Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESP Calc?

ESP Calc is a collection of field calculation tools for electric submersible pump operations. It handles common ESP calculations like voltage drop, tubing capacity, gas handling, and equipment sizing—the kind of math you do repeatedly when troubleshooting or optimizing wells.

Who is this for?

Anyone who works with electric submersible pumps:

• ESP consultants doing field troubleshooting and optimization
• Production engineers sizing equipment or verifying installations
• Field technicians who need quick calculations at the wellsite
• Operations teams standardizing calculations across their ESP fleet

Is this free?

Yes. No login, no subscription, no trial period. The calculator is ad-supported to cover hosting costs, but all features are fully available without restrictions.

Does my data stay private?

All calculations run entirely in your browser. Your well data, parameters, and inputs never leave your device—nothing is sent to a server. This is a client-side application with no backend database.

Does it work offline?

Yes. ESP Calc is built as a Progressive Web App (PWA), which means once you've loaded it in your browser, it caches locally and works without an internet connection. This is specifically designed for wellsite use where cell service is unreliable.

To install it on your phone: visit espcalc.com/app in your mobile browser, then use "Add to Home Screen" (iOS Safari) or "Install App" (Android Chrome).

What calculations are included?

The current modules cover:

• Basic Calculators: PSI↔feet, voltage drop, affinity laws, KVA/KW/HP, TDH, tubing capacity
• Well Snapshot: Operating point analysis with pump curves and fluid properties
• Gas Handling: Free gas at intake, separator sizing, gas interference
• Stage Design: Pump stage sizing with gas degradation factors
• BGAN Antenna Pointing: Satellite look angles for Inmarsat terminals
• PID Response Translator: Normalize tuning parameters across 12 controller profiles

Where does the calculation data come from?

Each module uses industry-standard correlations and manufacturer data. Voltage drop tables come from published cable resistance values. Tubing capacities use API dimensional standards. The PID translator profiles are based on actual parameter documentation from each manufacturer.

Specific sources and methodology are documented in the documentation section for each module.

What browsers are supported?

Any modern browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge. The PWA features (offline mode, install to home screen) work best on Chrome for Android and Safari for iOS.

Why does the app ask to install?

Installing the PWA to your home screen gives you an app-like experience: launches full-screen, works offline, and loads faster. You can always use it in the browser without installing if you prefer.

I found a bug or calculation error. How do I report it?

Accuracy matters here—these calculations affect real equipment decisions. If you find an error, please report it. Include the inputs you used and the expected result so I can reproduce and fix it.

Why the Permian Basin focus?

The tool was built by someone working daily in Delaware and Midland Basin operations. While the calculations are universal to ESP work anywhere, the module selection reflects problems common in unconventional Permian wells: high GOR, frequent cycling, remote locations, and the specific mix of equipment vendors you encounter.

Does it work for conventional ESP applications?

Yes. The underlying calculations (voltage drop, affinity laws, tubing capacity, etc.) apply to any ESP installation. The gas handling and stage design modules may be less relevant for low-GOR conventional wells, but the basic calculators work universally.