Article

Application of electric submersible pumps for post-fracturing gas well clean-up in depleted reservoirs

Lesia Moroz, Yehor Selinny
Abstract

Given the long-term operation and depletion of most Ukrainian fields, the development of effective methods to restore their productivity is a priority for Ukraine’s energy sector. This study focused on optimising the clean-up process of wells with abnormally low reservoir pressure after stimulation by hydraulic fracturing. The aim of the study was to introduce a technology for the successful extraction of fracturing fluid, which would significantly expand the criteria for well selection and enable the successful execution of hydraulic fracturing operations during the final stage of gas field development. The three alternative mechanised development technologies (electrical submersible pumps deployed on coiled tubing, cable, or jointed tubing) were compared through a theoretical techno-economic analysis to select the optimal method, considering the current state of Ukraine’s gas production industry. The study was based on engineering calculations, nodal analysis, and hydrostatic imbalance evaluation for a typical deep well with depleted reservoir pressure (4,150 metres, 6.0 MPa). Hydrostatic imbalance calculations for the hypothetical well revealed a critical overbalance on the reservoir, which rendered development impossible without artificial lift. The hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column significantly exceeded the reservoir pressure, causing fluid fallback and subsequent fracture damage due to colmatation. Based on theoretical data, a comparative analysis of these technologies established that the rigless pump-on-cable option was technically unsuitable for depths exceeding 3,000 metres, whilst coiled-tubing deployment was economically unviable if a workover rig was already installed at the wellhead. The installation of an electrical submersible pump on jointed production tubing proved to be a pragmatic and economically sound solution. The parameters of the required assembly were calculated, and the complete cycle from the hydraulic fracturing stage to bringing the well on stream was modelled. A pragmatic approach was proposed that allowed the extraction of the fracturing fluid without overbalancing the reservoir, using available resources with minimal additional costs, which was critical for the cost-effectiveness of stimulation operations on depleted reservoirs

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Received 21.01.2026

Revised 31.03.2026

Accepted 29.05.2026

Published 29.06.2026

https://doi.org/10.63341/pdogf/1.2026.56
Retrieved from Vol. 26, No. 1, 2026
Pages 56-64

Suggested citation

Moroz, L., & Selinny, Ye. (2026). Application of electric submersible pumps for post-fracturing gas well clean-up in depleted reservoirs . Prospecting and Development of Oil and Gas Fields, 26(1), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.63341/pdogf/1.2026.56

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