Operational Parameters Affecting Harmonic Resonance in Electrical Submersible Pump Systems

Electrical submersible pump (ESP) systems in the oil field have unique features due to the long cabling effect. The electrical system for a typical ESP installation consists of a variable frequency drive (VFD), a multi-tap step-up transformer, a surface cable, a downhole main cable, a motor lead extension (MLE) cable, and an electrical submersible motor. A load filter is usually required in a VFD-ESP system. In this paper, several operational parameters that can significantly affect operating conditions of an ESP system are demonstrated through field measurements and simulation of a practical ESP system currently in operation in Alberta, Canada. The simulation model is also validated by comparing with field measurement data. This analysis is beneficial to field engineers and ESP system operators to understand better the impacts of equipment parameter settings.