OPERATING ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS BELOW THE PERFORATIONS

The electrical submersible pump (ESP) uses the flow of well fluid to c ool the motor. This, traditionally, has been done by landing the ESP a bove the perforations or by using a shroud to redirect the fluid aroun d the motor. This paper examines some of the advantages and disadvanta ges of ESP operation below the perforation. Several equipment options necessary for this type of operation are presented, along with an oper ator's field experience where below perforation operation looked to be advantageous.