Enhancing Efficiency and Prolonging ESP Run Life Through Improved Sand Handling with USaT: A Case Study of the Rantau Field

Abstract Rantau Field, operated by PT Pertamina EP, which is presently undergoing secondary recovery. The business has difficulties striking a balance between cost-effectiveness and the requirement for cutting-edge technologies in oil production because secondary recovery usually yields less oil than primary recovery. Several critical issues affect oil well production at Rantau Field, including sand accumulation, tubing leaks, and downhole complications. Of these challenges, sand accumulation is the most prevalent, accounting for a significant 30% of the 141 recorded well service issues in 2023. Additionally, artificial lift deployment for ESP covers 30% of the entire field. The author employed a why-why analysis to determine the root cause of the problem, identifying that the ESP failure was due to sand accumulation, with the ultimate cause being inadequate sand control in the wellbore. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to address this issue, three criteria were defined: operational risk, cost of operation/installation, and delivery time for completing the job. The decision alternatives considered were Frac-pack stimulation, installing a gravel pack, and using additional accessories on the ESP. Based on AHP calculations, using additional accessories on the ESP was given the highest priority, with a score of 78.43%. The accessory, named USaT, is installed between the ESP pump and the bleeder valve (BV). Its working principle is to prevent sand from flowing back into the pump stages, where it could accumulate. Since these accessories are fabricated in-house by the operator's workshop, significant cost efficiency is achieved. A pilot test was conducted on well CYO-420, a vertical well with reservoir pressure of 643 psi and a gross production rate of 180 BLPD. Previously, the ESP had a lifespan of 25 days; after the installation of the USaT with the ESP, its lifetime was extended by 1 year and is still operational. This solution has significantly improved performance by maximizing the well's recoverable reserves, minimizing deferred production and downtime caused by frequent pump failures, and enabling economical production from the well. Furthermore, this approach can be easily replicated in other wells experiencing sand issues. Since January 2024, this pilot well has produced a cumulative 19,540 barrels of oil and continues to operate successfully, effectively addressing the sand problem in ESP well production. This breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era for ESP accessories.