ZEiTECS Shuttle

Rigless ESP replacement system

APPLICATIONS

Standard ESP systems in casing 7 in

or larger
Well cleanup operations
Reservoir production optimization
operations

BENEFITS

Increased average reservoir

production

Reduced deferred production

Decreased operating costs

Shortened ESP intervention time

Reduced HSE exposure

Eliminated disruption elsewhere in the

field due to unexpected rig use
Extended well production life and value

FEATURES

Rigless ESP retrieval with wireline, coiled

tubing, or sucker rods
Plug-and-play design with patented motor
connector and docking station
Retrievable gauge for reservoir
monitoring
Ability to accommodate multiple hydraulic
control lines
Throughbore access below the
docking station

The ZEiTECS Shuttle* rigless ESP replacement

system enables ESPs to be retrieved and
redeployed without a rig. This reduces total
cost of ESP ownership and eliminates the
uncertainties of rig costs and rig availability.

motor connector is an ESP assembly, which

consists of a standard, readily available pump,
protector, motor, and optional gauges. At the
top of the retrievable string is a seal assembly to
provide the necessary isolation between pump

A new method of ESP intervention

The plug-and-play design of the ZEiTECS Shuttle
system allows any standard ESP assembly to
be retrieved and redeployed on wireline, coiled
tubing, or sucker rods following initial installation
during a rig-supported workover.
The ZEiTECS Shuttle system consists of a
downhole docking station and retrievable
ESP string.
The downhole docking station is attached to the
end of the production tubing. Inside the docking
station are three electrical wet connectors and
landing shoulders that support the weight of
the ESP and its reactive forces and prevent
the motor from counter-rotating on startup.
Should mechanical reservoir access be required,
a throughbore below the docking station is
available.
The retrievable ESP string is made up of a motor
connector, a standard ESP assembly, a flexible
seal assembly, and a bypass valve. The motor
connector contains female wet connectors and
has corresponding parts to orient and connect
the ESP to the docking station. Attached to the
ZEiTECS Shuttle System Specifications
450 Series
ESP size
338/375 series
Min. casing size, in [mm]
7 [177.8]
Max. casing weight,
35.0 [52.09]
lbm/ft [kg/m] 
Min. tubing OD, in [mm]
4.5 [114.3]
Max. tubing weight,
11.6 [17.26]
lbm/ft [kg/m] 
Throughbore, in [mm]
1.9 [48.26]
Max. OD
Docking station, in [mm] 5.875 [149.23]
Retrievable ESP string,
3.930 [99.82]
in [mm]
Flexible seal assembly,
4.120 [104.19]
in [mm]
Only


applicable at min. casing size

ZEiTECS Shuttle system 550 series motor connector.

550 Series
400/450/456 series
7 [177.8]
26.0 [38.69]

700 Series
513/538/540/562 series
9 5/8 [244.5]
53.5 [79.62]

5.5 [139.7]
17.0 [25.30]

7 [177.8]
29.0 [43.16]

1.9 [48.26]

1.69 [42.926]

5.875 [149.23]
4.768 [121.11]

8.390 [213.11]
6.055 [153.80]

5.010 [127.25]

6.330 [160.78]

ZEiTECS Shuttle
intake and discharge, as well as a bypass valve to allow fluid bypass on
system retrieval.

Shuttle installation procedure

The ZEiTECS Shuttle system is initially installed during a rig-supported
workover in three main phases:

The docking station is run to a shallow depth on jointed tubing with

cable banded or clamped to the outside, similar to a conventional
ESP installation
The retrievable ESP string with motor connector is assembled
The motor connector is lowered through the tubing into the docking
station at surface. The complete ZEiTECS Shuttle system (docking
station and ESP string with motor connector) is then lowered to pump
setting depth.

Ideally, a deep set packer is run below the docking station to extend the run
life of permanent components by keeping the annulus, and thus the power
and control lines, free of corrosive well fluid.

Rigless ESP retrieval and replacement

The retrievable ESP string is quickly unplugged from the docking station
and retrieved in a few hours. A GS tool is lowered on wireline, coiled
tubing, or sucker rod and latched to the retrievable ESP string, which
is then retrieved through the tubing. After service or replacement, the
retrievable ESP string is redeployed using the same means by which it was
pulled. Upon deployment, the motor connector automatically orientates and
connects to the docking station with specially designed alignment petals.

ESP system optimization

Rigless ESP deployment technologies increase the average production
profile and extend the economic cutoff for wells. Since there is no time
wasted waiting on a rig to move to location or hoist up, operators can
benefit from the following production optimizations:

A test system deployed to clean up the well or measure reservoir

productivity is upgraded to a system optimized for the well conditions
Quicker and more cost-effective responses to ESP failure
Options to develop a preventative maintenance program to eliminate
unplanned failures and further increase the average production profile
of the well.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Figure 1: ZEiTECS Shuttle system semipermanent components. Figure 2: ZEiTECS Shuttle

system retrievable ESP string. Figure 3: ZEiTECS Shuttle system motor connector run into
docking station.

slb.com/zeitecs

*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright 2015 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 15-AL-0027