Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) completions are not as tolerant to changes in downhole conditions as other forms of artificial lift. Care must be taken to minimize the well PI impairment.
The density of the completion fluid should be reduced to the lowest value permissible and consideration given to relaxing the requirement for maintenance of a full fluid column to surface (for depleted reservoirs incapable of flow). This will ensure that losses will be minimised and pump and motor load at startup (which is proportional to fluid density) will be minimised reducing the stresses imposed on the Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) assembly and the maximum motor temperature.
The cleanliness of the wellbore and well fluid is also essential to avoid damage to the Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) assembly or plugging of intake screens. Solids which may be present on the wellbore include: scale; rust; packer rubbers; electrical tape; debris from perforating guns; ball sealers; mud and cuttings.
Every effort should be made to ensure that all debris, scale, and other solids present are removed by circulation prior to installation of a pump. LCM should not be used.
Following a stimulation care should be taken that all unspent acid or solids are properly removed from the well. If back production of significant quantities of fines or sand is expected after a stimulation, the well should be produced clean using an alternative form of lift prior to Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) installation.
Well deviation and dogleg severity should be checked prior to Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) installation. If the maximum dogleg severity exceeds 3°/100 ft at any point above the pump setting depth, the pump supplier should be consulted to confirm that the Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) assembly will not be damaged while running into the hole.
A scraper and gauge ring should be run prior to Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) installation to ensure that no cement or 'tight spots' are present in the casing. The clearance between an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) assembly and the casing is often small, and damage to the pump or cable may result if the internal diameter of the casing is smaller than expected.