GE Oil & Gas introduces new VSD for electric submersible pumps

GE Oil & Gas has introduced its next-generation Vector Plus variable speed drive (VSD) surface control system for electric submersible pumps (ESPs).

ESPs are a form of artificial lift that uses centrifugal force to pump hydrocarbons to the surface, allowing for high flow and production.

GE said ESPs and other artificial lift pumping applications are used in 94% of the one million or so oil producing wells globally, helping to lift hydrocarbons from reservoirs with low-pressure.

The two ways GE offers to control the ESP motor from the surface include the use of a switchboard or a VSD system such as Vector Plus and its predecessor, the Vector VIITM.

The Vector Plus VSD will enable the operator to increase ESP motor speed and remotely adjust ESP speed from the surface. Operators can turn the motor on and off by using the switchboards.

GE Oil & Gas product line manager for drives Richard Torbenson said: "The Vector Plus VSD enhances the operator’s ability to more effectively control an ESP system, which is directly tied to increased system production and improved run-life.

"Our Vector Plus solution and other ESP technologies provide operators with critical real-time equipment performance data, helping operators to make better production decisions."

GE Oil & Gas said significant growth in the global unconventional oil and gas space is a major energy trend driving its innovations in artificial lift technologies in order to provide operators the correct solution to address the technical as well as environmental challenges of unconventional wells.

Unconventionals production, driven by shale exploration and production, is estimated to increase globally by 50% by 2018 alone.