CA2239001A1 - System for deploying an esp within a wellbore - Google Patents

System for deploying an esp within a wellbore Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2239001A1
CA2239001A1 CA002239001A CA2239001A CA2239001A1 CA 2239001 A1 CA2239001 A1 CA 2239001A1 CA 002239001 A CA002239001 A CA 002239001A CA 2239001 A CA2239001 A CA 2239001A CA 2239001 A1 CA2239001 A1 CA 2239001A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
sucker rod
pumping system
submergible pumping
electric submergible
electrical cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002239001A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffery L. Dwiggins
Keith Russell
Lee S. Kobylinski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Camco International Inc
Original Assignee
Jeffery L. Dwiggins
Keith Russell
Camco International Inc.
Lee S. Kobylinski
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jeffery L. Dwiggins, Keith Russell, Camco International Inc., Lee S. Kobylinski filed Critical Jeffery L. Dwiggins
Publication of CA2239001A1 publication Critical patent/CA2239001A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B23/00Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/12Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
    • E21B43/121Lifting well fluids
    • E21B43/128Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

A system and related method for deploying an electric submergible pumping system within a wellbore comprises an electric submergible pumping system with an electrical cable operatively connected thereto. A plurality of sucker rods are connected together to form a sucker rod string, with one end of the sucker rod string connected to the electric submergible pumping system. The electrical cable is attached to the sucker rod string at a plurality of spaced locations by clamping or banding. This deployment system permits the use of relatively inexpensive and manoeuvrable rigs/cranes for the installation, removal and repair of the electric submergible pumping system rather than having to use conventional relatively expensive and large workover rigs

Description

CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 "SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING AN ESP WIT~IN A WELLBORE"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates to electric submergible pumping systems (ESPs) S used for recovering fluids from subterranean wellbores and, more particularly, systems and related methods for deploying such ESPs within wellbores.
2. Description of Related Art Electric subme~ e pumping systems (ESPs) are widely used around the world for recovering fluids from subterranean wellbores because ESPs have the broadest10 performance capabilities of any artificial lift system. For example, ESPs areco.l..l,ercially available that are sized to efficiently lift from only about 100 bbl/day up to 95,000 bbl/day; from depths as great as 15,000 ft; and in wells with bottomhole temperatures of up to 450 degrees F. Typical examples of an ESP suspended in a well on conventional production tubing are shown in US 3,835,929 and US 4,187,912. For all of their inherent benefits, ESPs have not been as widely used as desired because of the relatively high cost and/or lack of availability of suitable workover rigs and derrick structures to install and remove the ESPs. This situation is especially true for offshore wells where workover rigs are extremely expensive, as compared to their onshore equivalents.
To address the issue of the need to use a workover rig, several inventors have conceived of suspending an ESP from coiled tubing in a well to take advantage of the relatively low cost and ease of transportati-on of the units used to install and remove coiled tubing. Coiled tubing is a continuous length of tubing coiled onto a reel or drum.
The drum is driven to the well site where a motorised injector unit is removably mounted CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 on the wellhead to feed the tubing into the well. The same drum and injector unit is used to pull the tubing out of the well. Coiled tubing is widely used for logging deviated wellbores, well stim~ tion, cementing, perforating, drilling and well cleaning. With an ESP suspended on coiled tubing, the previously detrimental issues of relatively high cost 5 and lack of availability of workover rigs are elimin~ted. Examples of ESPs suspended on coiled tubing are shown in US Patents 4,336,415; 4,345,784; 4,374,530; 4,476,923;
4,938,060; and 5,180,014; as well as GB Patent 2,252,777A.
While coiled tubing has many benefits as a means for suspending an ESP within a wellbore, the coiled tubing rig and injector equipment are often too large and/or too 10 tall to fit on relatively small sites, such as on a small offshore platform or in Arctic rig enclosures. Therefore, there is a need for a yet more compact and lightweight system and related methods for deploying an ESP within a wellbore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors hereof have s~lcces~fillly tested an ESP suspended on coiled tubing 15 in a well and have developed several novel features that meet the above needs and overcome the foregoing disadvantages. Specifically, the present invention is a system and related method for deploying an electric submergible pumping system within a wellbore. The electric submergible pumping system has an electrical cable operatively connected thereto. A plurality of sucker rods are connected together to form a sucker 20 rod string, with one end of the sucker rod string connected to the electric submergible pumping system. The electrical cable is attached to the sucker rod string at a plurality of spaced locations by ela",pillg or banding. This deployment system permits the use of relatively inexpensive and manoeuvrable rigs/cranes for the installation, removal and repair of the electric submergible pumping system rather than having to use conventional CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 relatively expensive and larger workover rigs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The drawing is a side elevational view of an electric submergible pumping system deployed within a wellbore on a sucker rod string in accordance with one pler~lled 5 embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As briefly stated above, the present invention is a system and related method for deploying an ESP within a wellbore, ~ltilising a sucker rod string in place of jointed tubing, coiled tubing and cable. This deployment system permits the use of relatively 10 i~ elL~ re and manoeuvrable rigs/cranes for the installation, removal and repair ofthe ESP rather than having to use conventional relatively expensive and larger workover rigs. In addition, sucker rods are relatively inexpensive as compared to joined tubing, coiled tubing and non-torque cable.
To aid in the understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the 15 accolllpanying drawing. As shown in the drawing, a wellbore 10, used for recovering fluids such as water and/or hydrocarbons, penetrates one or more subterranean earthen formations 12. The wellbore 10 includes a wellhead 14 removably connected to an upper portion of a production tubing and/or casing string 16, as is well known to those skilled in the art. If the casing string 16 extends across a fluid producing subterranean 20 formation 12, then the casing string 16 can include at least one opening or perforation 18 for permitting fluids to enter the interior thereof. An electric submergible pumping system (ESP) 20 is shown suspended within the casing string 16, and generally comprises an electric motor 22, an oil-filled motor protector 24, and a pump 26, such as a centrifugal, gear, vane, turbine or positive displacement pump. The ESP 20 is CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 shown in an "up-side down" configuration, commonly known as a "bottom intake system", with the motor 22 above the pump 26, but it should be understood that aconventional configuration with the motor 22 connected below the pump 26 can be used, as desired.
The ESP 20 is vperatively connected to a lower end of a length of conventional sucker rod 28 by way of a threaded connector 30. A string of connected sucker rods 28 acts as a strength member to fully support the weight of the ESP 20; however, as an alternative, the casing string 16 can include a casing shoe (not shown) whereupon a lower portion of the ESP 20, such as the pump 26 is landed to transfer the weight of the 10 ESP 20 to the casing string 16. The sucker rods 28 can be of any commercially available size (i.e. diameter and length) and formed from any material suitable to the wellbore conditions, as all is well known in the art. For examples, sucker rods are made from ferrous metals, ceramics, carbon fibres, fibreglass, or combinations ofthese.
An electrical cable 32 is operatively connected to the ESP 20 to provide 15 electrical power to the motor 22, and is operatively connected at the surface to surface electrical control equipment and a source of electrical power (both not shown), as are both well known in the art. Commercially available electrical cable 32 typically used with ESPs 20 does not have sufficient internal strength to support its own freely suspended weight; therefore, a plurality of bolt-on clamp devices 34 are used to attach 20 the cable 32 to outside of the sucker rods 28. The clamp devices 34 are spaced about every 10 to about 200 feet apart, and are preferably spaced about every 20 to 100 feet apart. The clamp devices 34 can be used alone or in conjunction with one or moreplastic or metallic bands or straps 36, as commonly used to band electrical cable to the outside of production tubing in a well. It should be understood that any form of wrap-CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 around tape, string, band, or straps may be used in the practice of the present invention in conjunction with or apart from the clamp device 34. Further, if the cable 32 includes its own steel wire strength member or members then the clamp devices 34, straps, bands, etc. may not be necessary for a successful application of the present invention. In any 5 event, some form of clamp device 34 is desired to prevent the cable 32 from being loose within the well where movement thereof may cause damage to it by rubbing against the interior surface of the casing string 16.
The annular production arrangement shown in the drawing has a pump intake 38 located adjacP.nt a lower portion of the well 10 adjacent the perforations 18, as desired, 10 or in any other location and configuration suitable to those skilled in the art. One or more sealing devices 40 are used to seal the annular space between the interior of the casing string 16 and the exterior ofthe ESP 20. The sealing devices 40 are preferably one or more retrievable or permanent elastomeric packing elements or "packers", and contact the exterior of the ESP 20 above the pump intake 38 but below the fluid 15 discharge opening of the pump 26.
In one prere,led method of the present invention, the ESP 20 is connected to one end of a first length of sucker rod 28 by way of a threaded male-female coupling 42, which type of coupling is also used to couple each of the sucker rods 28 together to form a sucker rod string, as is well known to those skilled in the art. The elevators on 20 a typical workover rig (not shown) fasten to the coupling 42 to suspend the ESP 20, whereafter the cable 32 is banded or strapped or clamped to the sucker rods 28. The elevators lower the ESP 20 and the sucker rods 28 into the wellbore 10 as additional lengths of sucker rods 28 are connected thereto to form the sucker rod string that suspends the ESP 20. When the ESP 20 is to be retrieved, the workover rig is brought CA 02239001 1998-0~-28 to the well site, the elevators connected to the topmost sucker rod 28, and then the elevators are used to raise the sucker rod string and the ESP, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
The use of sucker rods to deploy an ESP has many advantages over the use of 5 conventional jointed tubing, coiled tubing and cable. Sucker rods are reusable, have almost in~efinite life, and are far less expensive per unit length than jointed tubing, coiled tubing and cable. The use of sucker rods permits the use of relatively small, lightweight, and inexpensive workover rigs for inst~ tion and retrieval. This is especially important for small offshore platforms where space and weight considerations are very important.
10 In addition, the time to install and retrieve an ESP by use of sucker rods is less than for other methods due to the ease of set up and rig down of the workover rig as compared to larger workover units needed for jointed tubing and coiled tubing units.
Wherein the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawing attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, 15 apart from those from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A system for deploying an electric submergible pumping system within a wellbore, comprising:
- an electric submergible pumping system;
- an electrical cable operatively connected to the electric submergible pumping system;
- a plurality of sucker rods connected together to form a sucker rod string, with one end of the sucker rod string connected to the electric submergible pumping system;
and - means for attaching the electrical cable to the sucker rod string at a plurality of spaced locations.
2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the sucker rods are formed from a material selected from the group consisting essentially of ferrous metals, ceramics, carbon fibres, fibreglass, and combinations thereof.
3. The system of Claim 1 wherein the electric submergible pumping system comprises an electric motor assembly, with the electrical cable operatively connected thereto, and a pump.
4. The system of Claim 3 wherein the sucker rod string is connected to one end of the pump.
5. The system of Claim 3 wherein the sucker rod string is connected to one end of the motor assembly.
6. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means for attaching further comprises a plurality of bolt-on clamps.
7. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means for attaching further comprises a plurality of bands.
8. A method of deploying an electric submergible pumping system within a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
(a) operatively connecting one end of an electrical cable to an electric submergible pumping system;
(b) operatively connecting one end of a first length of sucker rod to the electric submergible pumping system;
(c) connecting additional lengths of sucker rod to the first length of sucker rod as the electric submergible pumping system is lowered into the wellbore; and (d) attaching the electrical cable to the lengths of sucker rod as the electric submergible pumping system is lowered into the wellbore.
9. The method of Claim 8 wherein the first length of sucker rod is operatively connected to a motor assembly within the electric submergible pumping system.
10. The method of Claim 8 wherein the first length of sucker rod is operatively connected to a pump within the electric submergible pumping system.
11. The method of Claim 8 wherein the electrical cable is attached to the lengths of sucker rod by clamping.
12. The method of Claim 8 wherein the electrical cable is attached to the lengths of sucker rod by banding.
CA002239001A 1997-05-29 1998-05-28 System for deploying an esp within a wellbore Abandoned CA2239001A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US86499697A 1997-05-29 1997-05-29
US08/864,996 1997-05-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2239001A1 true CA2239001A1 (en) 1998-11-29

Family

ID=25344493

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002239001A Abandoned CA2239001A1 (en) 1997-05-29 1998-05-28 System for deploying an esp within a wellbore

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0881355A3 (en)
CA (1) CA2239001A1 (en)
NO (1) NO982218L (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108071372A (en) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-25 中国计量大学 The simple type recovery method of common seabed combustible ice

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3835929A (en) 1972-08-17 1974-09-17 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for protecting electrical cable for downhole electrical pump service
US4187912A (en) 1977-11-17 1980-02-12 Cramer Robert L Method and apparatus for pumping fluids from bore holes
US4336415A (en) 1980-05-16 1982-06-22 Walling John B Flexible production tubing
US4345784A (en) 1980-05-16 1982-08-24 Walling John B Connector assembly for flexible production tubing
US4476923A (en) 1980-07-21 1984-10-16 Walling John B Flexible tubing production system for well installation
US4374530A (en) 1982-02-01 1983-02-22 Walling John B Flexible production tubing
US4621689A (en) * 1985-09-04 1986-11-11 Trw Inc. Cable suspended submergible pumping system with safety valve
US4938060A (en) 1988-12-30 1990-07-03 Otis Engineering Corp. Downhole inspection system
US5180014A (en) 1991-02-14 1993-01-19 Otis Engineering Corporation System for deploying submersible pump using reeled tubing
GB9207388D0 (en) * 1992-04-03 1992-05-13 Jordan Leslie E Clamps for use with well tubulars
US5255739A (en) * 1992-12-09 1993-10-26 Hubbell Incorporated Clamp for attaching electric submersible pump cable to sucker rod
US5700161A (en) * 1995-10-13 1997-12-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Two-piece lead seal pothead connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO982218D0 (en) 1998-05-15
EP0881355A2 (en) 1998-12-02
EP0881355A3 (en) 1999-11-10
NO982218L (en) 1998-11-30

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