Deployment of MV drives in electrical submersible pumps in steam assist gravity drainage applications

The step in cost savings separating low (LV) and medium voltage (MV) drive application has steadily decreased over the last two decades. In addition to the more economical use of MV drives in certain applications, there are compelling technical advantages, and increased reliability is also often realized. This can equate to a decreased total cost of ownership and should be explored when applying drives in production. Electrical submersible pumps are used in numerous oil pumping applications, ranging from subsea pumping through various onshore applications such as steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). These pumping applications demand increased reliability because of the high cost of downtime along with significant replacement costs as a function of the physical deployment restrictions. This paper was authored to describe and contrast the significant benefits to newer medium voltage drives, reduced in size and cost toward shifting the cost-benefit step and improved electrical characteristics that ensure lowest cost of ownership and greatest reliability of down-hole/subsea pumping equipment. The research includes comparisons of voltage standards, waveform considerations, system component and configurations, and associated footprint requirements, in a format consistent with the needs of high cost deployment and installation square footage.