Keep Your ESPs Running: Case Studies Exhibiting a Holistic Methodology for Run-Life Improvement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Camilleri ◽  
Arthur Watson ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Mohammed El-Gindy

Abstract Build a more robust ESP or reduce the stress it endures? Run-life improvement requires finding the right balance to suit the local well conditions and economics. Utilizing key case studies, the paper examines how operational stress caused by low flow rates can be avoided with the correct utilization of instrumentation, surveillance, and automation thereby providing practical solutions for extending the run life of already installed ESPs. The method starts with an extensive review of ESP failure mechanisms and their causes, supported by case studies and pictures illustrating the symptoms that can be observed during dismantling. This holistic technique is supported by several case studies. The common "thread" found on most failure mechanisms is temperature rise inside the ESP, which deteriorates properties of materials, including polymer insulation, elastomer seals, and metallic parts. Heat rise is attributed to three main causes: motor thermal losses, pump hydraulic losses, and frictional heat. Case studies and data sets are provided to confirm that a paradigm shift in mitigation improvement can be achieved by automating the identification of low flow events utilizing a downhole real-time flowmeter. Three reasons are given. Firstly, it is a leading indicator, whereas surface flow meters and temperature sensors are lagging indicators due to pump-up time and heat exchange respectively. Secondly, automation enables more consistent and cost-effective identification in large ESP populations. Thirdly, it enables deeper diagnostics of the cause of low flow (i.e., gas lock versus slugging, and even the source of slugging such as horizontal lateral versus production tubing). The authors provide an exhaustive list of case studies identifying sand fallback and scale as well as low flow causes and how they can be diagnosed, including differentiation between ESP, wellbore hydraulics, and reservoir inflow causes (e.g. depletion and skin.) Over the last 30 years, improvements in design and materials have tripled ESP run lives. Therefore, many fields attain six-year average run lives and 90-day survivability of 98%. Nevertheless, economics have tightened, which has raised the bar, and therefore, many operators still suffer uneconomical run lives. Case studies indicate that the next step-change in run life improvement will require a reduction in environmental stresses by mitigating the effect of low-flow events, scale, and sand.

Author(s):  
J.G. van Hassel ◽  
Xiao-Mei Zhang

Abstract Failures induced in the silicon substrate by process marginalities or process mistakes need continuous attention in new as well as established technologies. Several case studies showing implant related defects and dislocations in silicon will be discussed. Depending on the electrical characteristics of the failure the localization method has to be chosen. The emphasis of the discussion will be on the importance of the right choice for further physical de-processing to reveal the defect. This paper focuses on the localization method, the de- processing technique and the use of Wright etch for subsequent TEM preparation.


Author(s):  
Cha-Ming Shen ◽  
Yen-Long Chang ◽  
Lian-Fon Wen ◽  
Tan-Chen Chuang ◽  
Shi-Chen Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract Highly-integrated radio frequency and mixed-mode devices that are manufactured in deep-submicron or more advanced CMOS processes are becoming more complex to analyze. The increased complexity presents us with many eccentric failure mechanisms that are uniquely different from traditional failure mechanisms found during failure analysis on digital logic applications. This paper presents a novel methodology to overcome the difficulties and discusses two case studies which demonstrate the application of the methodology. Through the case studies, the methodology was proven to be a successful approach. It is also proved how this methodology would work for such non-recognizable failures.


Author(s):  
Hui Peng Ng ◽  
Ghim Boon Ang ◽  
Chang Qing Chen ◽  
Alfred Quah ◽  
Angela Teo ◽  
...  

Abstract With the evolution of advanced process technology, failure analysis is becoming much more challenging and difficult particularly with an increase in more erratic defect types arising from non-visual failure mechanisms. Conventional FA techniques work well in failure analysis on defectively related issue. However, for soft defect localization such as S/D leakage or short due to design related, it may not be simple to identify it. AFP and its applications have been successfully engaged to overcome such shortcoming, In this paper, two case studies on systematic issues due to soft failures were discussed to illustrate the AFP critical role in current failure analysis field on these areas. In other words, these two case studies will demonstrate how Atomic Force Probing combined with Scanning Capacitance Microscopy were used to characterize failing transistors in non-volatile memory, identify possible failure mechanisms and enable device/ process engineers to make adjustment on process based on the electrical characterization result. [1]


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Uski ◽  
Erkka Rinne ◽  
Janne Sarsama

Microgrids can be used for securing the supply of power during network outages. Underground cabling of distribution networks is another effective but conventional and expensive alternative to enhance the reliability of the power supply. This paper first presents an analysis method for the determination of microgrid power supply adequacy during islanded operation and, second, presents a comparison method for the overall cost calculation of microgrids versus underground cabling. The microgrid power adequacy during a rather long network outage is required in order to indicate high level of reliability of the supply. The overall cost calculation considers the economic benefits and costs incurred, combined for both the distribution network company and the consumer. Whereas the microgrid setup determines the islanded-operation power adequacy and thus the reliability of the supply, the economic feasibility results from the normal operations and services. The methods are illustrated by two typical, and even critical, case studies in rural distribution networks: an electric-heated detached house and a dairy farm. These case studies show that even in the case of a single consumer, a microgrid option could be more economical than network renovation by underground cabling of a branch in order to increase the reliability.


1986 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 2095-2101 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Lloyd

Anesthetized open-chest dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass were used to test the hypothesis that breathing reflexly responds to distension of the left-heart chambers. Bypass perfusion withdrew systemic flow from the right atrium and returned it to the aorta after gas exchange. Ventricles were fibrillated. The left heart was isolated by tying all pulmonary veins, and it was perfused separately at low flow admitted through one pulmonary vein and withdrawn from the ventricle. Left-heart pressure was intermittently raised abruptly from a nominal base line of 0 by partial occlusion of outflow. Pressures from approximately 10 to 50 cmH2O caused proportional increases in breathing frequency and decreases in expiratory and inspiratory times. Changes occurred immediately, reached a plateau within approximately 20 s, and were sustained for periods of observation as long as 3 min. Recovery to base line followed stimulus removal. Vagal cooling to 8 degrees C prevented responses, but autonomic ganglion blockade with hexamethonium had no effect. I conclude that breathing may be stimulated by left-heart distension and that this is mediated by large myelinated vagal afferents.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (16) ◽  
pp. 2777-2783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo ◽  
Bryan T.J. Hennessy ◽  
Gordon B. Mills

The development of cost-effective technologies able to comprehensively assess DNA, RNA, protein, and metabolites in patient tumors has fueled efforts to tailor medical care. Indeed validated molecular tests assessing tumor tissue or patient germline DNA already drive therapeutic decision making. However, many theoretical and regulatory challenges must still be overcome before fully realizing the promise of personalized molecular medicine. The masses of data generated by high-throughput technologies are challenging to manage, visualize, and convert to the knowledge required to improve patient outcomes. Systems biology integrates engineering, physics, and mathematical approaches with biologic and medical insights in an iterative process to visualize the interconnected events within a cell that determine how inputs from the environment and the network rewiring that occurs due to the genomic aberrations acquired by patient tumors determines cellular behavior and patient outcomes. A cross-disciplinary systems biology effort will be necessary to convert the information contained in multidimensional data sets into useful biomarkers that can classify patient tumors by prognosis and response to therapeutic modalities and to identify the drivers of tumor behavior that are optimal targets for therapy. An understanding of the effects of targeted therapeutics on signaling networks and homeostatic regulatory loops will be necessary to prevent inadvertent effects as well as to develop rational combinatorial therapies. Systems biology approaches identifying molecular drivers and biomarkers will lead to the implementation of smaller, shorter, cheaper, and individualized clinical trials that will increase the success rate and hasten the implementation of effective therapies into the clinical armamentarium.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amgad Badewi ◽  
Essam Shehab ◽  
Jing Zeng ◽  
Mostafa Mohamad

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to answer two research questions: what are the ERP resources and organizational complementary resources (OCRs) required to achieve each group of benefits? And on the basis of its resources, when should an organization invest more in ERP resources and/or OCRs so that the potential value of its ERP is realised? Design/methodology/approach Studying 12 organizations in different countries and validating the results with 8 consultants. Findings ERP benefits realization capability framework is developed; it shows that each group of benefits requires ERP resources (classified into features, attached technologies and information technology department competences) and OCRs (classified into practices, attitudes, culture, skills and organizational characteristics) and that leaping ahead to gain innovation benefits before being mature enough in realising a firm’s planning and automation capabilities could be a waste of time and effort. Research limitations/implications It is qualitative study. It needs to be backed by quantitative studies to test the results. Practical implications Although the “P” in ERP stands for planning, many academics and practitioners still believe that ERP applies to automation only. This research spotlights that the ability to invest in ERP can increase the innovation and planning capabilities of the organization only if it is extended and grown at the right time and if it is supported by OCRs. It is not cost effective to push an organization to achieve all the benefits at the same time; rather, it is clear that an organization would not be able to enjoy a higher level of benefits until it achieves a significant number of lower-level benefits. Thus, investing in higher-level benefit assets directly after an ERP implementation, when there are no organizational capabilities available to use these assets, could be inefficient. Moreover, it could be stressful to users when they see plenty of new ERP resources without the ability to use them. Although it could be of slight benefit to introduce, for example, business intelligence to employees in the “stabilizing period” (Badewi et al., 2013), from the financial perspective, it is a waste of money since the benefits would not be realised as expected. Therefore, orchestrating ERP assets with the development of organizational capabilities is important for achieving the greatest effectiveness and efficiency of the resources available to the organization. This research can be used as a benchmark for designing the various blueprints required to achieve different groups of benefits from ERP investments. Originality/value This research addresses two novel questions: RQ1: what are the ERP resources and OCRs required to achieve the different kinds of ERP benefits? RQ2: when, and on what basis, should an organization deploy more resources to leverage the ERP business value?


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The study uses two case studies to explore the integration-responsiveness problem in multi-national enterprises and finds that locally sensitive employer branding and facilitating employee voice can help mitigate global-local tensions in religiously sensitive environments. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Butler ◽  
Justin Roberts ◽  
Matthew Kelsey ◽  
Steffen Van Der Veen

Abstract Multilateral wells have been proven over decades and have developed into a reliable and cost effective approach to mature field rejuvenation and extended commercial viability. This paper will discuss case studies demonstrating a number of techniques used to create infill multilateral wells in existing fields with a high level of reliability and repeatability. Techniques reviewed will cover cutting and pulling production casing to drill and case a new mainbore versus sidetracking and adding laterals to an existing mainbore. Discussion will also cover completion designs that tie new laterals into existing production casing providing significantly greater reservoir contact. Temporary isolation of high water-cut laterals brought into production later in the well's life through bespoke completion designs will also be discussed. Case studies will include discussion of workover operations, isolation methods, and lateral creation systems. Where available, resulting field performance improvements will also be discussed. In Norway, slot recoveries are commonly performed by cutting and pulling the 10-3/4" casing, redrilling a new mainbore, and running new casing. This enables junction placement closer to unswept zones and easier lateral drilling to targets. It does have drawbacks, however, related to the additional time required to pull the subsea xmas tree and challenges associated with pulling casing. In 2019, Norway successfully completed a 10-3/4" retrofit installation, whereas a sidetrack was made from the 10-3/4" and an 8-5/8" expandable liner was run down into the reservoir pay zone where two new laterals were created. The 8-5/8" liner saved time otherwise spent having to drill the section down to the payzone from the laterals. These wells have a TAML Level 5 isolated junction, Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICDs) in each lateral, and an intelligent completion interface across the junction, enabling active flow management and monitoring of both branches. In Asia, infill laterals were added to existing wellbores by sidetracking 9-5/8" casing and tying production back to the original mainbore. These dual laterals were completed with intelligent completions to enable lateral flow management and monitoring of both laterals. In Australia, dual laterals were created in a similar fashion; laterals are added to existing wells; however, a novel approach was used to manage water from existing lower mainbore laterals whereby they are shut in at completion and opened later when the new lateral is watered out. The older lateral now produces at lower water cut given the time allowed for water coning in the lateral to relax. Using this practice, production is alternated back and forth between the two laterals. In the Middle East, an older well has been converted from TAML Level 4 to Level 5 in order to prevent detected gas migrating into the mainbore at the junction. This conversion of a cemented junction well has enabled production to resume on this well. The well was converted to incorporate an intelligent completion to enable flow control of each lateral. This paper intends to provide insights into the various mature field re-entry methods for multilateral well construction, and a review of the current technology capabilities and well designs through the review of multiple case histories.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Walker ◽  
Emma L. Jeanes ◽  
Robert O. Rowlands

<i>Managing Public Services Innovation</i> provides an in-depth exploration of innovation and its management in the housing association sector. Drawing on longitudinal case studies and data sets, it explores techniques to develop evidence-based policy in the housing association sector, and makes recommendations for best practice.


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