IMPROVING THE RELIABILITY OF GAS SEPARATORS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF ABRASIVE WELL FLUIDS

The article considers the main tendencies in the field of downhole oil production. It is indicated that the fund of complicated wells increases annually, including due to the wide application of methods of oil production stimulation. It is noted that on the territory of Russia and the countries of the Eurasian region well oil production is carried out predominantly using electric centrifugal pump units (ECPU). The main causes of ECPU failures are high concentration of gas and solid particles of mechanical impurities in the pumped liquid. Minimization of the consequences of these complicating factors is possible through the inclusion of effective abrasion-resistant gas separators in the ECPU. According to technical literature, more than 100 gas separators are installed in oil wells in Russia every month. It is noted that gas separators of ECPU, which mass produced by inland and foreign producers, are badly protected from hydro-abrasive wear.The article describes the methodology and procedure of accelerated resource tests of ESPU gas separators on a laboratory stand with a closed circulation system of liquid containing solid particles of mechanical impurities. The results of experimental studies of hydro-abrasive wear process of centrifugal gas separator of P.D. Lyapkov's type design, abrasive-resistant centrifugal gas separator with helicoidal auger and vortex abrasive-resistant gas separator produced by JSC "Novomet-Perm" are provided. The analysis of stand tests results shows that hydro-abrasive wear of protective sleeves and gas separator housings is of local character. Intensive development of this process in well conditions can lead to cutting of the gas separator housing and falling of a part of the ECPU downhole («flight» of the unit into the well). A method of preventing gas separator cutting during production of reservoir fluid with high concentration of gas and solid particles of mechanical impurities using ECPU is proposed. Implementation of the described in article technical solutions into the practice of oil engineering will allow to reduce material and time expenses for elimination of emergency failures of gas separators. At the same time, the gas separators can be repaired and sent down into the wells.