Ultra-high Reliability Submersible Pumps Save Significant Operational Costs
When it comes to offshore production, the operational performance of submersible well pumps can significantly impact operational costs. The Hydraulic Submersible Pump (HSP) from SPX s ClydeUnion Pumps was developed to address the common failure modes of traditional Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) creating a pump with ultra-high reliability and long service life.
ClydeUnion Pumps / SPX
This innovative pumping solution has typically around three times the life of an electric equivalent and offers increased availability providing for substantial reductions in offshore operational expenditure.
The HSP is a hydraulic solution through which the removal of electrical power systems and componentry greatly reduces the opportunity for equipment failure, and consequentially reduces the need for costly interventions to replace/repair in-well pumps.
Rubbing element bearings and seals have also been eliminated as the HSP adopts an innovative hydraulic balancing system and bearing arrangement in a single-shaft design to create high rotodynamic stability enabling the HSP to run at high speeds capable of a very wide operating performance envelope. This flexibility is beneficial in accommodating variances in predicted pump performance at site.
The HSP is supplied as a ‘plug and play’ unit and is also significantly more compact in length than an ESP; making it easier to install even with a large dog leg subverted (DLS) angles.
The HSP is designed with the highest grade materials to resist wear and corrosion for the full life of a well. Designed to handle heavy oils and multiphase fluids, the HSP avoids gas locking as it automatically speeds up or down depending on the fluid density, meaning gas does not become entrained in the machine.
Overall the HSP system provides long, reliable service for many years. It is provided as a fully engineered solution matched to project requirements and can make a significant difference to operational costs for both large and small scale developments, where lower well count makes availability and reliability an even greater requirement. SPX has used its detailed understanding of pump technology and the application of pumps in difficult, offshore, submerged applications to design the HSP to avoid the most common pump failure conditions and provide a step-change in reliability and well servicing intervals.
Source: ClydeUnion Pumps
