Chapter 6 – Analysis and Optimization

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analysis and optimization of electrical submersible pumps (ESP) installation. The node points of the ESP installation being defined, application of systems analysis principles permits the calculation of the liquid rate occurring in the production system. Optimum ESP operations, in a general sense, occur when the profit from the production of oil is at a maximum. Since in most cases the pumping rate is prescribed and thus the revenues from oil are given, system optimization is translated into attaining the minimum of operating costs. Operating costs, however, are mainly related to the electric power bill which, in many cases, can reach the level of the initial investment cost already in the unit's first year of operation. Optimizations disregarding the investment costs, mentioned previously, are thus justified when relatively long service lives are expected.