The moment an Electric Submersible Progressing Cavity Pump (ESPCP) has been installed, the possibility exists that it could fail for some reason. There are a plethora of reasons not all of which are related to the ESPCP components themselves. The purpose of this work is to provide a generic guideline for writing a Dismantle, Inspection Failure Analysis (DIFA) Report for an ESPCP. The intent is to provide a guideline on how best to gather information and what data to gather to conduct a DIFA and it does not make one an expert on drawing conclusions. This work will outline the various types of data needed to be gathered so as to provide the necessary information that will allow the reliability engineer or dismantling persons the critical tools with which a solid determination of the Root Cause of Failure can be made and a comprehensive DIFA Report written. Without all of the necessary information, any cause of failure reached would be inconclusive and often nothing more than a guess.

Additionally, it will outline and suggest the information needed to be included in the report itself and suggest an information flow that will help make the DIFA report much easier to follow and ultimately be understood. Like a Forensic Scientist in a crime scene investigation, gathering the correct type and quantity of critical information, knowing important chronological sequences of events and taking proper component photographs are paramount to conducting a successful DIFA, writing an acceptable report of findings and ultimately in reaching an accurate Root Cause of Failure.

This generic DIFA outline will highlight the basic steps needed to conduct a proper dismantle, inspection & failure analysis for an Electric Submersible Progressing Cavity Pump.