Courtesy of bakerhughes.com

Baker Hughes announced the commercial release of the FLEXlift Curve™ tight-radius system, an electrical submersible pumping (ESP) system designed to pass through the bend section in deviated and horizontal wells. This industry-first technology allows operators to improve production by installing the ESP system deeper in the wellbore, closer to the producing zone.

Decisions made during wellbore construction, particularly for deviated or horizontal wells, often limit an operator’s ability to install ESP systems at the deepest possible setting depth. Because current industry guidelines recommend not installing an ESP system through a build-up rate greater than 6° per 100 ft., the systems are typically placed in the vertical section of the wellbore, which can adversely impact pressure drawdown and production.

The FLEXlift Curve tight-radius system overcomes this challenge in many wells. An entirely new design of the connection between ESP system components allows the ESP system to reliably pass through build-up rates up to 15° per 100 ft. During installation in deviated or horizontal wells, the mechanical stresses on the connections can make them the most vulnerable part of the system. The FLEXlift Curve threaded connection is able to withstand greater mechanical stresses than the standard bolted flange design, minimizing the reliability issues associated with an ESP system passing through a tight-radius curve in the wellbore.

The innovative new system can reduce rig time by speeding the component connection operation during installation, and its threaded connection design helps avoid the risk of dropping bolts or tools down hole during installation.

Source: bakerhughes.com