Case Study: Permian Basin Operator Company improves ESP uptime in a depleted well with SLB Lift IQ and PCL services

Permian Basin Operator Improves ESP Productive Time by 94% in Depleted, Slugging Well Without a Workover

SLB worked with a Permian Basin Operator Company in Texas that was struggling with unstable multiphase flow in a depleted unconventional well. The REDA ESP was gas locking every 10 minutes, leaving the well at only 32% productive time, and a workover was not economically feasible for the independent operator.

SLB used PCL production composite log services and Lift IQ production life cycle management to analyze flow trends, adjust operating settings, and remotely optimize the variable speed drive in real time. After iterative tuning, ESP uptime improved to 62% in one week, a 94% increase in productive time, before stabilizing at 56%, while drawdown improved from 385 to 335 psi and pump intake pressure later stabilized at 350 psi.