Operating electrical submersible pumps below the perforations

The electrical submersible pump (ESP) uses the flow of well fluid to cool the motor. This, traditionally, has been done by landing the ESP above the perforations or by using a shroud to redirect the fluid around the motor. This paper examines some of the advantages and disadvantages of ESP operation below the perforation. Several equipment options necessary for this type of operation are presented, along with an operator's field experience where below perforation operation looked to be advantageous.