Real-Time Downhole Progressive Cavity Pump Monitoring

Downhole, real-time artificial lift pump monitoring systems are an indispensable tool in managing reservoir production, equipment run-life and performance by acting as your “eye into the reservoir.” Producers using monitoring downhole have access to real-time well bore and pump information, which creates a competitive advantage in optimizing wellbore and reservoir performance. “Seeing” the reservoir through downhole monitoring allows a producer to measure the economical effectiveness of past well intervention decisions, leading to better future decisions.

Installation of the downhole sensor

In essence, the value of implementing an artificial lift pump monitoring solution has the potential to increase, sustain or create revenue. It will also help avoid, reduce or eliminate cost, therefore improving the bottom line. Recent estimates indicate that wells equipped with artificial lift pump monitoring systems can see a 10 to 18 percent increase in production. To realize these increases in production, a reliable, accurate, high-resolution downhole sensor measuring pressures, temperatures and vibration is required. An advanced surface data acquisition solution and qualified service personnel with field experience are also important to any successful artificial lift pump monitoring systems.
 

Monitoring Progressive Cavity Pumps

A client and major end-user in South America began monitoring its reservoirs and progressive cavity pumps (PCP) using a real-time, downhole monitoring system. The end-user was using variable speed controllers set at 35 Hz during the first month of installation. As the end-user’s pumps began to wear, pressure would build up in the well and less fluid was produced.

The monitoring system setup

Without sensors, the end-user did not know to increase the pump speed and was unaware of the reduced pump efficiency. Alternatively, when pressure decreased, the end-user did not know to reduce pump speed to prevent premature pump failure. This critical information was unavailable using a variable frequency drive (VFD) alone, which provided only an estimate of the pump speed and control of the pump.