SandGuard® ESP Sand Management System
Developed by FET | Multilift Solutions, SandGuard® is a sand management system designed to address solids fallback—one of the leading causes of Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) failures.
Installed at the pump discharge, SandGuard captures and isolates sand and solids during shutdown events, preventing damage during restart. With thousands of installations, the system has demonstrated the ability to extend ESP run life and reduce failures in sand-laden wells.
The Sand Fallback Problem
ESPs operate in environments where production fluids often contain sand, gas, and water. During shutdown events, solids in the production tubing fall back and settle on top of the pump system.
When the ESP restarts under these conditions:
- Sand accumulation causes hard starts (rock starts)
- Increased amperage and mechanical stress occur
- Damage to internal components can happen, including shafts and electrical systems
- Repeated events reduce efficiency and shorten ESP run life
In some cases, these conditions can lead to catastrophic failure and costly workovers.
How SandGuard Works
SandGuard prevents solids fallback damage through a combination of capture, isolation, and controlled flushing:
- Captures and isolates solids — A dedicated chamber traps sand and debris above the pump.
- Diverts fallback from the pump — A ball seat mechanism redirects solids away from the pump intake.
- Self-cleaning during restart — Dynamic flow ports agitate and flush trapped solids back to the surface.
This process ensures a cleaner restart and reduces stress on the ESP system.
KEY BENEFITS
- Extends ESP run life in sand-laden environments
- Prevents damage caused by solids fallback
- Reduces unplanned downtime and workovers
- Minimizes startup stress during restart cycles
- Protects pump efficiency and production output
- Compatible with a wide range of ESP flow rates
- Designed for extreme downhole conditions
FEATURES
- Cleanable and reusable design
- Multiple configurations for various casing sizes
- Effective across a wide range of particle sizes
- Available with standard or custom connections
- Installs at the pump discharge without complex modifications
- Eliminates annulus communication
APPLICATIONS
SandGuard is designed for use across multiple well conditions:
- ESP installations
- Onshore and offshore wells
- Horizontal and deviated wells
- Sand-producing reservoirs
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
SandGuard is part of FET’s Multilift Solutions sand management portfolio and is designed for seamless integration into existing ESP systems.
- Installs directly at pump discharge
- Requires no major modifications
- Compatible with standard and custom tubing configurations.
Field Performance and Results
Field deployments have demonstrated measurable improvements in ESP performance and operational efficiency. These results demonstrate the system’s ability to improve reliability and reduce operational costs in sand-affected wells.
Case Study Highlights
- Increase in ESP run life of up to 800%+ in active wells
- Elimination of common failures such as:
- Broken shafts
- Electrical failures during restart
Example Performance Data
- Run life improvements ranging from 3X to 18X compared to previous runs
- Significant cost savings from avoided workovers and deferred production losses
