US20040144534A1 - Self lubricating submersible pumping system - Google Patents
Self lubricating submersible pumping system Download PDFInfo
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- US20040144534A1 US20040144534A1 US10/352,454 US35245403A US2004144534A1 US 20040144534 A1 US20040144534 A1 US 20040144534A1 US 35245403 A US35245403 A US 35245403A US 2004144534 A1 US2004144534 A1 US 2004144534A1
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- recited
- fluid
- submersible
- pump
- submersible pump
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- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 title claims description 33
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 10
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 11
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000153 supplemental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
- E21B43/121—Lifting well fluids
- E21B43/128—Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D13/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D13/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D13/06—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven
- F04D13/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven for submerged use
- F04D13/10—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the pump being electrically driven for submerged use adapted for use in mining bore holes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/06—Lubrication
- F04D29/061—Lubrication especially adapted for liquid pumps
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the production of hydrocarbon-based fluids from subterranean locations, and particularly to a technique for lubricating components in a pumping system utilized in producing such fluids from beneath the earth's surface.
- the production of fluids from subterranean reservoirs is accomplished by a variety of methods.
- oil is commonly produced to the surface of the earth by drilling a wellbore into a formation containing the desired fluid.
- an artificial lift mechanism is deployed within the wellbore, and oil is produced to the surface of the earth or to another storage location.
- the artificial lift is commonly provided by pumping systems, such as electric submersible pumping systems.
- pumping systems such as electric submersible pumping systems.
- a submersible pump powered by a submersible motor is moved into the wellbore until at least partially submersed in the fluid that has flowed into the wellbore from the surrounding formation.
- the pump is then powered to move the fluid, e.g. oil, from the wellbore to a desired location.
- the fluid contains particulates, such as sand, that can be detrimental to the operation of certain system components, such as the submersible pump.
- the abrasive particles can wear on certain surfaces, such as bearing surfaces, within the submersible pump.
- sand separators have been disposed upstream of the submersible pump to separate sand from the oil before the oil is drawn into the submersible pump. The removal of sand decreases the pump wear. However, the removal of sand decreases efficiency and can create substantial amounts of sand within the wellbore. This sand either accumulates in the wellbore or must somehow be removed.
- the present invention provides an efficient technique for reducing wear on certain component surfaces otherwise susceptible to wear during the pumping of a fluid containing particulate matter.
- the technique separates particulates from at least a portion of the fluid, e.g. oil, produced by the submersible pump to create a supply of lubricant having substantially lower particulate content.
- This modified fluid is directed back to a desired component, such as the submersible pump, to provide a better quality lubricant for specific surfaces, such as bearing surfaces.
- FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an exemplary fluid production device incorporating a lubrication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a front elevational of a portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 with a particulate separator illustrated in partial-cutaway form;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary particulate separator shown in a cross-section taken generally along its axis;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary submersible pump taken generally along its axis.
- an artificial lift mechanism 10 is illustrated at a subterranean location 12 .
- artificial lift mechanism 10 comprises an electric submersible pumping system.
- an electric submersible pumping system a variety of artificial lift mechanisms can be utilized, and the number, type and arrangement of components within a given artificial lift mechanism may vary substantially.
- artificial lift mechanism 10 will be described as an electric submersible pumping system having the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 1 and described below.
- electric submersible pumping system 10 is deployed in a wellbore environment in which a wellbore 14 is drilled into a subterranean formation 16 containing a hydrocarbon-based fluid, such as oil 18 .
- wellbore 14 is lined with a wellbore casing 20 having a plurality of openings 22 , sometimes referred to as perforations, through which oil 18 flows from formation 16 into wellbore 14 .
- Wellbore casing 20 extends upwardly through wellbore 14 to a wellhead 24 that may be disposed, for example, at a surface 26 of the earth.
- the exemplary electric submersible pumping system 10 comprises a submersible motor 28 powered by an electrical power cable 30 .
- System 10 further comprises a motor protector 32 and a submersible pump 34 having a pump intake 36 .
- submersible pump 34 comprises a centrifugal style pump.
- submersible pump 34 , motor protector 32 and submersible motor 28 are illustrated as coupled to each other for purposes of explanation only. Additional motors, pumps or other components can be inserted or exchanged for a given application.
- Electric submersible pumping system 10 further comprises a particulate separator 38 disposed downstream from submersible pump 34 .
- Particulate separator 38 is designed to separate particles, such as sand, from at least a portion of the produced fluid, e.g. oil 18 .
- System 10 typically is coupled to a deployment system 40 by, for example, a connector 42 .
- Deployment system 40 is representative of a variety of available deployment systems, such as production tubing, coiled tubing and cable systems.
- a production tubing 44 is used to suspend system 10 within wellbore 14 and to direct the flow of fluid produced by submersible pump 34 to, for example, surface 26 of the earth.
- submersible motor 28 rotates a pump shaft 45 (see FIG. 2) to create a pumping action, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- a produced fluid such as oil 18
- This produced fluid is drawn into pump intake 36 , directed through submersible pump 34 and into particulate separator 38 .
- This produced fluid represented by arrows 46
- This produced fluid ultimately is produced to a desired location by, for example, production tubing 44 .
- this fluid flow 46 undergoes a separation process to remove particulate matter.
- a modified fluid 48 results. (See arrow representing modified fluid 48 in FIG. 2). Because the particulate matter is removed, the modified fluid 48 has better lubrication qualities and can be directed to desired areas that benefit from those qualities.
- One exemplary separation mechanism 50 comprises a hydrocyclone separator disposed within particulate separator 48 (see FIG. 2).
- Hydrocyclone separator 50 is one type of centrifugal separator that receives a portion of the produced fluid 46 and separates particulate matter to form modified fluid 48 .
- the hydrocyclone separator 50 is fluidically coupled to a separator shaft 52 which, in turn, is coupled to pump shaft 45 .
- a passageway 54 directs modified fluid 48 from the hydrocyclone separator 50 to one or more desired locations, such as specific locations within submersible pump 34 .
- passageway 54 is disposed through separator shaft 52 and pump shaft 45 to form a flow path for modified fluid 48 .
- Separator 38 is designed to create a pressure on modified fluid 48 , as it passes through passageway 54 , that is greater than the ambient pressure surrounding electric submersible pumping system 10 .
- a variety of separation mechanisms 50 can be utilized to create modified fluid 48 , as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.
- the produced fluid 46 from submersible pump 34 is directed into particulate separator 38 , as indicated in FIG. 3.
- the fluid 46 flows into a circulating blade 58 mounted to separator shaft 52 .
- Rotating blade 58 imparts a rotation to fluid 46 such that centrifugal force causes the heavier particulates to move outwardly to a surrounding wall 60 .
- the particulates can be redirected, for example, back into the primary production flow and ultimately through tubing 44 , or they can be directed to another location.
- modified fluid 48 The fluid from which the particulates have been removed, i.e. modified fluid 48 , is directed downwardly through passageway 54 which is initiated in separator shaft 52 .
- the higher pressure of modified fluid 48 relative to ambient can be created by, for example, a constriction 62 formed along wall 60 .
- the particular pressurizing mechanism may vary depending on the type of separation mechanism 50 used in creating modified fluid 48 .
- modified fluid 48 is directed along passageway 54 from separator shaft 52 into submersible pump shaft 45 .
- the fluid 48 flows along passageway 54 to a plurality of desired lubrication regions 64 .
- lubrication regions 64 generally comprise a plurality of bearings, such as radial bearings 66 or thrust bearing system 68 .
- Thrust bearing system 68 typically has a thrust bearing 70 and a rotor 72 .
- the exemplary passageway 54 comprises an axial passage segment 74 and a plurality of transverse passage segments 76 disposed to direct flow of modified fluid 48 to the desired lubrication regions, e.g. bearings 66 and 68 .
- desired lubrication regions 64 may be at non-bearing locations or in other types of submersible pumping system components.
- the illustrated bearing 66 and 68 are merely representative and can comprise a variety of other types of bearings.
- the bearings can be stage radial bearings, thrust bearings, including pivoted pad thrust bearings, tilted pad bearings and/or ceramic bearings, as well as magnetic coupling bearings.
- the bearings can be deployed within bearing housings that have appropriate openings to permit the flowthrough of production fluid 46 .
- flow paths 78 are formed through or along thrust bearing system 68 to facilitate continued flow through submersible pump 34 via a plurality of impellers 80 and diffusers 82 , as known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
- the modified fluid 48 is directed through appropriate transverse passages 64 proximate the corresponding bearing surfaces requiring lubrication.
- the modified fluid 48 is under a higher pressure that forces the modified fluid along the desired bearing surfaces and out into the production flow.
- modified fluid 48 may be supplied from a downhole fluid purifier or sand separator disposed at a separate location. Additionally, a clean supply of lubricant can be provided through appropriate tubing from other locations.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
Abstract
A lubrication technique for one or more components used in the production of subterranean fluids. The technique comprises the separation of particulates from a produced fluid having lubricating ability. Following separation of the particulate matter, the lubricating fluid is directed to specific areas, such as bearing surfaces within a submersible pump, to facilitate continued operation of the overall system.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to the production of hydrocarbon-based fluids from subterranean locations, and particularly to a technique for lubricating components in a pumping system utilized in producing such fluids from beneath the earth's surface.
- The production of fluids from subterranean reservoirs is accomplished by a variety of methods. For example, oil is commonly produced to the surface of the earth by drilling a wellbore into a formation containing the desired fluid. Subsequently, an artificial lift mechanism is deployed within the wellbore, and oil is produced to the surface of the earth or to another storage location. The artificial lift is commonly provided by pumping systems, such as electric submersible pumping systems. When using such a system, a submersible pump powered by a submersible motor is moved into the wellbore until at least partially submersed in the fluid that has flowed into the wellbore from the surrounding formation. The pump is then powered to move the fluid, e.g. oil, from the wellbore to a desired location.
- In some wellbore environments, the fluid contains particulates, such as sand, that can be detrimental to the operation of certain system components, such as the submersible pump. For example, the abrasive particles can wear on certain surfaces, such as bearing surfaces, within the submersible pump. In some applications, sand separators have been disposed upstream of the submersible pump to separate sand from the oil before the oil is drawn into the submersible pump. The removal of sand decreases the pump wear. However, the removal of sand decreases efficiency and can create substantial amounts of sand within the wellbore. This sand either accumulates in the wellbore or must somehow be removed.
- The present invention provides an efficient technique for reducing wear on certain component surfaces otherwise susceptible to wear during the pumping of a fluid containing particulate matter. The technique separates particulates from at least a portion of the fluid, e.g. oil, produced by the submersible pump to create a supply of lubricant having substantially lower particulate content. This modified fluid is directed back to a desired component, such as the submersible pump, to provide a better quality lubricant for specific surfaces, such as bearing surfaces.
- The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:
- FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an exemplary fluid production device incorporating a lubrication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a front elevational of a portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 with a particulate separator illustrated in partial-cutaway form;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary particulate separator shown in a cross-section taken generally along its axis; and
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an exemplary submersible pump taken generally along its axis.
- Referring generally to FIG. 1, an
artificial lift mechanism 10 is illustrated at asubterranean location 12. In this specific embodiment,artificial lift mechanism 10 comprises an electric submersible pumping system. However, it should be noted that a variety of artificial lift mechanisms can be utilized, and the number, type and arrangement of components within a given artificial lift mechanism may vary substantially. For purposes of explanation,artificial lift mechanism 10 will be described as an electric submersible pumping system having the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 1 and described below. - As illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, electric
submersible pumping system 10 is deployed in a wellbore environment in which awellbore 14 is drilled into asubterranean formation 16 containing a hydrocarbon-based fluid, such asoil 18. In the example illustrated,wellbore 14 is lined with awellbore casing 20 having a plurality ofopenings 22, sometimes referred to as perforations, through whichoil 18 flows fromformation 16 intowellbore 14.Wellbore casing 20 extends upwardly throughwellbore 14 to awellhead 24 that may be disposed, for example, at asurface 26 of the earth. - The exemplary electric
submersible pumping system 10 comprises asubmersible motor 28 powered by anelectrical power cable 30.System 10 further comprises amotor protector 32 and asubmersible pump 34 having apump intake 36. In this example,submersible pump 34 comprises a centrifugal style pump. Furthermore,submersible pump 34,motor protector 32 andsubmersible motor 28 are illustrated as coupled to each other for purposes of explanation only. Additional motors, pumps or other components can be inserted or exchanged for a given application. - Electric
submersible pumping system 10 further comprises aparticulate separator 38 disposed downstream fromsubmersible pump 34.Particulate separator 38 is designed to separate particles, such as sand, from at least a portion of the produced fluid,e.g. oil 18.System 10 typically is coupled to adeployment system 40 by, for example, aconnector 42.Deployment system 40 is representative of a variety of available deployment systems, such as production tubing, coiled tubing and cable systems. In the specific design illustrated, aproduction tubing 44 is used to suspendsystem 10 withinwellbore 14 and to direct the flow of fluid produced bysubmersible pump 34 to, for example,surface 26 of the earth. - During operation of electric
submersible pumping system 10,submersible motor 28 rotates a pump shaft 45 (see FIG. 2) to create a pumping action, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A produced fluid, such asoil 18, is drawn intopump intake 36, directed throughsubmersible pump 34 and intoparticulate separator 38. This produced fluid, represented byarrows 46, ultimately is produced to a desired location by, for example,production tubing 44. However, at least a portion of thisfluid flow 46 undergoes a separation process to remove particulate matter. Once particulate matter is removed, a modifiedfluid 48 results. (See arrow representing modifiedfluid 48 in FIG. 2). Because the particulate matter is removed, the modifiedfluid 48 has better lubrication qualities and can be directed to desired areas that benefit from those qualities. - One
exemplary separation mechanism 50 comprises a hydrocyclone separator disposed within particulate separator 48 (see FIG. 2).Hydrocyclone separator 50 is one type of centrifugal separator that receives a portion of the producedfluid 46 and separates particulate matter to form modifiedfluid 48. Thehydrocyclone separator 50 is fluidically coupled to aseparator shaft 52 which, in turn, is coupled topump shaft 45. - A
passageway 54 directs modifiedfluid 48 from thehydrocyclone separator 50 to one or more desired locations, such as specific locations withinsubmersible pump 34. In the embodiment illustrated,passageway 54 is disposed throughseparator shaft 52 andpump shaft 45 to form a flow path for modifiedfluid 48. Separator 38 is designed to create a pressure on modifiedfluid 48, as it passes throughpassageway 54, that is greater than the ambient pressure surrounding electricsubmersible pumping system 10. - A variety of
separation mechanisms 50 can be utilized to create modifiedfluid 48, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. In this generic example, the producedfluid 46 fromsubmersible pump 34 is directed intoparticulate separator 38, as indicated in FIG. 3. Thefluid 46 flows into a circulatingblade 58 mounted toseparator shaft 52. Rotatingblade 58 imparts a rotation tofluid 46 such that centrifugal force causes the heavier particulates to move outwardly to a surroundingwall 60. The particulates can be redirected, for example, back into the primary production flow and ultimately throughtubing 44, or they can be directed to another location. - The fluid from which the particulates have been removed, i.e. modified
fluid 48, is directed downwardly throughpassageway 54 which is initiated inseparator shaft 52. Depending on the design ofseparator mechanism 50, the higher pressure of modifiedfluid 48 relative to ambient can be created by, for example, aconstriction 62 formed alongwall 60. However, the particular pressurizing mechanism may vary depending on the type ofseparation mechanism 50 used in creating modifiedfluid 48. - In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, modified
fluid 48 is directed alongpassageway 54 fromseparator shaft 52 intosubmersible pump shaft 45. The fluid 48 flows alongpassageway 54 to a plurality of desiredlubrication regions 64. In this example,lubrication regions 64 generally comprise a plurality of bearings, such asradial bearings 66 or thrustbearing system 68.Thrust bearing system 68 typically has athrust bearing 70 and arotor 72. Theexemplary passageway 54 comprises anaxial passage segment 74 and a plurality oftransverse passage segments 76 disposed to direct flow of modifiedfluid 48 to the desired lubrication regions,e.g. bearings - It should be noted that desired
lubrication regions 64 may be at non-bearing locations or in other types of submersible pumping system components. Additionally, the illustratedbearing production fluid 46. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, flowpaths 78 are formed through or alongthrust bearing system 68 to facilitate continued flow throughsubmersible pump 34 via a plurality ofimpellers 80 anddiffusers 82, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. - Simultaneously, the modified
fluid 48 is directed through appropriatetransverse passages 64 proximate the corresponding bearing surfaces requiring lubrication. In a typical application, the modifiedfluid 48 is under a higher pressure that forces the modified fluid along the desired bearing surfaces and out into the production flow. - In some applications, it may be advantageous to provide a supplemental or alternative supply of modified
fluid 48. For example, the modified fluid may be supplied from a downhole fluid purifier or sand separator disposed at a separate location. Additionally, a clean supply of lubricant can be provided through appropriate tubing from other locations. - It should be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, a variety of pumping systems can benefit from the type of lubricating technique discussed herein. A wide variety of pump styles, currently available or potentially developed in the future, may benefit from the lubrication of specific regions. Additionally, the fluid can be directed along other types of passageways if the pump or other lubricated component does not comprise a shaft. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims (34)
1. A lubrication system, comprising:
an electric submersible pumping system having a submersible pump and a particulate separator disposed downstream of the submersible pump, the submersible pump comprising a shaft with an internal lubrication flow path positioned to receive a fluid from the particulate separator subsequent to separation of particulates:from the fluid.
2. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the submersible pump comprises a plurality of bearing regions, and the internal lubrication flow path extends to the plurality of bearing regions.
3. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the particulate separator comprises a centrifugal sand separator.
4. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electric submersible pumping system comprises an electric motor to drive the submersible pump and the particulate separator.,
5. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the internal lubrication flow path comprises an axial passage disposed along an axis of the shaft and a plurality of transverse passages extending from the axial passage to the exterior of the shaft.
6. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the particulate separator comprises a hydrocyclone separator.
7. The lubrication system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fluid is obtained from a primary fluid flow produced by the submersible pump.
8. A method of lubricating a wellbore component with a formation fluid, comprising:
producing a fluid from a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation;
within the wellbore, separating particulates from at least a portion of the fluid to obtain a modified fluid; and
directing the modified fluid to a desired lubrication region of a wellbore component.
9. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein producing comprises pumping the fluid with a submersible pump.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein separating comprises separating the particulates downstream of the submersible pump.
11. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein directing comprises routing the modified fluid to a plurality of regions within the submersible pump.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein pumping comprises pumping the fluid with a submersible, centrifugal pump having a pump shaft.
13. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein routing comprises moving the modified fluid through a passageway formed in the pump shaft.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein moving comprises lubricating a plurality of bearings within the submersible pump.
15. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein separating comprises utilizing a hydrocyclone to obtain the modified fluid.
16. The method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising maintaining the modified fluid at a pressure higher than the ambient pressure.
17. A method of lubricating a submersible pump used in a wellbore application, comprising:
pumping an oil-based fluid with a submersible pump driven by a pump shaft;
separating particulates from a portion of the oil-based fluid subsequent to pumping to form a modified fluid; and
directing the modified fluid through a passageway in the pump shaft to desired lubrication regions.
18. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein directing comprises directing the modified fluid to a plurality of bearings in the submersible pump.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein separating comprises circulating the portion in a hydrocyclone separator.
20. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein directing comprises moving the modified fluid along an axial passageway in the shaft to a transverse passageway proximate a bearing.
21. The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein pumping comprises powering the submersible pump via a submersible motor.
22. The method as recited in claim 17 , further comprising maintaining the modified fluid at an internal pressure within the passageway, the internal pressure being greater than ambient pressure.
23. The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein directing comprises directing the modified fluid to a plurality of bearings in the submersible pump.
24. A submersible-pumping system, comprising:
a submersible motor;
a submersible pump powered by the motor;
a separator disposed downstream of the submersible pump, the separator being able to separate particulates from at least a portion of the fluid produced by the submersible pump to create a modified fluid; and
a lubrication system disposed to direct modified fluid from the separator to a select region of the submersible pump.
25. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim, 24, wherein the submersible pump is a centrifugal pump having a pump shaft.
26. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim 25 , wherein the lubrication system comprises a passageway in the pump shaft.
27. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the passageway comprises an axial portion and a plurality of transverse portions.
28. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim 27 , wherein the submersible pump comprises a plurality of bearing areas positioned to receive modified fluid directed through the plurality of transverse portions.
29. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the modified fluid in the passageway is maintained at a pressure higher than ambient pressure.
30. The submersible pumping system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the separator comprises a hydrocyclone separator.
31. A system for lubricating a submersible pump in a wellbore application, comprising:
means for pumping an oil-based fluid with a submersible pump driven by a pump shaft;
means for separating particulates from a portion of the oil-based fluid subsequent to pumping to form a modified fluid; and
means for directing the modified fluid through a passageway in the pump shaft to desired lubrication regions.
32. The system as recited in claim 31 , wherein the means for pumping comprises a centrifugal pump.
33. The system as recited in claim 31 , wherein the means for separating comprises a particulate separator located downstream of the submersible pump.
34. The system as recited in claim 31 , wherein the means for directing comprises a plurality of passageway sections positioned to deliver modified fluid to a plurality of bearings.
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US10/352,454 US20040144534A1 (en) | 2003-01-28 | 2003-01-28 | Self lubricating submersible pumping system |
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US10/352,454 US20040144534A1 (en) | 2003-01-28 | 2003-01-28 | Self lubricating submersible pumping system |
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US20110186302A1 (en) * | 2009-12-23 | 2011-08-04 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Rigless low volume pump system |
US20120048113A1 (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-01 | General Electric Company | System and method for multiphase pump lubrication |
WO2012134639A2 (en) * | 2011-03-29 | 2012-10-04 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Esp with offset laterally loaded bearings |
US20130277065A1 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2013-10-24 | Welltec A/S | Artificial lift tool |
US8834133B2 (en) | 2010-08-05 | 2014-09-16 | Bp Corporation North America Inc. | Pumping device for fluids located at the bottom of a drilled well |
US20150326094A1 (en) * | 2012-09-12 | 2015-11-12 | Christopher E. Cunningham | Subsea Compressor or Pump with Hermetically Sealed Electric Motor and with Magnetic Coupling |
WO2016131080A1 (en) * | 2015-02-19 | 2016-08-25 | Intelligent Electric Motor Solutions Pty Ltd | A self-lubricating pump arrangement |
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US10030490B2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2018-07-24 | Bp Corporation North America, Inc. | Reciprocating pumps for downhole deliquification systems and fluid distribution systems for actuating reciprocating pumps |
US10161418B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2018-12-25 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | Coupling an electric machine and fluid-end |
US10221662B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-03-05 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | Submersible well fluid system |
US10337312B2 (en) | 2017-01-11 | 2019-07-02 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Electrical submersible pumping system with separator |
US10393115B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2019-08-27 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | Subsea multiphase pump or compressor with magnetic coupling and cooling or lubrication by liquid or gas extracted from process fluid |
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Owner name: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LEE, WOON Y.;REEL/FRAME:013709/0553 Effective date: 20030102 |
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