Speed control of electric submersible pumps - the "current" approach

The control of electric submersible pumps (ESPs) can be achieved using several different approaches. One of these is the use of adjustable speed drives which offers a number of benefits to the application. Speed control allows improved regulation of the demand from the well minimizing the ingress of other materials due starts and stops, energy savings as well as the reduction of mechanical stress on these specially constructed motors. Adjustable speed drives used for this application have ranged from low voltage to medium voltage designs typically of the voltage source drive topology. Current source drive technology introduces changes to the approach along with additional technology benefits. The intent of the paper is to not only cover the advantages which speed control through the use of drives brings to the application but to also cover some of the inherent advantages of a current source technology approach.