GB2502880A - A shaft bearing sensor for an electric submersible pump - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric submersible pump (ESP) includes a motor and a sensor 328, 332 associated with a shaft 312 or rotor bearing 310 of section of the ESP string. A monitoring module tracks data from the sensor and a control module changes parameters of the ESP string based on the sensor data. Numerous properties of the ESP sting can be monitored, possibly by use of distributed fibre optic sensors.

Description

INSTRUMENTING HIGFI RELIABILITY ELECTRIC

S UBMER SIDLE PUMPS

BACKGROUND

[000ij In artificial Uft for th production of hydrocarbons and other resources. especially for subsea operations, it is important to increase the reliability of electric submersible pumps (E.SPs) and their associated components (he.reinafier, "ESP strings") because the cost of intervention and repair can be very great. Conventional downhole monitoring to help avoid repairs is limited o the intake location and the discharge locanon of a conventional E.SP string and measures oniy pressure. temperature, and vibration at the intake and discharge locations of the E.SP string. Data from such conventional monitoring is sent to surface equipment for conventional intcrprCtatio& hut offcrs only a i'u.Winentar view of problems that may he occurring along the ESP string.

SUMMARY

[00021 Instrumentation for high reliability electric suhthersihie pumps (ESPs) is provided An examp1e stem includes an FSP timg, a sensor associated with a shaft bearing or a rotor bearing of each section of the ES? string, a monitoring modW.e for dyimmically tracking. data of each sensor, and a control modUle for changing an operating parameter of the ESP string based o the dynamic tracking of the sensor data Embedded fiber optics can monitor distrihutd teniperatures of motor coils and can also ninitiplex sensor data sent to the sui lace Sensors mas monitor bearing temperaturts beaung vibration, stator temperatures, distributed temperature profiles., power cable temperatures, shaft RPM, shaft torque, water cut, water ingress, fluid chemistry, bellows pressure, thrust bearing temperature, strain, and wear; eleclrical current leakage, and wye-point electrical phase inibakuice, This summary section is not intePded to give a full description, of instrumenting high reliability electric submersible pumps. A detailed description with example embodiments follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] Fig. 1 is a diagram of an example electric submersible pump (ESP) string, with. running fiber optic strand to monitor components.

100041 Jig. 2 is a diagram of an example pump component of the ESP string, with thrust member.

100051 Fig 3 is a diagram ol an example submersible inoto an ayed with sensors for high reliability.

[00061 Fig, 4 is a diagram of an exampk protector arrayed with senors tbr high reliability.

[9007] Fig 5 is a diagram ot an eamp1e thiust hearing acsembly arraed with sensors br high rbliahilitv.

[0008] Fig. 6 is a diagram of an example pump and. pump intake arrayed with sensors for high reliability.

[0009J Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an example high reliability engine.

100010] Fig 8 is a block diagram of an example devtcc Ioi hosting the high.reliability engine, t01 J Jig 9 is a ficiw diagram of an earnple method of impio rng performance and reliability of an ESP string.

DETAILED DESCRTPTTON

ftIOOl2j This disclosure. describes instrumenting high reliability electric submersible pumps (FSPs). An example system described herein provides high iehahi}ity EM' stnng5 that have cornpiehcnsive sensoi leatuics and enhanced interpetati,o of the comprehensive sensors, The, comprehensive sensot deploy mcnt enables enhanced inonti ormg, anal sis, and £onLrol of mans parts of the ESP string, not just the intake and discharge locations, and provides extended lifespan of components. In the description below, the teirns "control" and "intervention" (or "intervene") are used. interchangeab.ly ?t!he example system includes new tools providing various enhanccd monitoring and intervention capabIlities for an LP string.

Overview [000131 An example ESP string is outfitted with numerous sensors throughout to pi o ide impioved operation and high reliability Flit. ucamplc submersible motor may include current leakage sensor(s) to detect grounding or loss of electucal current at hkelv locations, temperatuie scnsore) it the pothead, fiber optics used as distributed tempera Lure sensor(s in the,stator, ag for monitoring tenip&ature along coIl tctions in the windngs of the motor; ater cut sensor(s) to detumine quality of a hydrocaibon being produced.

RPM and torque eiisor(s) t,o detect the speed. of rotating shafts of the.thotor(s) and/rn pump(s), tempet atw e and/or vibration sensor(s) apphcd to rotor hearings and thrust icmhers. and wyepoint imbalance detector(s) for balancing electrical loads on the three phases in a wye system.

OOOl 4J Suxfac. equipment measures ind analyzes d:ctccted electrical current leakage. Temperatme and vibration can be measured and monitored at multiple rotor hearing locations, One or rn:Ore tcmprature profiles can he obtained along motor lead extension (MLE) cables using fiber optic ox RTDs at potheads I he water cut sensors for o pm ity may he used at multiple locations to also identify water ingrcs.

Example S stems

1900151 Fig. 1 shows an example submersible pumping system 20, with example sensor leads l 8 connected internally to sensors arrayed within the pumping system 20. Submersible pumping system 20 may include a variety of sections and components depending on the particulat apphcaticn or environment in which it is used. Examples of components utilized in pumping system 20 include at least one submersible pump 22 at least one submersible motor 24. and one or more motor protectors 26 that are coupled together to form stages, sections, or segments of the submersible pumping system 20, referred to as an electric submersible pmiip ESP) siring 20.

[00016] In the example system shown, submersible pumping system 20 is designed tbr deployment in a well 28 within a geological formation 30 containing desirable production fluids, such as petroleum, A*weilbore 32 is drilled into formation 30. and, In at least some apiilicatlons, ls lined with a

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weilbore casing 4. Perforations 36. are fonnc.d through weilbore easing 34 to enable flow of fluids between the surrounding formation. 30 and the welibore 32.

[900171 SubmersEbie pumping system 20 is deployed in wellbore 32 by a dcpiornent system $ that may have a aricty of eonfigwitions lior example, deployment systeni 38 may comprise tubing 40, such as coiled tubing or production iuhmg, connected to submersible pump 22 b\ a connector 42 Power vs piovided to the at least on submersible mo[oi 24 ua a power cable 44 The submcisible motor 24, in turn, po ers submersible pump 22 which can be uscd to di 1n production Ibid Unough a pump mtakc 46 Within submersible pump 22, a plurality of impellers is rotated to pump or produce the production fluid through, thr example, tubing 40 to a dcircd collection location which may be at a surface 48 of the Earth.

0003] The illustrated submersible pumping system 20 is only one example of many types of submersible pumping systems that can benefit from the features @escribecj herein. For e*ampie. multiple pump stages and other components can he added to the pumping system, and other deployment systems may be used. Additionally, the production fluids may be. pumped to the collction location through tubing 40 or through an annulus around the deployment system 38. The submersible pump or pumps 22 can also utilize different types of stages, such as mixed flow stages or radial flow stages.

1000191 Fig. 2 shows a cress-sectional. view of one example embodiment of a suhmcrsibk putup 2.2 hg 2 is only one eamp1e of nhmersihlc pump constrictiOn provided Ut show example sensor placement. In this embodiment, submersible pump 22 comprises a plurality of stages, such as stages 50 and 50'.

Each stage 50 comprises an impeller 52 coupled to a shaft St rotatable about a central axis 56. Rotation of shaft 54 by submersible motor 24 causes impellers 52 to rotate within an outer pump housing 58 Each impeller 52 draws fluid in through an bipelkr or stage intake 60 and routes the fluid along an interior impeller passageway 62 before dis barging the fluid through an impeller outlet 64 and into an aia.lly adjacent diffuset 66, The interior passageway 62 is defined by the shape of an impeller housing 68, and housing 68 maybe formed to create an impeller for a floter stge, as ilWstrated in Fig. 2, or 11w a cornprcssion stage Additionally the impeller housing 68 may be designed to eieote a mixed floss stage, a madial flo stage, or another suitable stage style fai use in submersible pump 22.

[00020] In Hg 2 an iniier thrust member 70, such as a thnist washer, is positioned to resist thrusL loads, i.e., to resist dowtithrust loads created by the rotating impeller 52 In this earnple embodiment, thrust washer 70 may he positioned in the profile of an impeller feature 72, such as a recess formed in an upper portion of impeller housing 68. The thrust washer 70 may be disposed bct\seen the impeller S2 and a madially invcud portion 74 of the nc't adja.eat upstream diffuser 66. in an implementation, at least one sensor 76 may be placed jar, against, or within the thrust member 70 and wired through stationary parts of the diffuser housing, such as radially inward portion 74.

Temperature, load, arid position or pioxirnity sensors may he aphed to athiust bça'lug 70 to mcpi* hal or strain nttiq tbrustbeiwkig 70 wtSsiliiyof a runner to the a. thrust b:earing 10. The sensor(s): may nioliltdt'the:'condition or aging of the thrust bearing,. as well as load ch racteristics1, e, for purpocs o.f adjt&ssiug, the toad t spare the thuist bearing or to. tengthen the litespflh tile thrusthearins [00021J Fig. 3 shews' an exan pie motor 24, which may p:ower one or ne annponents or an ESP string, 2.0. Pot exatizple, in etie senorià The t,cáMpk nioti'r 24 may pO*ct multiple pump tagqs The' exaxnplv inotcn 24 baks varirnis har4wae: components and associate& sensn The example motor 24 itay: have a npt<w head *2,. a ffic*of best 04, arid an *uterlwusing 30$. A :totOt 308, suppofted by' rotpr bearinp 310, dt*eg: toWion eta shaft 3 2. A stair 3J:4 y,th 13 inationsprcM&c a rottJng magMrk flelato dite th rkaOi 30t.

Be Slur' 314 bas wln4ings fl6 s4dcb aeaie tie" .,rnagnctk fields when électrteity flows. The rotor aoz ttay áhe have. "li'difl $16, Mduvo:elSfttiagnetic fllds' that' interact'with tile eIec,,nagnetip: fields of' the stat' 3'i4 Mtanatb,y, the rotor' 308 may. ban permanent msgnets instead otndings 3:16. The aiotor 34 may have: Shot cfrathres such. a,:a dnln, and tRt v*c 318 tori otbr oil, such a die1etri $14 4 coup1ig 320 at, the.mo,tar head 302 conneetsc with a pump'22,r a protector:26. fle'arbgs& the shaft3 12 may have assocmtcd thrust members 322cr a Thrust ring to bew the axial load geinte4 by the thaist ti one: or more' operating:pmflps fl Electrh' ly, "the

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motor 24 may have a power tAble.ext.nsion 324 that COnnects to a terminal 326.

[O0023 Vuous types of sensois ma be included in thL FSP stung 20 to monitor many aspects of the above components. The rotor 308., for example, may ha\'c a rotor tempiiaturc sensor 328 There amy also he a pothead temperature sensor 330. Each hearing, such as the rotor bearings or a thrust hearing 322 may have a bearing temperature sensor 332. A fiber oplic strand acting as a distribu Led tmperature sensor 33.4 may be place in the stator 314.

1000241 In an implementation, the example system measures distributed temperature 334 va fiber optics, and also includes vibration sensors 336 at multipLe locations. along the DSP string 20. For example, an example system may deploy distributed tcupctaIurc sunsmg 334 aad vibiation sensors $36 mainly at pump bearings 604 & 606 and rotor bearings, suëh as hearing 322.

In an implementation, An. exampiC system 20 makes measurenient using fiber optics that are placed internally, Lg,, in the motor stator 314, or makes measurements sia ulcetronic gauges strapped to external housing points along the ESP string 20.

[00025] A fiber optic sensor 18 uses optical fiber either as the intrinsic sensing element: or as an extrInsic means Of transmitting signals from remote sensors to the process.ng unit that receives the signals fibers have many uses fbi remote scnsing in the example FSP m trig 20 Fiber is employed because of its small size and because no electrical power is required downhole. Also, numerous sensors.can he multiplexed along a length of a fiber optic strzthd by assigning different wavelengths of light for each, sensor, or by Sensing a corresponding time delay as light passes along the fiber through each sensor along the Tine. The time delay may be determined using an optical time-domain refiectometer or other device.

1000261 Fiber opic sensors arc immune to electromagnetic iterferctce, which is important dowohole given the power being supplied to the submersible niotos) 24 and liher oplies do not conduct electncity so can he utilized where theic is high voltage electucity}ihei optic sensoi' can also he constructed with immunity to very high temperatures.

[00027] As well as measuring disttUmtcd temperatures 334 along its length, an optical fiber can also be used as a sensor to measure strain, pressure and other quaittities by nicdiling the fiber so that the quantity being mcasurcd modulates the intensity, phase, polarization, wavelength, or transit lime of light in the fiber. Sensors that can vary the in;cnsity of light ate the siniplest to employ itt an lISP string 20, since only a simple source and detector are required. An attractive feature of intrinsic fiber optic ensing is that it can provide distributed sensing over very large distances, as when a;vell is very deep.

[0002SJ Temperature can be measured by using a fiber that has evanescent loss that varies with temperatur; or by analyzing the Raman..

scattering of the optical fibei Elecuical oltagc in the I2SP string 20 can be sensed by nonlinear optical etfects in specially-doped fiber, which altcr the polarization of light as a fiincin. of voltage or ciecti.c field. Angie measurement sensors can he based on the Sagnac effect.

[000291 Optical fihci cncors fbi disfributed temperature scncrng 334 and pressure sensing in downhote settings are \el! suited for this environment when temperatures are too high. for semiconductor sensors.

[000301 Fiber optic sensors can be used to measure co-located temperature. and strain simultaneously, e.g., in. an ESP hearingS 404, 406, 604, or 60.6, with very high accuracy using fiber Bragg gratings. This technique is useful when acquirlig information from small complex structures.

io001] A lihei opEn AC/DC toltagc sensot cau he used in the example ESP string 20 to sense AC/DC voltage in the middle and high voltage ranges (100-2000 V) I he sensor dcphiyed by mduuug measuinbie amounts of Kerr nonlinearity in smg[e mode optical fihe by exposing a calculated Tength of fiber to the exter al electric field. This ineasu:remeflt technique is based on polarimetric detection and high accuracy is achieved in hostile downhole environments..

[00032] Electrical power in the ES? string 20 can be measured in a fiber by using a structured bulk fiber ampere sensor coupled with proper signal processing in a potanmeinc dctection scheme.

[00033] When used as a transmission medium for signals from conventional sensors. to the surface, extdnsic fiber optic sensors use n optical fiber cable, normally a multirnode one, to ft-ansmit modulated light from either a non-tiber optical sensor, er an. electronic sensor connected to an optical ii transmitter. Using a ibç,r to transmit data. of extriPsic sensors provides the advantage that the fiber can reach places that are otherwise inaccessible. For example, a fiber can measure tcmpei attire inside a hot component of the ESP string 20 by transmitting radiation into a radiation pyrometer located outside the component F>trrnsic sensors can he i4sed in the bame vay to measure the internal temperature of the submersible motor 24, where the extreme eiectrom.aneti.c. fields present make other measurement I:echniques impossible.

1000341 Fiber optic sensors provide excellent protection of measurement signals from noise corruption. However, some conventional sensors produce decttical Output which must be converted into an optical signal for' use with fiber. For example, in the case of a platinum resistance thermometer, the temperature changes arc traPsated into reistanGe changes. The PRT can. he outlitted with. an electrical power supply. The mcdulated voltage level at the output of the PRT can then be injected into the optical fiber via a usual t pe of transmitter. Low-voltage power might need to be provided to the transducer, in this scen.ari o.

[00035] Extrinsic sensors can also be used with fiber as the transmission medium to the surface to measure vibration, rotation, displacement, velocity, acceleration, torque, and twisting in dc ESP strkg 20.

[0003$] An example elec:tronic module can sense vibrations in various planes or combinations of planes, for example the X and 7 planes in a 3 dimensional space. in an implementation, vibration canceling modules 354 lfl counteract or dampen \ihrations, di rough vibration cancehng technology applied in specific planes.

1000371 Tn one implementation, a cnsor of an e).ample vibration module can obtain vibration spectral data up to I kHz thr a select component along an F..SP string 20, for example, fbr a part of a rotating mptor shaft.

1000381 In an implementation, an example vibration module can be incorporated into Vv FLLNE F Pressure and I crnpeiatnre gauges or the WET I WATChER flux cligual sensoi array systcm (Schlunbcrger Lid, 1-louston Tx).

[000391 The e.amjIe system 20 can also meawre temperature profiles along a power cable, e.g., from surface to ESP string 20. using fiber optics or platinum resistance temj.icrature.detectcr(s) (RTDs' 330, c.g,.at a pothead.

[00040] A rotor vibration sensor 336 may be included to sense relative health of the rotor 30S and its bearings.. Each headng may diso. ha'e a strain sensor 338 and a proximity sensor 340 to sense wear, as measured by changing alignment or ehangingtolerances. The rotating shaft 31,2 of the E.SP Pia have.

an associated tachometer RPM sensor 312 and a torque sensor 344. The torque sensors 344 may be packaged around motor shafts 312 for monitoring, torque and rotational power. Electrically, the ESP may have an electrical current leakage sensor 346 and a wye-pornt voltage or current imbalance. sensor.

The ESP may also have associated chemical sensors 350, and water cut sensors 352. Additional sensors, e.g.. from Wireline Downhole Fluid Analysis tools may be employed to detect gasod ratios, solids content, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide concetitrations. pH, density, viscosity, and. other chemical and physical parameters. The water cut sensors 352 may also be located at various locadcin in an ES? string fof oil purity measurements and for detceting water ingress.

[000411 As shown in Fig. 4, the exainpl.e ES string 20 may also include a protector 6, which intervenes between motor 24 and pump 22, and which has various components and associated sensors. An example protector 26 may include a* shaft 400, shall seal 402, and shaft bearing 404, At least one shaft bearing may have an associated thrust bearing 406 to bear an axial load of the shall 400 generated by pump thrust. In an implementation, a thrust bearing is instrumented by addition of temperature, strain, and proximity sensors to monitor status. The rotectoi'26 may also equalize pressure between the motor 24 and pump 22,. such as equalization of oil expansion between. the two components, 01:' niay equalize pressure hetwccn the ambient well envfronment and the interior of the protector.26, and may therefore include at least one ecpandable hag or bellows chamber 408. The protector 26. that also indlude a ii!ter4lO,when oil in the protector 26 is in communication with motor oil, e.g., the filter 410 keeps motor debris from the protector 26, or. in another or the sune utiplenmentatiori, when the interior of the protector 26 equalizes pressure with the ambient well pressure, to keep well fluid debris from entering the interior of the protector 26.

[90042] The protector 26 may include many types of sensors to monitor and improve operaLion, W keep the protector 26 healthy, and to provide high mliatd11ty The ptotsctor 26 may' Sudà, a fis: optic ran4. 18 to sense dSd:tempa,ua The tibcr'opticstran4 l'8rnay'behe:efiberptic sjran4 18 niwdng cothMuasij tlipw*h rnuth or all utthe ES? sttIng 2& The pr*tectov26 may also include,, e.g.,, fOreath $ca4ng3, ateg, Sire sensor 328 and a via* , ,sensc 3%6. flip bag or b4LQws,dmnbet 40ft may have associated' diltemitial. presire:,,,seiisots 41.2 to. :fneasure for coitipatison.

preE*'' inside: and outside of the hag: 0 heR,,' dbathbe' 408. A prqtèptinn nphanism, for a p'rotcctor suizg employs differential:prcssurc': sensots.412 nteastire pressure iSde and outside The bag or 6eflows 408: of the:prqtector 2t Wile!, a mcehanieal v*eia: m*protectirg the hag or h$km,, ojiamber 408, Itt, excesiive pressure, the protector 26' may itiotudt an eleetrkai pressure rtliet valvc 414 to relkvc excess pressure on a signal from g surthee sensor analyzer iiø) nr °n! .a. Local logic,ckcut The ójictriqai relief valve 414 may k used tn djj, #th ii"s1ta I' relk? valycs. mtrts:pkes$tjre sensors 4i 2 monitor stess on 11w bag beLlows 4D$;: acpordion. or.otber means for equalizing prcs4uit betwten, ;:eg., piotor oil t:ttat4 tne* fluid.

When teSSuft lniilth' t*j due to a methanicE! :rdlef'val* faUir, the: event is detectcd'by dtffcrenftatpx, ,we sensors 4l2,an4,,tbe dectriaákrelief:valve 414 operates tr, pejia: ptcssutG and prevent prOLettOt bag, failure,orhcilóws 408 tail%ire f00t14*J Pig. 5: shows':an expibded'view oVa example thrust:bcarlng i,g..

:322' or 404 The th4tt beatIng 322 may be IS tented by addition of at least one tcnq,crature sensor 332, a strain, senww 3* (e.g., a load.àJ1)3 an4 $ 1$ prxiniity easor: 340. to monitor status. The example proximity sensor 340 has high reliability and long functional life because of an absence of mechanical pails in the pro5cirniw sra 340 and hick of physical contact between the proximity sensor 340 and the sensed bearing or shaft, A suitable proximity sensor 340 can mleasurc the variation hi distance b:etwecn the ha.fl and its support bearing, or between friction interface surfaces of the thrust member 322.

[00044] Fig. 6 shows an: example pump 22 and associated intake 600.

The pump 22 may be a centrifugal pump, but in alternative implementations the carnple pump 2: nrny be anothct tpc of submersible pump such as a diaphragm pump or a progressing cavity pump in another type of submersible piamp string setup. The example: pump:22 has a fluid inTel or intake 600. and a fluid discharge 602. The example pump 22 may have various bearings, such as bearins 604 and bearing 606. Each hearing 604 & 6.06 may have an associated temperature sensor 332 and vibration sensor 336. The fluid intake 600 may also have at],east pressure.sepsot 608, a tempetature sensor 332, and a vibration sensor 336. Likewise, the fluid discharge 602 may have a respective pressure sensor 60$, temperature sensor 3.32, and vibration sensor 3.36, The pump 22 may have at least one associated flow sensor 6 1:0 to determine a current flow fate of the pump 2.2 or other volumetric fluid data. The pump 22 may also have associated at leasi one chemical sensor 350 and at least one water cut sensor 352. These sensors 350 &. 352 can detect a gas-oil ratio.

sohds content, H2S arid CO2 corn cnn aUon, p11 tlui.d detisit>, and fluid Vlscosity, for exampk. The output of the various sensors of the pump 22 may be multiplexed to communicate with the surface using a minimum of communication wifes. or a smglc fiber Optic cable.

[00045} Fig. 7 shows an example high reliability engine 700 for momtoring arious sensors deploycd in an ESP stung 20 and I'm contiolhng components of the ESP string 20 for longer life, high availability, and high reliability. The illustrated high reliability engine 100 is only one example o,f a sensor-interpretation i-nodule and ESP-control moduic. Othei configurations ci a monitor-controller could also be used. The example high reliability engine 700 can he situated: on the surf lee, [or example hosted by a computer, or cart be associated with other components that are on the surface and communicatively coupled with downhole components, such as a variable-speed drive (VSD) 714 or variable frequency drive (JFD). The high reliability engine 700 may also be implemented in a programmable logic controller (PLC). Alternatively, the high reliability engine 700 can be located downhole, as a local module hosted oy a computing device that is local to thc components of the ESP string 20, [90046j In an implementation, the high reliability engine 790 is coupled with the ESP string.20 via a multiplexer 702 that communicates with many sensors over onLy a few wires or fibers 18. and thcn communicates the sensor data to a sensor data input 706 of the high reliability engine 700. In sonic implementabons, Ihe high rthab1ity engine 00 does not ltSL an it1tetvenin rtrnltiplexer 702. The multiplexer 702 may also ipclude a fiber optics multiplexer 704 eg, for wavelength-division multiplexing (WOM) so that many sensors can be monitored over a. one or a few fiber optic strands.

Likewise., the E.SP string 20 may have distributed temperature sensing 334 over One or a few fiber optic strarda.

[00047J The high, .reliability engine 700 nay include a sensor data input 706, and sensor monitoring module 70.8, an interpretation module 71 0, and a.

control module 712. The sensor data input 706 receiVes signals from the sensors cr from the rnultipkxcr 702'. The sensors that generate dat' nla.y include.temperai ore. sensors, distributed tc'm.praturc sensors, vibration sebsors.

vibration spectral data sensorS, pressure sensors, differential pressure sensors, strain sensors, proximity sensors, load, cell scnsors, ditty filter sensors, bearing wear sensors, positional sensors, rotational speed sensors, torque sensors, electiical leakage detectors', wycp.oint imbalance sensors, chemical senscms, water cut sensors, and so forth.

[00048] The,sthsor monitoring module 70.8 keeps track oF the. data of each individual sensor. The sensor monitoring module 708 may track current real-time sensor data, and also may.kcp a history of all data o s1ected data, fbi' a predetermined historical, interval. The interpretation module 710 analyzes the sens,o,r data an,d computes ongoing conclusions about the health of each 13SF string component. The' interpretation module 710' may' signal the control module 712 to rnodif5 an operatmg pararnctei of the 13SF string 20 [00O49j The control module 712 has executive control o'v&r at least sonic operating parametcrs of the FSP strmg 20 and may adjust the operating P1mLtel' to lengdien the hfe of the dowrtholc hardware components by

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preVehtihg wear or keeping the. operating parameters within safe limits. For example, the control module 712 may signal the SD 714 to change an electrical power parameter, such as voltage, amperage, or frequency being supplied 10 the submersible motor 24. The change in electrical power modifies operation of the punip 22, For.xampie, a slight slowing of the pump 22 may greatly reduce wear on a bearing, e.g., 322, 404, 406, 604, 606. Or the slight slowing may a8d life to a pump impeller when an abrasive fluid is being pumped Oi, the pump pecd may be adjusted to result iii a sxfe opeiatmg temperature of the motor 24. protector 26. or pump 22.

100050] Upon receiving signals from the interpretation module 710, the control module 7J 2 may also apply anti-vibration mechanical waves or tcoustic \\cl\t' ia he vibraNu canceling modules 354 In tI1 iniplementation the vibration canceling modules 354 cancel out vibrations in a selected.

vibration plAne.

[00051j The control module 712, upon being signaled by the interpretation module 7f0, may also decrease a ptesstire. either by tapering off the output of the pump 22 or by actuating,a valve, such as electrical pressure relief valve 414, which can spare a bellows / hag / chamber 408 from excessive pressure. The control module 712 may also actuate other valves to divert or rearrange a flow path, in order to improve the operation or increase the lifespan of the components of the ESP string 20. There arc many other valves, solenoids, actuators, eoils motors, and electrical parameters that the control module. 712 can control in order to impovc the performance of the ESP wing or add lifeto.a component. For example., or. sensing wear of a tirustwasher or bearing 322 or 406, the control module 712 may ajust a thrust washer pad, moving the worn pad closer to a contactmg surlace Ihe control module 712 can perform many other interventions, such as adjusting pump operation, to suit the physical characteristics oldie fluid being puihped, tuna scifT-cleaning cycle iP the ESP string 20, activate additional tests and sensors when called for, change position of parts to compensate toi weat perform hudt-in rnaLntcnancc neasIures, dispense lubricants, clean an optical window, switch In a spare or a reserve part (e,g., electrical), and many other remote-control interventions, p.rcmpted. by the sensors and the intcrp?ctation module 710, that improve operation or lengthen the lifespan of a component of the ESP string 20.

(00052] fig. .8 diows an example computing or hardware environment, eg, example device 800, for hosting the high reliability engine 700 of Fig. 7, Thus fig. 8 illustrate.s an example deVice 800 that can he implemented to monitor and analyze sensor data, and control or intervene to help provide improved operation, high reliability, Thd high-availability to an ESP string 20. The shown example device 80Q is only one example of a computing device or programmable device, and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to scope 01 use or functiona]ily of the examplc device 800 and/or its po5slble architectures. Neither should example device.800 be interpreted as havirg any dependency or requirement relating to any one or a combination of components illustrated in the example device 800.

[00053J Eamp]c device $00 includes one or more processors or processnig units 802, one or more memory components 804, one or more input/output (I/O) devices 806, a bus 808 that allows the variOus components and devices to communicate with each other, and includes local data storage 810, among other components.

[000541 Memory 804 generally represents one or more volatile data storage media. Memory component 804 can include volatile media (uch as random access memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as. read only niernory (ROM). flash memory, and so forth), [000551 Bus 80.8 reprs.ens one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and:U rocessor or local bus using an of a varie of bus architectures, Bus 808 can include wired and/or wireless buses.

1000561 Locil data storage 810 can, include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ,ROM, a fixed hard drive, etc.) as well as removable media (e.g., a flash memory drive, a removable hard drive', opticat disks,, magn.tic disks, and so fbrth).

j00057] One or mere input/output devices 806 can allow a user to enter commands and information to example device 800, and also allow information to be precnted to the user and/or other coinponc'nts or devices. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a scanner, and so IbrU. Examples of output devices include a display device (e.g.. a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, a network card, and so forth.

Jo0o58 Aier h tee device may aLso cmmuniak via a user inThce (UI) contreUór 812, iwhich, may co2utect With. the Ut Mice: either directly or through the M:SS.

[000591 A tietworkinterface 814 commuS wi&hardwa such as th &vc 414, uwlttp1exe 702 aitd/ot lOt 354, VSt) 7I4, Vii), and sO tbtth.

10006!)) A mafia dri* /jnterthce 814 aei ts mRa:g si.wh s flash UrWes, optial diska, rernqnble hard dths soltw ptodwa, Ctc, Logic ompu&g MstnSons or a software program comprising elements ofle high reliability engine 7*0 may:rcside onamon* me4ii 818 readable by: flie media dtive I interface t& l000dli Yaou eRni s and.$aQ4We p10w high reflabiluty *ngin 700 jzay be. described herin in the geiieral cuntex of soiiwa:e or progyam modules, at the tdthiqiits and incidules may be iaplerncnu4 computing MrdWare Software genetally includes routes,, programs, objecis, ctnpøtms, dta stttcttstts, and so fotth mt perform patdbular tSkE or intiplemeat partiqilar abstract dsta types Mi impkn, 5on of these od tad. techniques may be storM on ortransmitted across some 1mm of tanEible c*mputer readable meat Computer readabLe media can be any available data storage mcdi or ptdla that is tngiblç and cait be accessed by a computing 4evice C patti' rcadib1ttnedlanaay thus iornprtsettnptner strnage meat j00062] toi4$t storag mneiC include VOlatIle.and npiwolatuleb ii movabh and non -rernovablg tagftle media bnpiemented tbr siotagc of informatiOn such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Comput storaRe media include. but. are not lithited to, RAM. RUM, EE:PROM, flash metnory or other memory technology.. CD ROM, digital versatTle disks (DVD; or other optical storage magnetic cassettes niagnctic tape nwgnetic dish storage ci ower magnetic 4magc devices, or any other tangible medium which can be used to store the deired information, and whibb can he accessed by a computer.

Example Methcd

1009631 Fig. 9 is an example method 9G0 of improving performance and reliability of an ES? s'ing. In the flow diagram, operations are represented by irtdividual blocks. The example method. may he per±brmed by hardware. and software elements, such as the example high reliability engine 700.

100064] At hIOdL p02, an electric uhniersjhIe pump (ES?) string is outfitted with at least one motor and a sensor associated with at least a shaft hearing or a rotor hearin.g of each section of the ES? string.

[00065] At block 904, sensor data is dynamically tracked by a monitoring module.

[00066] At block 906, n operating Parameter of a componcnt, of the YSP string is. changed by a control module, based on the dynamic tracking of the sensor data.

Cone liithbti IO67j A1thpuh only a few example embodiments have been. described Lit ditali abwe, Ssc skflled in the art will, cadity. appSato many inedificadons are pssibit:1)1 th example embodimenis without niatSuilly 4pati!, from Iha sutjcct rnatter MtShg1y,, all siiàh niodhtcations: arc inttnded to be induded within the seo of this 4isclosure as defined in 11w fo1lwing thiims., in, tbc claims, mea pIus-f,,ction chrnses are Scndtd to (Qove' the stnzctarqs destrlhed berth,. s, pøt*S ng the recited ut'tiàn. and it only' struttutal equivalefltsr but also equivalent Stnzctptes. it is the expri inttadon. ot tie! PtiMflt not tp invakc 35 tnt.. 112. paragtapb 6 Lot any limitations of any' of' the clalins' herein etept tr those in which the claim apressly nscs the words means for 4pgetrftKç, pssodatel tatkon. cLMMS