Produced sand is one of the most destructive things an ESP can encounter. Even modest concentrations, at ESP velocities, erode stages and bearings quickly. Surviving abrasive wells is a matter of both keeping sand out and hardening what it touches.
How sand destroys ESP run life
Abrasive particles erode impeller and diffuser surfaces, wear radial and thrust bearings, and increase vibration — which cascades into further mechanical and electrical damage. Left unaddressed, sand can end a run in weeks.
Separation and exclusion first
The most effective sand strategy starts before the pump: downhole separation and solids exclusion reduce how much abrasive material ever reaches the stages. Prevention beats mitigation.
Hardened and coated components
For the sand that does get through, hardened materials and abrasion-resistant coatings protect the surfaces most exposed to erosion. Bearing systems designed for solids service are equally important.
PTFE-based composite coatings
Applied across impellers, diffusers and wear surfaces, PTFE-based composite coatings add a protective barrier that resists erosion and reduces flow-induced wear — extending run life where erosion is the limiting factor.
A system approach to abrasive wells
No single part solves sand. The best results come from combining exclusion, hardened components and coatings into a coherent, well-matched string designed for the abrasive environment.
Fiastar specialises in sand-resistant ESP components and coatings. Tell us your well conditions and we'll respond within one business day.