Full Description

This recommended practice (RP) covers the processes and procedures of collecting required information to complete a root cause failure analysis of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) system. These include:
- Procedures for disassembly, inspection, final report, failure classification and corrective actions. Items covered by this recommended practice include pumps, intakes, gas separators, gas handling devices, seals/protectors, motors (induction and permanent magnet motors), gauges, sensors, motor lead extensions, potheads, and power cables. Tooling and test equipment may differ between suppliers; however, the typical assembly and inspection procedures and principles are generally applicable for most ESP systems.
- Information that should be collected prior to equipment dismantle and inspection as well as specific observations that should be recorded during equipment inspections/teardown/disassembly.
- General equipment drawings which may aid in identifying equipment components. It should be noted that these drawings are for generic equipment components, and there may be differences between manufacturers on the exact description or configuration of the assemblies. The user should refer to the manufacturer's specific drawings as needed.

This RP does not include gauge surface electronics, system grounding, alternative deployed systems, chemical injection systems, motor oil injection from surface, remote gauges, generators, power supply, wellhead, trees and valves, tubing, tail-pipe systems, operation maintenance and troubleshooting, pump testing, installation, sizing and selection, application of ESP cable systems, testing of ESP cable systems, application and testing of seals/protectors, sand handling devices, ESP system vibrations or items covered by other API recommended practices.