Electric submersible pumps (ESP) boost pressure to maintain or increase flow rates in oil wells. ESPs are oriented vertically and include a pump section, a seal section and an electric motor. High cost of subsea installations and recurring failures in specific geographic regions are driving the need for developing ESPs with higher reliability and run life. This work focuses on the reliability of the pump section and a description of the research facilities and ongoing research programs at the Texas A&M Turbomachinery Laboratory. These programs include testing and modeling pump sections operating with multiphase fluids (water, air, sand), evaluating reliability of mechanical seals subjected to large vibration amplitudes and characterizing the static performance of process fluid-lubricated thrust bearings.