Downhole ESP Motor Temperature Analysis

• The Challenge: One of the primary causes of failure for a downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP) is motor burnout due to excessive pumping load. The client, a global ESP vendor, contracted EICE to develop an analysis that would reliably predict motor temperature in the downhole oil and gas production environment
• Our Role: EICE provided the advisory engineering services to design and develop the solution algorithm required to analyze the problem and identify remedial solutions (by incorporating a shroud in the design, or operationally, by determining the optimal range of operation)
• Our Approach: The approach was to analyze the effect forced convection on the surface of the motor due to the flow of produced fluids past it (while also incorporating conduction heat transfer effects with the surrounding wellbore). Key factors incorporated in the integrated analysis were reservoir performance, the performance of the pump, fluid PVT behavior, and multiphase wellbore hydraulics. The impact of a shroud was analyzed in the context of its effect on the fluid velocity past the motor. For a given operating scenario, the optimal operating frequency of the motor was determined by balancing the associated load with the velocity past the motor
• Value to the Client: The solution was incorporated into the design procedure employed by the client for downhole ESP installations as an effective way to size a shroud (when needed), and to recommend an operating range for minimizing pump burnout in the longer term

Network Solver Design

• The Challenge: The client markets the leading simulator for the analysis of oil and gas production systems. A critical component of the application engine is the algorithm for the solving multiphase flow networks. The client embarked on an initiative to develop the next generation multiphase network solver based on a generalized Newton approach that is expected significantly improve solution speed, robustness and enhance functionality, all critical requirements for solving optimization problems involving large (100s of wells) gathering systems
• Our Role: EICE provided advisory consulting services in the design of the new solution algorithm. EICE's consultants have several years of industry-leading expertise in solving complex multiphase flow and numerical analysis problems
• Our Approach: EICE consultants advised the client on their extensive practical experience in both network solver implementation and complex multiphase flow analysis through a set of workshops and white papers with the client's development team
• Value to Client: A robust and efficient network solver will be at the center of the client's future production optimization strategy. The significant experience of the EICE consultants in this area is being leveraged to accelerate time to market and minimize development risk.

GIS Integrated Data Management

• The Challenge: EICE was contracted to develop an integrated pipeline data management system for the client, an oil company operating in the Middle East
• Our Role: EICE consultants designed and implemented the overall GIS-based pipeline data management solution
• Our Approach: Our approach was to provide a common solution integrating corporate engineering data, proprietary databases and legacy tools that would leverage live data from the field and provide transparency across multiple disciplines for the support of a collaborative working environment. We also integrated a number of relevant application engines to provide additional surveillance and engineering analysis capability

• Value to Client: The GIS-driven integrated approach to data management has created a common foundation for visualizing the complexities of the pipeline system (both upstream and midstream), which in turn assists with enhancing the operation of the gathering network, managing hydrocarbon production, improving operational safety, and protecting the environment, in addition to helping maintain a competitive edge