Status: Project entered experimental loop construction phase in March 2004. Pump testing for the JIP began in May 2004. The flow loop is now available for other pump or downhole equipment tests. - In large regions of the Athabasca oil sands where SAGD recovery techniques are currently being used or considered, the presence of a depleted or naturally low-pressured formation directly above the reservoir makes it necessary to operate the producing wells at relatively low pressures. It is still uncertain if current artificial lift systems can operate efficiently and reliably at these low pressures, especially at low degrees of sub-cooling (i.e. close to steam saturation conditions).

It is the objective of this JIP to test a number of downhole- and surface-driven pumping systems at low intake pressures and low degrees of sub-cooling in a laboratory environment in order to prioritize and select candidates for further field trials.

Anticipated downhole operating conditions will be replicated to the extent possible by installing the pumping systems in a section of 244.5 mm (9 5/8") casing at 85-90° inclination (close to horizontal). For each pumping system, a baseline performance curve will be established, and then additional performance curves will be established for different temperatures and different degrees of sub-cooling.

The main goal of this study is to determine the minimum intake pressure (or degree of sub-cooling) at which each downhole- or surface-driven pumping system can operate without suffering significant deterioration in performance, at each level of temperature.

An experimental flow loop is being constructed around a 244.5 mm, 60 kg/m (9 5/8", 40 lb/ft) casing with 88.9 mm (3.5") tubing that will fulfill the following requirements:

Physical Capabilities

• Can accommodate downhole- and surface-driven pump systems up to 24.4 m (80 ft) in length, up to 12 m (40 ft) per section;
• Allows for downhole gas (steam and air) separation at the pump intake with a simulated submergence of at least 3 m (10 ft) of fluid; and
• Fully instrumented to allow real time pressure, temperature, and flow measurements.

 Pressure and Temperature Limits

• Downhole pump intake pressure between 100 kPag and 4140 kPag (15-600 psig);
• Downhole pump maximum discharge pressure of 5520 kPag (800 psig);
• Downhole pump intake temperature between 60°C and 230°C (140-446°F).

 Volumetric Capacity 

• Liquid flow rate up to 800 m³/d (5050 bpd
  • Water, oil or oil/water mixture
• Free gas injection up to 20% by volume at downhole pump intake conditions

 Participants

• Chevron
• ConocoPhillips
• Deer Creek Energy Limited
• Devon Canada Corporation
• EnCana Oil and Gas
• Esso - Imperial Oil
• Husky Energy
• Innovation & Science (AERI)
• Nexen Inc.
• North American Oilsands
• Paramount Resources Ltd.
• Petrobras
• Petro-Canada
• Suncor Energy Inc.
• Total E&P Canada Ltd

Contact: Kelly Piers, Manager, Production Operations