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This paper analyzes the improvement of opportunities that are possible to save energy in Cerro Dragon. The analysis studies the points where energy is wasted and how it can be reduced without the need to fall into additional expenses on not proven technology that could affect the good failure index achieved so far. Studying the Artificial Lift as a whole, from surface to downhole, efficiency can be increased in 10% only by changing few specifications and working methodology. ESPs have overall efficiencies that vary depending on type of well, depth; type of equipment deployed and could reach 30% to 60%. The higher value belongs to shallow well having big casing/ESP equipment. The lower value is the typical condition for most deep wells (>2300m) having 5 1/2inch casing. Panamerican Energy generates its own energy by means of gas turbines and that gas which is produced in the field. This paper shows the potential energy savings and the M3 of gas that can be delivered to the market instead of burn it in the turbines by focusing on the main inefficient points of the artificial lift equipment.

Conventional technology on downhole sensors allowed the development of standard equipment capable to work in wells up to 150°C and some cases 175°C permanently. If higher temperature is required, existing technology offers sensors that can operate up to 260°C without electronics downhole. Such sensors use separate encased multicore cables. But cost and deployment are limitations making instrumentation not feasible for high WC wells. Thus, confining these products to specific application such SAGD. Using Defense and Aerospace technology, an affordable downhole sensor was developed for Panamerican Energy to withstand 225°C permanently and have excursions on 250°C. This sensor does not require an additional cable. Communication is achieved by over imposing the digital signal in the existing power cable, reducing cost and installation complexity. This paper shows the development of the product, specifications, and lab tests, field examples that helped to maximize production and protect the artificial lift equipment.

In the last 5 years, GE Oil&Gas and Panamerican Energy worked on alternatives to produce Wells below perforations. All wells are produced by 3.75″ motor having refrigerating shrouds with very good performance. Today's failure index with this technology is 0.20. Besides the fact this is the simplest way to produce below perforations on vertical wells, having mentioned performance for high temperature and deep wells, it is required to overcome some limitations with this technology: In particular one of the problems that shrouded systems have in small series motors is the length of the equipment. This requires up to 30 meters achieving 100hp for a given rating. In general 4 to 5 motors are needed increasing installation time. Also, shrouds have the limitation on well's having doglegs: sometimes shrouds are lost during installation. Long shrouded equipment installed in small casing could also lead to some pressure drops due to scale deposition, reducing production capabilities. This paper shows the experience in Pan-American Energy on alternative deployments below perforations having production recirculation tubes named Motor Cooling and Snorkel systems, and some comparative results with shrouded system.