IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,320,248
Granted Patent B2
US 12,320,248 · App. 17/648,047 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Well integrity management for electrical submersible pump (ESP) oil wells

Inventors: Abdullah M. Al-Dhafeeri (Al Khobar, SA); Shebl Fouad Abo Zkry (Al Khafji, SA)
Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
E21B47/008E21B33/03E21B43/128E21B47/07E21B47/117
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,320,248
App. No.
17/648,047
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for determining an integrated surface-downhole integrity score for Christmas tree and wellhead assembly valves of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) oil well. Wellness surface parameters are determined for an ESP oil well operating at least one ESP. Wellness downhole parameters are determined for the oil well, including parameters indicating well integrity and pump efficiency. An integrated surface-downhole integrity score is determined using the wellness surface parameters and the wellness downhole parameters. The integrated surface-downhole integrity score indicates an integrated integrity of Christmas tree and wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well. An alert is provided in response to determining that the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeds a threshold. The alert is provided for presentation to an operator in a user interface.

Claims (40)

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining wellness surface parameters of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) oil well operating at least one ESP;

determining wellness downhole parameters for the ESP oil well comprising parameters indicating well integrity and pump efficiency;

determining trends, using the wellness surface parameters and the wellness downhole parameters, of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, the trends comprising a trend of tested production rate versus model pump rate;

determining, by differentiating between steady and decreasing patterns over time of the trends of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, an integrated surface-downhole integrity score indicating an integrated integrity of a Christmas tree and of wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well;

providing, for presentation to an operator in a user interface, an alert in response to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding a threshold; and

triggering one or more well operations to resolve identified operational issues of the integrated integrity of the Christmas tree and of the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well corresponding to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding the threshold.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the wellness surface parameters comprise wellhead pressure and temperature; production rates of oil, gas, and water; and volts, amps, and frequency.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the wellness downhole parameters comprise discharge pressure, intake pressure, motor temperature, intake temperature, and vibration.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the wellness surface parameters of the ESP oil well comprise parameters for the Christmas tree and the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alert comprises an indication that the ESP oil well is non-operable and should be shut down.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , further comprising determining that an annulus pressure is greater than a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAWOP) confirmed as a sustained pressure, and that the ESP oil well is a candidate for an immediate workover.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the wellness surface parameters indicate problems with sustained casing pressure (SCP) and tubing/casing leaks.

8. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:

determining wellness surface parameters of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) oil well operating at least one ESP;

determining wellness downhole parameters for the ESP oil well comprising parameters indicating well integrity and pump efficiency;

determining trends, using the wellness surface parameters and the wellness downhole parameters, of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, the trends comprising a trend of tested production rate versus model pump rate;

determining, by differentiating between steady and decreasing patterns over time of the trends of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, an integrated surface-downhole integrity score indicating an integrated integrity of a Christmas tree and of wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well;

providing, for presentation to an operator in a user interface, an alert in response to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding a threshold; and

triggering one or more well operations to resolve identified operational issues of the integrated integrity of the Christmas tree and of the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well corresponding to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding the threshold.

9. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the wellness surface parameters comprise wellhead pressure and temperature; production rates of oil, gas, and water; and volts, amps, and frequency.

10. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the wellness downhole parameters comprise discharge pressure, intake pressure, motor temperature, intake temperature, and vibration.

11. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the wellness surface parameters of the ESP oil well comprise parameters for the Christmas tree and the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well.

12. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the alert comprises an indication that the ESP oil well is non-operable and should be shut down.

13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 12 , the operations further comprising determining that an annulus pressure is greater than a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAWOP) confirmed as a sustained pressure, and that the ESP oil well is a candidate for an immediate workover.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the wellness surface parameters indicate problems with sustained casing pressure (SCP) and tubing/casing leaks.

15. A computer-implemented system comprising:

one or more processors; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the one or more processors and storing programming instructions for execution by the one or more processors, the programming instructions instructing the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

determining wellness surface parameters of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) oil well operating at least one ESP;

determining wellness downhole parameters for the ESP oil well comprising parameters indicating well integrity and pump efficiency;

determining trends, using the wellness surface parameters and the wellness downhole parameters, of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, the trends comprising a trend of tested production rate versus model pump rate;

determining, by differentiating between steady and decreasing patterns over time of the trends of the wellness surface parameters and of the wellness downhole parameters, an integrated surface-downhole integrity score indicating an integrated integrity of a Christmas tree and of wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well;

providing, for presentation to an operator in a user interface, an alert in response to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding a threshold; and

triggering one or more well operations to resolve identified operational issues of the integrated integrity of the Christmas tree and of the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well corresponding to the integrated surface-downhole integrity score exceeding the threshold.

16. The computer-implemented system of claim 15 , wherein the wellness surface parameters comprise wellhead pressure and temperature; production rates of oil, gas, and water; and volts, amps, and frequency.

17. The computer-implemented system of claim 15 , wherein the wellness downhole parameters comprise discharge pressure, intake pressure, motor temperature, intake temperature, and vibration.

18. The computer-implemented system of claim 15 , wherein the wellness surface parameters of the ESP oil well comprise parameters for the Christmas tree and the wellhead assembly valves for the ESP oil well.

19. The computer-implemented system of claim 15 , wherein the alert comprises an indication that the ESP oil well is non-operable and should be shut down.

20. The computer-implemented system of claim 19 , the operations further comprising determining that an annulus pressure is greater than a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAWOP) confirmed as a sustained pressure, and that the ESP oil well is a candidate for an immediate workover.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2022
From: ARAMCO GULF OPERATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 059879/0883 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2022
From: AL-DHAFEERI, ABDULLAH M.; ABO ZKRY, SHEBL FOUAD
To: ARAMCO GULF OPERATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 058679/0758 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230228184A1 · Jul 20, 2023
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