Geothermal energy is one of the most stable and clean renewable energy sources available—and demand is rising. But tapping into this deep, consistent heat source comes with technical challenges and high costs. One breakthrough solution is combining Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) with inflatable packers, removing the need for tubing and drastically reducing CAPEX and OPEX.

IPI’s system simplifies installation, reduces downtime, and boosts production efficiency in geothermal wells. This approach has already been proven in hundreds of wells across geothermal and dewatering sectors, where heat demand, depth, and reliability are non-negotiable.

Key Points:

• Eliminating Tubing: Traditional ESP installations use heavy tubing, requiring expensive workover rigs and long downtimes. IPI’s solution allows for riserless installations using inflatable packers to anchor the ESP—cutting installation time and complexity.

• Power Efficiency: By flowing geothermal water up the annulus rather than tubing, frictional losses are reduced by 10–20%, enabling smaller motors and lower energy costs over the well’s life.

• Faster Intervention: With no tubing to remove, pulling and replacing ESPs becomes faster and can be done with a hydraulic crane—eliminating the need for specialist rigs and crews.

• Proven Performance: IPI’s technology is already in use across hundreds of geothermal, mining, and water wells in Australia. In some installations, 500 kW motor setups have been down-sized to 400 kW, resulting in energy savings of up to €1.4 million over a 30-year well life.

• Global Applications: While pioneered in Australia, the ESP + packer combination is ideal for geothermal wells worldwide—especially where infrastructure limitations, cost sensitivity, and high uptime requirements intersect.

The use of Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) combined with inflatable packers in geothermal wells offers a significant reduction in both capital and operational expenses. This innovative approach eliminates the need for tubing, thereby reducing initial equipment costs and the electrical energy required during production. The installation and removal of this system are quicker and easier, leading to less downtime and more reliable production. Geothermal energy, a constant and reliable source, is harnessed efficiently through this method, which has been proven in numerous wells across the world. The ESP system, consisting of components like the pump, seal section, motor, cable, and variable speed drive, is designed to handle high volumes and temperatures, ensuring effective and economical production.

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