Close co-operation is required between the designer, drilling personnel, production personnel, engineering staff, and the representative of the Electrical Submersible Pump supplier.
An integrated discipline approach during the installation phase is important to ensure that the installation is of the required standard, and results in minimum deferral of production.
The quality of work and the procedures employed during installation of Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) equipment are critical factors in the success of an Electrical Submersible Pump application. Care and time taken in assembly and running of Electrical Submersible Pump equipment can prevent premature failure of the equipment, and will extend runlife.
Prior to installation of an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP), a meeting should be held with all personnel involved to discuss the running procedures and safety precautions. Also the following mechanical and electrical safety considerations should be considered:
- If the tubing parts, or is dropped into the well, the reel of cable may be pulled from the spooler towards the rig floor.
- The sheave should be hung with a primary hanging device which should be rated to at least twice the maximum breaking strain of the cable. A secondary safety chain should be tied to the sheave.
- Standard safety procedures for the lifting and handling of heavy equipment should be employed. The weight of the (Electrical Submersible Pump) ESP power cable may exceed 10 tons.
- When electrical power has been connected to the switchboard and junction box, only an electrician or the Electrical Submersible Pump supplier's engineer should open the junction box or switchboard. The electrical supply to the switchboard will be between 380 and 3000 volts. Work on the surface cable requires specialised equipment, and should only be conducted by a suitably qualified electrician.
- Signs should be displayed on the junction box and motor controller, warning of high voltage. The switchboard, motor controller, vented junction box and wellhead must be properly grounded.