Thermal Performance Testing of a High-Temperature ESP Motor for SAGD Applications

Abstract During 2012, BakerHughes, ConocoPhillips and Nexen Inc. continued their research partnership [Waldner 2011] with a new experimental test program focused on the thermal performance of Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) systems for Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) applications, which was completed in the high-temperature flow loop at C-FER Technologies. Accurately monitoring the internal temperature of the ESP motor is a key consideration when trying to increase the operational longevity of an ESP system for any application; however, as the SAGD process develops, understanding this temperature profile has become more critical. This test program included several tests at various fluid temperatures and ESP operating conditions that helped determine the thermal performance of the ESP motor. Another unique aspect of this test program was the incorporation of two different temperature monitoring methods at approximately the same position on the internal and external base of the ESP motor: one internal probe positioned near the motor windings via a fiber optic sensor and one external skin temperature RTD positioned on the motor surface to monitor this important temperature differential. This paper presents the equipment and instrumentation used, and demonstrates some of the more interesting test results, thus providing further insight into the thermal performance of this ESP motor under representative SAGD conditions between 220°C (428°F) and 250°C (482°F).