3. Change in fluid momentum causing up-thrust.
● The impellers are designed to be

balanced near the best efficiency
point (BEP) of the stage.
● To ensure ideal conditions ESP pumps

must be operated at the rate belonging
to that point.
● Since in real applications this point is

almost impossible to accomplish, there
is always an axial thrust acting on the
pump shaft that must be taken care of.

Range - ROR
Axial forces compensation
The axial forces developed in ESP pump mast be compensated, otherwise the
axial movement of the impellers and the pump shaft lead to mechanical
damage of the stages.
Elimination of such forces is accomplished differently in stages with fixed
impellers from stages with floating impellers.
Floating Fixed
impeller impeller

Range - ROR
Fixed vs Floating impellers
● In fixed impeller pumps all axial
forces are transmitted to the Upthrust
pump shaft and have to be balanced Bearing
by the main thrust bearing,

situated in the protector section
of the ESP unit. This solution Thrust
Runner
necessitates the use of thrust bearing
of relatively large capacity. Downthrust
Bearing
● In floating impeller pumps most of
the axial forces are compensated
by frictional forces arising in the
up- and down-thrust washers
installed on the impellers, requiring
smaller-capacity thrust bearing.
Range - ROR
Floating impellers
The benefits of floating impeller design include:
● The elimination of having to fix the impellers axially, a time-consuming work
requiring high precision.
● The building of pumps with several hundreds of stage is possible.
● Smaller capacity thrust bearings are needed in the protector section because
most of the hydraulic thrust is absorbed inside the pump.
● Lower investment cost, as compared to fixed impeller pumps.
Limitations are related to the load bearing capacity of available thrust bearings,
which, in turn, are restricted by the annular space available:
● Such pump are usually manufactured in smaller diameters, up to a size of
about 6 in., and
● The recommended operating range is somewhat narrower than for the
same pump with fixed impeller.
Range - ROR
Fixed impellers
―Since the stages are not equipped with down-thrust washers, the axial thrust
developed on them must be fully carried by the unit’s main thrust bearing in
the protector section.
―Pumps with such stages are often called “compression” pumps and are
commonly used in large-size ESP units (diameter greater than 6 in.)
Benefits of fixed impeller design include:

● They are capable to produce large volumes of liquid.
● They may have a wider operating range than pumps of the same type with
floating impellers.
Limitations of fixed impeller design include:

● They are most difficult to manufacture because impellers must be fitted very
precisely along the pump shaft.
● Higher investment cost.
● The maximum number of stages in one pump is limited to about 80 to 100.
● Protector with high capacity thrust bearings must be used.
Range - ROR
Based on the previous discussion, there is some logic to
labeling the curve as shown below.
Up-Thrust
Down-Thrust

Range - ROR
Cavitation
Cavitation may occur when the pressure at any place inside the pump fall
below the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid.
This involves the formation of small vapor bubbles which, when taken by the
flowing liquid to places at higher pressure, will suddenly collapse producing a
shock wave.
Although the collapse of a
cavity is a relatively low-
energy event, highly
localized collapses can
erode metals, such as steel,
over time.
The pitting caused by the
collapse of cavities produces
great wear on components
and can dramatically
shorten a pump's lifetime.

Range - ROR
Cavitation
Cavitation may occur in the ESP pump impeller’s eye where a

great increase of velocity take place.
This, according to Bernoulli’s law, involves a sudden decrease

of flowing pressure.
Cavitation can be prevented by the presence of a

adequate length of liquid column (pressure) above the
pump intake.

Range - ROR
Some examples of impeller
damaged by cavitation

Electricity and
Magnetism
-
Review of
Fundamentals
Electricity and Magnetism: Review
of Fundamentals
At the end of this section, you will be able to

understand the Electrical fundamentals
relating to:
―Alternating current
―AC circuit
―AC power

of Fundamentals
Three-phase electric power
Three-phase electric power is a common method of

alternating-current electric power transmission.
It is a type of polyphase system, and is the most

common method used by electric power distribution
grids worldwide to distribute power.
It is also used to power large motors and other

large load.
ElectricityESP
and Magnetism:
System Review
- Subsurface Main
of Fundamentals
Components and their Operational Features
Induced Magnetic Field
Current
flowing in a
conductor
induces a
magnetic field
around the
conductor.

of Fundamentals
Electricity and Magnetism
When the wire is

looped, the force
field created
looks very much S
like a bar
magnet has
N
been placed
inside it based
on the flux lines.

of Fundamentals
Magnetic Force
If another wire loop is
placed inside a magnetic
field, nothing will happen
to it.
Fixed Magnetic Field
On the other hand, if
current is flowing through Wire Loop
that wire loop, it will
create a magnetic field
around it.
Current Source
With two magnetic fields,

there are attractive and
repulsive forces and
thus, a force on the wire
loop.

of Fundamentals
Magnetic Field
If the loop is in line
with the magnetic
field, the secondary
magnetic field will
be perpendicular to N N
the main field.
Force +
Current
S
flowing + Force
N S Force
through N
wire Force
This will cause two S S

equal and opposite a) Perspective b) End View c) End View
forces (a torque) on
the loop causing it to
rotate until the
forces balance.
of Fundamentals
Rotating Magnetic Field
The forces will reach a
steady state and
hold the magnet in
place as long as
current is applied.
This is not much

rotation.
To cause rotation, the

field must rotate.
This is accomplished
with the alternating
current.
of Fundamentals
This figure illustrates one voltage
cycle of a three-phase system,
labeled 0 to 360° (2 π radians) along
the time axis.
The plotted line represents the

variation of instantaneous
voltage (or current) with respect
to time. This cycle will repeat 50 or
60 times per second, depending
on the power system frequency.
of Fundamentals
Three-phase electric power
In a three-phase system, three circuit
conductors carry three alternating currents
(of the same frequency) which reach
their instantaneous peak values at
different times.
Taking one conductor as the reference, the
other two currents are delayed in time
by one-third and two-thirds of one
cycle of the electrical current.
Three-phase electric motor

The rotating magnetic field of a three-
phase motor generated by a three-phase
electric power

of Fundamentals
Motor’s rotational Synchronous speed
The speed of the AC motor is determined primarily by the
frequency of the AC supply and the number of poles in the stator
winding, according to the relation:
120 f
N synch 
p
where:
Nsynch = Synchronous speed, RPM
f = AC power frequency, Hz
p = Number of poles in the stator

of Fundamentals
Synchronous speed and Torque
Synchronous speed is the absolute upper limit of motor speed.
At synchronous speed (or NO load speed), there is no difference
between rotor speed and rotating field speed, so no voltage is
induced in the rotor bars, hence no torque is developed.
Torque is the force that causes an

object to rotate (wheels of the car,
ESP’s shaft). Torque consist of a
force acting on distance.
Torque, like work, is measured is

pound-feet (lb-ft). However,
torque, unlike work, may exist
even though no movement
occurs (you are drive your
electrical car with break activated).
of Fundamentals
Slip and Torque
If the motor is running under load (driving the ESP’s shaft) the rotor
speed will be less than this calculated synchronous speed, in other
words, the rotor rotates slower than the magnetic field.
So, motor slip is necessary for torque generation.
The rotor speed is just slow enough to cause the proper amount
of rotor current to flow, so that the resulting torque sufficient
to overcome friction losses and drive the load.
This speed difference between the rotor and magnetic field, called
slip, is normally referred to as a percentage of synchronous speed:
N s N
S 100
where: Ns
S is the slip, %
Ns is the synchronous speed, RPM
N is the actual speed, RPM
of Fundamentals
Motor Slip
The motor slip depends on motor parameters. As seen in the table,
smaller motors and lower-speed motors typically have higher relative
slip. However, high-slip large motors and low-slip small motors are also
available.

of Fundamentals
Polyphase motors
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) classifies polyphase induction motors according to
locked rotor torque and current, breakdown torque, pull up torque, and percent slip.
● Locked rotor torque, also called starting torque is
the minimum torque that the motor develops when it is
initially turned on. Starting torque is the amount required
to overcome the inertia of a standstill.
● Pull up torque is the minimum torque developed

during the period of acceleration from rest to the speed
that breakdown torque occurs.
● Breakdown torque is the maximum torque that the
motor develops at rated voltage and frequency, without
an abrupt drop in speed. High breakdown torque is
necessary for applications that may undergo frequent
overloading.
● Full load torque is produced by a motor functioning at a

rated speed and horsepower. The operating life is
significantly diminished in motors continually run
at levels exceeding full load torque.
● Synchronous speed is the speed at which no torque is

generated by a motor. This occurs in motors that run Slip
while not connected to a load. At synchronous speed,
the rotor turns at exactly the same rate as the stator's
rotating magnetic field. Since there is no slip, there is no
torque produced.
of Fundamentals
Polyphase motors
The figure illustrates typical speed-torque curves for NEMA Design A, B, C, and D motors.
Design A motors have a higher breakdown torque
than Design B motors and are usually designed for
a specific use. Slip is 5%, or less.
Design B motors account for most of the

induction motors sold. Often referred to as general
purpose motors, slip is 5% or less.
Design C motors have high starting torque with

normal starting current and low slip. This design is
normally used where breakaway loads are high at
starting, but normally run at rated full load, and
are not subject to high overload demands after
running speed has been reached. Slip is 5% or
less.
Design D motors exhibit high slip (5 to 13%),

very high starting torque, low starting current, and
low full load speed. Because of high slip, speed
can drop when fluctuating loads are encountered.
This design is subdivided into several groups that
vary according to slip or the shape of the speed-
torque curve. These motors are usually available
only on a special order basis.
of Fundamentals
Motor’s nameplate data
Motors are designed to yield optimal performance when operating at
or near by the nameplate value.
The nameplate data includes:
― Rated voltage
― Rated full-load amps
― Frequency
― Phase
― Rated full-load speed

of Fundamentals
Calculating Full-load Torque
Full-load torque is the torque to produce the rated power at full speed of the
motor.
To calculate motor full-load torque, apply this formula:
HP  5252
T
where: RPM
T = torque, lb-ft
HP = horsepower hp (1hp = 33000 lb-ft/minute)
5252 = constant (33000 divided by 3.14 x 2 = 5252)
RPM = revolutions per minute
Example:
What is the FLT (Full-load torque) of a 30HP motor operating at 1725 RPM ?
30  5252
T  91.34 lb - ft
1725
of Fundamentals
Calculating Horsepower
Electrical power is rated in horsepower or watts. A horsepower is a unit of power equal
to 746 watts or 33,0000 lb-ft per minute (550 lb-ft per second). A watt is a unit of
measure equal to the power produced by a current of 1 amp across the potential difference
of 1 volt. It is 1/746 of 1 horsepower. The watt is the base unit of electrical power. Motor
power is rated in horsepower and watts.
To calculate the horsepower of a motor when current and efficiency, and voltage
are known, apply this formula:
V  I  Eff
where:
HP 
746
HP = horsepower, hp
V = voltage, Volt
I = current, Amp
Example:
What is the horsepower of a 230v motor pulling 4 amps and having 82% efficiency ?
230  4  0.82 754.4

HP    1 Hp
746 746
of Fundamentals
Calculating Horsepower
To calculate the horsepower of a motor when the speed and
torque are known, apply this formula:
RPM  T
HP 
5252
Example:
What is the horsepower of a 1725 RPM motor with a FLT 3.1 lb-ft ?
1725  3.1 5347.5

HP    1 Hp
5252 5252

of Fundamentals
Voltage drop in a Resistance electric circuit
● If an AC current flows through a resistance component (incandescence
lamp, resistance oven, etc), the voltage drop across it is in the direction of
the current, thus voltage and current are in phase.
● The magnitude of the voltage drop is determined from the well-known
Ohm’s law:
U  R I
where:
U = voltage, V
R = resistance, ohms
I = current, A

of Fundamentals
Voltage drop in circuit containing resistive, inductive
and capacitive components
● In case of inductances (like the coils in an electric motor), the flow of electric AC current
produces magnetic effect. If the current increases, the system stores energy in the magnetic
field which is released when the current starts to decrease. Thus magnetic effect react upon
the original current with the end result that current and voltage are not in phase.
● The magnitude of the voltage drop in such case is determined from the generalized
Ohm’s law:
U  ZI
Z  R 2   X L  X C 2
where:
U = voltage, V
I = current, A
Z = impedance, ohms
R = resistance, ohms
XL = inductive resistance, ohms
VC = capacitive resistance, ohms
of Fundamentals
Line Current versus Real current
For an three phase electric AC current induction motor (ESP electric

motor) we have an:
― Line current and,
― Real current
Magnetizing
current
Φ
Real current
Ireal = Iline cos Φ

of Fundamentals
Power in an electric circuit
● Power in an electric circuit is the rate of flow of energy past a
given point of the circuit.
● In alternating current circuits, energy storage elements such as

inductance and capacitance may result in periodic reversals of
the direction of energy flow.
● The portion of power flow that, averaged over a complete cycle

of the AC waveform, results in net transfer of energy in one
direction is known as real power.

of Fundamentals
ESP’s motor Power Factor
● The power factor (PF) of an AC electric power system is defined as the ratio of the
real electric power flowing to the load to the apparent electric power.
● Real electric power or motor power is the capacity of the circuit for performing
work. Often designed as KW and measured in kW units, is found by considering that the
real current (Ireal ):
Ireal = Iline cos Φ
KV = (1.732 x 10-3) x Uline x Iline cos Φ
● The apparent electric power (often designated as KVA and measured in thousands of
volt amperes) is the product of the voltage (U) and current (I) of the circuit:
KVA = (1.732 x 10-3) x Uline x Iline
● Insofar, the power factor (PF) will be:

PF = KV /KVA = cos Φ
● Motor power:
KV = (1.732 x 10-3 ) x Uline x PF
2nd day ESP course end
thanks for the attention

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Electric Submersible Pump Systems Course

ESP Basic Design

July 2010 G. Moricca 1

July 2010 G. Moricca 2

 Conceptual ESP’s design

 Total Dynamic Head (TDH)

 ESP basic design: Step by step procedure

 Workshop Session: ESP basic design

 Operational Factors affecting the ESP performance

 Electricity and Magnetism: Review of Fundamentals

July 2010 G. Moricca 3

July 2010 G. Moricca 4

At the end of this section, you will be able

July 2010 G. Moricca 5

July 2010 G. Moricca 6

A centrifugal pump, according the Bernoulli Equation, converts

July 2010 G. Moricca 7

The Bernoulli Equation states: v 2

This maximum head is mainly determined by the outside diameter of

It is the resistance to the pump's flow that is read on a pressure

A pump does not create pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure is a

Head is a measurement of the height of the liquid column the pump

So, the required power to achieve a certain fluid pressure - or head – is

July 2010 G. Moricca 11

Calculate Head developed by one single stage:

July 2010 G. Moricca 13

Discharge Regulation of Centrifugal pump

It is often necessary to adapt the pump capacity to a

The capacity of a centrifugal pump can be regulated either at

July 2010 G. Moricca 14

● The speed of the pump can be varied with variable speed

● The change in power

● Explain the purpose of a pump (any pump) in a well.

● Understand the Basic concepts for ESP selection

● Determine the pump suction and discharge pressure

July 2010 G. Moricca 18

Basic concepts for ESP selection

Sizing an oil-well pump comprises two primary duties:

1. Determining the required pumping pressure

2. Selecting a pump to fulfil the pumping requirements

The pumping requirement is merely the pumping pressure

July 2010 G. Moricca 19

The required pumping

1. The well’s inflow performance

2. The tubing performance curve

July 2010 G. Moricca 20

This figure provides (graphically) the

July 2010 G. Moricca 21

Different pumps do this in different ways:

● Centrifugal pumps have a distinct pressure/flow profile for

The characteristics curves for centrifugal pumps are reported at

― 3500 RPM with 60 Hertz AC electrical supply (typical in USA)

In most pumping applications the electrical power supply to the

The constant-speed characteristic curve therefore provides all the

July 2010 G. Moricca 23

W = Wwater x SGproduced fluid

July 2010 G. Moricca 24

1. Figure (a) and (b) illustrates cases where the

2. The other extreme case is a well pumping near

A general observation is that the pumping rate