Enhancing ESP Efficiency and Reservoir Recovery Through PDG-Based Diagnostics a Gulf of Suez Case Study

Abstract This study presents an advanced diagnostic methodology utilizing permanent downhole gauge (PDG) data to evaluate the dynamic behavior and performance of a complex multilayer reservoir in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, where production is maintained via electrical submersible pumps (ESPs). The primary objective is to enhance reservoir characterization, optimize artificial lift operations, and mitigate operational challenges through the integration of high-resolution pressure and production data. The scope encompasses the assessment of reservoir connectivity, depletion mechanisms, inter-well communication, and post-shutdown production optimization, as well as the evaluation of well intervention efficacy to improve recovery efficiency and operational reliability in a geologically complex environment. The diagnostic approach leverages high-frequency PDG pressure and production data to perform a detailed reservoir evaluation. Pressure transient analysis (PTA) and material balance techniques are employed to delineate reservoir boundaries and assess connectivity. Inflow performance relationships (IPR) and production data analysis are used to characterize reservoir depletion trends and fluid movement dynamics. Diagnostic fracture injection tests (DFIT) and interference testing are conducted to identify pressure communication between adjacent wells, quantifying the impact of inter-well interference on ESP performance and reservoir depletion. Shut-in pressure buildup analysis is utilized to optimize post-shutdown production strategies, while post-intervention PDG diagnostics are applied to evaluate the effectiveness of well interventions and guide remedial actions. The analysis yielded significant insights into reservoir dynamics and operational performance. Pressure transient and material balance analyses confirmed reservoir compartmentalization and provided a refined understanding of boundary effects. Interference testing revealed significant pressure communication between wells, leading to suboptimal ESP performance and uneven reservoir depletion. Shut-in pressure buildup analysis facilitated the development of a data-driven well reactivation strategy, achieving a 15% increase in stabilized production rates. Post-intervention diagnostics identified unforeseen wellbore damage, prompting targeted remediation measures, including wellbore cleanout and ESP parameter optimization, which restored production stability and minimized reservoir damage. The study concludes that PDG-driven diagnostics are indispensable for real-time reservoir surveillance, artificial lift optimization, and sustainable production in complex multilayer reservoirs. This study introduces an innovative application of PDG data for advanced reservoir diagnostics in ESP-supported wells within a complex multilayer reservoir. The integration of high-frequency pressure and production data enables a comprehensive evaluation of reservoir behavior, inter-well communication, and artificial lift performance. The use of shut-in pressure buildup analysis for production optimization and the application of post-intervention PDG diagnostics for targeted remediation represent significant advancements in reservoir management practices. These methodologies provide a robust framework for addressing operational challenges in geologically complex environments, contributing to the broader field of reservoir engineering and offering actionable insights for similar reservoir systems.