Publications | Indonesian Petroleum Association

Optimizing Water Injection in Riau'S P-Field: Wide-Range High-Efficiency Electrical Submersible Pumps for Hassle-Free Operation

Year: 2025 Authors: Saputra, M., N., Ibrahim, M., I., Lufdiansyah, W., Arsyada, M., F., Tarmizi, M.

Keywords: Asset Utilization, Diesel Pumps, Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP), Injection Continuity, Injection Rate Flexibilit, Mature fields, Optimized Production, Water injection wells,

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Proceedings Title : Proc. Indon. Petrol. Assoc., 49th Ann. Conv., 2025

The increasing number of wells in Riau's P-Field has led to higher water production, prompting the need for optimized water treatment solutions. One challenge is the daily inspection and periodic maintenance of diesel-powered water injection pumps, which require shutdowns, causing production wells to halt. To address this, a study was conducted to evaluate the use of existing Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) assets as water injection pumps, enhancing diesel units injection continuity and capability. Key factors considered included ESP pressure generation, injection rate flexibility, maintenance schedules, and deployment methods.

The study found that the 5.62” wide-range, high-efficiency ESPs used for artificial lift in production wells could alternatively serve as injection pumps. These ESPs demonstrated the ability to operate between 2,000 and 10,500 barrels of liquid per day (BLPD) with discharge pressures ranging from 600 to 1,800 psi, adjustable by controlling pump speed. With feedback control, the ESPs maintained constant pressure and flow despite dynamic water supply variations. Additionally, the ESPs' relatively long lifespan suggested hassle-free operation.

The ESPs were deployed riglessly using a mobile crane, submerged 100 feet into the water vessel. Over 400 days of operation, the ESP consistently injected 8,000 BLPD at 1,500 psi with no maintenance yet. Despite high operating temperatures (up to 320°F for the motor), the ESPs performed reliably, as they are rated for temperatures up to 400°F.

This success demonstrates that wide-range, high-efficiency ESPs effectively complement diesel-powered pumps for water injection continuity, covering diesel-powered lacking flexible injection rates and pressure, and hassle-free operation, despite ESP runlife either as injection pump or production pump in this field that still not reaching diesel pump asset life-span that may reach 5 or more years. Indirect positive result of this success are optimized oil production and optimized asset (ESP) utilization, where also applicable in most of Indonesia mature fields where ESPs are already widely in use.