Electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) used in steam‑assisted gravity-drainage (SAGD) applications run at the highest motor temperatures possible. However, they cool very rapidly when shut down. High cooling rates promote motor oil volumetric contraction, eventually leading to wellbore fluid ingress and short-circuited motors. The complete paper discusses successful field tests designed to decrease ESP cooling rates by inducing controlled deadheads rather than shutting down ESPs.
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