Advanced ESP Configuration Combined with an Intelligent Chemical Program and Monitoring to Improve Run Life in Multiwell Unconventional Operations

Abstract

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) operating in unconventional reservoirs are exposed to complex and highly dynamic conditions driven by multiphase flow behavior, solids production, and chemical interactions. These factors can result in system instability, leading to reduced hydraulic performance and accelerated equipment degradation, which ultimately limit reliability, run life, and uptime. This paper presents a field-scale implementation of an Intelligent Production Optimization (IPO) framework across 24 unconventional wells in the Delaware Basin (3rd Bone Spring, Wolfcamp A, and Wolfcamp B). The approach integrates advanced ESP configurations, adaptive control strategies, continuous chemical treatment, and real-time monitoring to address multiple challenges including free gas, solids and scale deposition, corrosion, and inflow variability. Field implementation resulted in significant improvements in stability and performance. Uptime consistently exceeded 95%, with well events achieving 350–500 days of continuous operation and more than 200% increase in Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). Instability events such as gas interference, flow regime transitions, and solids-related restrictions were significantly reduced. The results demonstrate that ESP performance in unconventional systems is governed by complex mechanisms, and that an integrated approach is essential to improving system operation, extending run life, and maximizing production efficiency.