Case Study: Apache Energy Limited restores Forties field production within 3 hours with SLB LiftWatcher real-time surveillance

Real-Time Surveillance Saves One of Apache's Biggest Producers in the Forties Field from Critical ESP Damage

Apache Energy Limited needed to maximize efficiency and reduce nonproductive time across its electric submersible pump (ESP) wells in the North Sea Forties field, one of its most important producing assets. SLB used its LiftWatcher real-time surveillance service to continuously monitor ESP performance and help detect issues before they caused damage or downtime.

SLB’s engineers monitored the wells 24/7 and quickly identified a deadheading event on Apache’s biggest producer, recommended corrective action, and helped restore flow within 3 hours after the cause was found to be a closed lower master valve. The intervention averted critical ESP damage and supported major reliability gains, with Apache reporting 64% fewer unplanned downtime events in 2010 and 91% fewer in 2011 compared with the best year before LiftWatcher was introduced.

Apache Energy Limited

Jeff Thomson

Operational Supervisor for Production