US20090041597A1 - Combined Seal Head and Pump Intake for Electrical Submersible Pump - Google Patents
Combined Seal Head and Pump Intake for Electrical Submersible Pump Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090041597A1 US20090041597A1 US11/836,549 US83654907A US2009041597A1 US 20090041597 A1 US20090041597 A1 US 20090041597A1 US 83654907 A US83654907 A US 83654907A US 2009041597 A1 US2009041597 A1 US 2009041597A1
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- Prior art keywords
- seal section
- head
- pump
- shaft
- motor
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Classifications
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- 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
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C1/00—Rotary-piston machines or engines
- F01C1/08—Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co- operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
- F01C1/10—Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co- operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member
- F01C1/107—Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co- operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C13/00—Adaptations of machines or pumps for special use, e.g. for extremely high pressures
- F04C13/008—Pumps for submersible use, i.e. down-hole pumping
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/0057—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmission specially adapted for machines or pumps
- F04C15/0061—Means for transmitting movement from the prime mover to driven parts of the pump, e.g. clutches, couplings, transmissions
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/0057—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmission specially adapted for machines or pumps
- F04C15/0076—Fixing rotors on shafts, e.g. by clamping together hub and shaft
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C15/00—Component parts, details or accessories of machines, pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C2/00 - F04C14/00
- F04C15/06—Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2/00—Rotary-piston machines or pumps
- F04C2/08—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
- F04C2/10—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member
- F04C2/107—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth
- F04C2/1071—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth the inner and outer member having a different number of threads and one of the two being made of elastic materials, e.g. Moineau type
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- 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
- F04D29/08—Sealings
- F04D29/10—Shaft sealings
- F04D29/106—Shaft sealings especially adapted for liquid pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/70—Use of multiplicity of similar components; Modular construction
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to electrical submersible well pumps, and in particular to connections between the seal section of the pump assembly and the pump.
- a typical pump assembly has an electrical motor with a seal section or protector on its upper end.
- the motor is filled with a dielectric lubricant.
- the seal section has an equalizer in communication with that lubricant.
- the equalizer is also in fluid communication with the well bore fluid for equalizing the pressure of the lubricant to that of the well bore fluid.
- the seal section will also have a thrust bearing for absorbing downward thrust from the pump.
- the pumping assembly may comprise one or more pumps and optionally a gas separator.
- the pumps are rotary pumps driven by a shaft of the motor. They may be either progressing cavity pumps or they may be centrifugal pumps having a large number of stages, each stage having an impeller and a diffuser. If a gas separator is employed, typically it has a rotary gas separating component for separating gas from the well fluid prior to the well fluid entering the pump.
- a different connector is required on the lower end of the pump depending upon whether the pump is to connect directly to a seal section or to another component of the pumping assembly, such as a gas separator or another pump.
- the connectors are not readily interchangeable between pumps, thus the manufacturer may be required to keep both types. The reason for having both types of pumps has to do with whether the connector has intake ports or not. If the pump is connecting to an upstream component such as another pump or a gas separator, its connector would not have intake ports in it. If connecting directly to the seal section, the connector would need intake ports.
- pump 31 is a centrifugal pump having a number of stages, each stage having an impeller 33 and a diffuser 35 .
- Pump 31 has a connector 37 on its lower end for connecting to other components of the pumping assembly.
- Connector 37 has external threads 39 that connect to internal threads in the housing of pump 31 .
- Connector 37 has a flange 41 on its lower end containing a pattern of holes 43 , each for receiving a bolt 45 .
- Connector 37 does not have any intake ports leading directly to the exterior for drawing in well bore fluid. The reason is that pump 31 is constructed to be a tandem pump or one for connection to a gas separator below it. In those instances, the intake ports would be in lower connector of the lower tandem pump or in the lower connector of the gas separator.
- Intake housing 47 is a separate sub that has intake ports 49 for well fluid to pass inward and up to pump 31 .
- Intake housing 47 has its own short shaft 51 mounted therein and which connects to pump shaft 53 by a coupling 55 .
- a radial bearing 57 supports intale shaft 51 in housing 47 .
- Radial bearing 57 does not form a seal.
- a coupling on the lower end of intake housing shaft 51 will connect it to a seal section shaft (not shown).
- Intake housing 47 has a radial flange 61 for bolting to the seal section (not shown). While combining pump 31 with intake housing 47 allows a manufacturer to use pump 31 either as a tandem pump or as a single pump without a gas separator, it requires extra expense because of intake housing 47 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates another prior art pump 63 having a pump shaft 65 .
- a connector 67 has upper exterior threads 69 for engaging mating threads in the interior of the housing of pump 63 .
- Connector 67 has intake ports 71 for drawing in well fluid to pump 63 .
- Connector 67 also has radial bearings or bushings 73 for supporting shaft 65 . Bearings 73 do not form a seal.
- a coupling 75 on the lower end of shaft 65 connects the shaft to the seal section shaft (not shown).
- Connector 67 also has a flange 77 for bolting directly to the seal section.
- Pump 63 is operable only by connecting it directly to the seal section. It cannot be used as a tandem pump because of its intake ports 71 . In addition, connectors 67 and 37 ( FIG. 1 ) cannot be interchanged. Shaft 65 protrudes farther than shaft 53 ( FIG. 1 ) because of the need for space for intake ports 71 . Consequently, to avoid the expense of having to use a separate intake housing 47 , an operator may choose to stock both types of pumps 31 and 63 .
- the seal section between the motor and the pumping assembly has a head on its end with an intake.
- the intake draws well bore fluid into the pump.
- the pump assembly whether it includes is a gas separator, multiple pumps, or a single pump, has a simple connector on its lower end without intake ports. Placing the intake in the head of the seal section allows a standard connector to be utilized on all of the pumps regardless of whether the pump is to be connected directly to the seal section or to an upstream component of the pumping assembly.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of one prior art type of pump connector and an intake sub.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another prior art type of pump connector.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electrical submersible pumping assembly constructed in accordance with this invention.
- FIG. 4A is an enlarged sectional view of a seal section head and a lower portion of the pump of the assembly of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a central portion of the seal section of the assembly of FIG. 3 .
- electrical submersible pumping assembly (ESP) 11 is shown suspended in a cased well 13 .
- ESP assembly 11 includes a motor 15 , which is normally located on the lower end of the assembly, but in some instances on an upper end.
- a seal section 17 connects to the upper end of motor 15 . Seal section 17 equalizes the pressure of lubricant within motor 15 to that of the well fluid in the well.
- Seal section 17 has a head 19 on its upper end. Head 19 forms a part of seal section 17 and has intake ports 21 for drawing well fluid into head 19 .
- ESP 11 may include an optional gas separator 23 , which connects to the upper end of seal section head 19 . Gas separator 23 separates gas from the well fluid flowing into intake 21 and discharges the gas out the gas outlet 25 . The liquid components flow upward to a pump 27 that connects to the upper end of gas separator 23 .
- Pump 27 may be a centrifugal pump or another type of rotary pump, such as a progressing cavity pump. Pump 27 is suspended by a string of tubing 29 through which the pump discharges.
- Gas separator 23 is employed only if conditions merit; in many instances pump 27 would connect directly to seal section head 19 . Another pump could optionally be connected to the upper end of pump 27 in a tandem arrangement.
- pump 27 has a standard connector 79 on its lower end that is employed whether pump 27 connects directly to seal section 17 , to another pump, or to gas separator 23 ( FIG. 3 ).
- pump 27 is shown being directly connected to head 19 of seal section 17 .
- Connector 79 has exterior threads on its upper end that engage internal threads in the housing of pump 27 .
- Connector 79 has a flange 83 with a bolt pattern 85 .
- Connector 79 does not have intake ports to the exterior.
- Seal section head 19 has a flange 87 on its upper end that has a bolt pattern 89 that mates with bolt pattern 85 .
- Connector 79 thus attaches directly to seal section head 19 , if desired.
- a lower portion of connector 79 inserts into seal section head 19 and is sealed to seal section head 19 by a seal 90 .
- Seal section 17 has a cylindrical housing 91 with internal threads 93 at its upper end.
- Seal section head 19 has external threads 95 on a lower interior portion that extend into housing 91 . Threads 95 mate with threads 93 to secure head 19 to seal section housing 91 .
- a seal 97 seals head 19 to the interior of seal section housing 91 .
- Seal section head 19 has an axial passage 99 extending through it.
- Seal section 17 has a shaft 101 that extends through it.
- Shaft 101 extends upward through axial passage 99 .
- a bushing 103 in passage 99 radially stabilizes shaft 101 , but does not seal.
- a seal assembly 105 is located above bushing 103 for sealing shaft 101 to passage 99 .
- Seal assembly 105 may be a variety of types and combinations of seals. In this type, it includes a rotating member that rotates with shaft 101 and is urged by a spring against a stationary member. Seal assembly 105 seals a cavity 107 in head 19 from a cavity 109 in the interior of seal section 17 . Seal head cavity 107 is in fluid communication with well bore fluid because of intake ports 21 . Cavity 109 is in fluid communication with lubricant of motor 15 ( FIG. 3 ). Seal assembly 105 thus seals the lubricant from the well bore fluid.
- Pump 27 has a pump shaft 111 that extends downward a short distance below connector 79 .
- a coupling 113 connects pump shaft 111 to seal section shaft 101 .
- Coupling 113 is located within seal head cavity 107 .
- Seal section 17 may be a variety of types and will normally have a thrust bearing (not shown) to absorb thrust imposed on its shaft 101 by pump 27 .
- an equalizer bag 115 is located in housing 91 .
- Bag 115 is an elastomeric flexible container that has its upper and lower ends sealed around a central tube 117 .
- Tube 117 has ports 119 that communicate with an annular space between shaft 101 and tube 117 .
- the annular space is in communication with lubricant in motor 15 ( FIG. 3 ).
- Dotted lines in FIG. 4A illustrate schematically that central tube 117 extends upward to seal section head 19 , where it attaches and seals to provide a flow path for lubricant from motor 15 ( FIG. 3 ).
- Equalizer bag 115 has well fluid on its exterior so that it will equalize or at least greatly reduce any pressure difference between the motor lubricant and the well bore fluid.
- a port 121 extends downward from the exterior of head 19 to the interior of seal section housing 91 to deliver well fluid to the exterior of bag 115 , as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 4A .
- the equalizer comprises a labyrinth chamber rather than a flexible bag.
- the labyrinth chamber has U-tubes arranged to allow the well fluid and lubricant to contact each other, but prevent the heavier well fluid from flowing upward through the U-tubes and back downward into the motor.
- Some seal sections may employ multiple bags; others may employ multiple labyrinth chambers; and others may employ a combination of the two.
- pump 27 is connected directly to seal section head 19 .
- motor 15 When motor 15 is energized, well fluid will be drawn through intake ports 21 for being acted on by pump 27 .
- Seal section 17 protects the lubricant in the motor from contamination by the well bore fluid. Seal section 17 also equalizes the pressure of the lubricant to that of the well bore fluid.
- pump 27 with its connector 79 would attach to the upper end of gas separator 23 .
- Gas separator 23 in that instance could have a connector that is substantially the same as connector 79 for connecting to seal section head 19 .
- the well fluid would flow into intake ports 21 of seal section head 19 , then to gas separator 23 .
- Pump 27 and its connector 79 could alternately be employed as an upper or middle tandem pump, in which case connector 79 would connect to the upper end of a lower pump, and the lower pump would connect to seal section head 19 .
- the invention has significant advantages. By placing the intake in the head of the seal section, connectors for the pumping assemblies may be standardized. The same pump could be used as a single, stand-alone pump, or one connected to a gas separator, or one connected to a lower tandem pump.
Abstract
An electrical submersible well pump assembly has a motor containing a dielectric lubricant. A seal section is mounted to the motor for reducing pressure differential between the lubricant in the motor and the well bore fluid. The seal section has a head on an end opposite the motor. A pump assembly is mounted to the head of the seal section. An intake is located in the head of the seal section for drawing well bore fluid into the pump assembly.
Description
- This invention relates in general to electrical submersible well pumps, and in particular to connections between the seal section of the pump assembly and the pump.
- Electrical submersible well pumps are commonly used for hydrocarbon well production. A typical pump assembly has an electrical motor with a seal section or protector on its upper end. The motor is filled with a dielectric lubricant. The seal section has an equalizer in communication with that lubricant. The equalizer is also in fluid communication with the well bore fluid for equalizing the pressure of the lubricant to that of the well bore fluid. Typically the seal section will also have a thrust bearing for absorbing downward thrust from the pump.
- The pumping assembly may comprise one or more pumps and optionally a gas separator. The pumps are rotary pumps driven by a shaft of the motor. They may be either progressing cavity pumps or they may be centrifugal pumps having a large number of stages, each stage having an impeller and a diffuser. If a gas separator is employed, typically it has a rotary gas separating component for separating gas from the well fluid prior to the well fluid entering the pump.
- A different connector is required on the lower end of the pump depending upon whether the pump is to connect directly to a seal section or to another component of the pumping assembly, such as a gas separator or another pump. The connectors are not readily interchangeable between pumps, thus the manufacturer may be required to keep both types. The reason for having both types of pumps has to do with whether the connector has intake ports or not. If the pump is connecting to an upstream component such as another pump or a gas separator, its connector would not have intake ports in it. If connecting directly to the seal section, the connector would need intake ports.
- As further explanation of the prior art and referring to
FIG. 1 ,pump 31 is a centrifugal pump having a number of stages, each stage having animpeller 33 and adiffuser 35.Pump 31 has aconnector 37 on its lower end for connecting to other components of the pumping assembly.Connector 37 hasexternal threads 39 that connect to internal threads in the housing ofpump 31.Connector 37 has aflange 41 on its lower end containing a pattern ofholes 43, each for receiving abolt 45.Connector 37 does not have any intake ports leading directly to the exterior for drawing in well bore fluid. The reason is thatpump 31 is constructed to be a tandem pump or one for connection to a gas separator below it. In those instances, the intake ports would be in lower connector of the lower tandem pump or in the lower connector of the gas separator. - If the manufacturer wishes to use
pump 31 without connecting it to an upstream component, such as another pump or gas separator, he can do so by connecting it to aseparate intake housing 47. Intakehousing 47 is a separate sub that hasintake ports 49 for well fluid to pass inward and up to pump 31. Intakehousing 47 has its ownshort shaft 51 mounted therein and which connects topump shaft 53 by acoupling 55. A radial bearing 57 supportsintale shaft 51 inhousing 47. Radial bearing 57 does not form a seal. A coupling on the lower end ofintake housing shaft 51 will connect it to a seal section shaft (not shown).Intake housing 47 has aradial flange 61 for bolting to the seal section (not shown). While combiningpump 31 withintake housing 47 allows a manufacturer to usepump 31 either as a tandem pump or as a single pump without a gas separator, it requires extra expense because ofintake housing 47. -
FIG. 2 illustrates anotherprior art pump 63 having apump shaft 65. Aconnector 67 has upperexterior threads 69 for engaging mating threads in the interior of the housing ofpump 63.Connector 67 hasintake ports 71 for drawing in well fluid to pump 63.Connector 67 also has radial bearings orbushings 73 for supportingshaft 65.Bearings 73 do not form a seal. Acoupling 75 on the lower end ofshaft 65 connects the shaft to the seal section shaft (not shown).Connector 67 also has aflange 77 for bolting directly to the seal section. -
Pump 63 is operable only by connecting it directly to the seal section. It cannot be used as a tandem pump because of itsintake ports 71. In addition,connectors 67 and 37 (FIG. 1 ) cannot be interchanged. Shaft 65 protrudes farther than shaft 53 (FIG. 1 ) because of the need for space forintake ports 71. Consequently, to avoid the expense of having to use aseparate intake housing 47, an operator may choose to stock both types ofpumps - In this invention, the seal section between the motor and the pumping assembly has a head on its end with an intake. The intake draws well bore fluid into the pump. The pump assembly, whether it includes is a gas separator, multiple pumps, or a single pump, has a simple connector on its lower end without intake ports. Placing the intake in the head of the seal section allows a standard connector to be utilized on all of the pumps regardless of whether the pump is to be connected directly to the seal section or to an upstream component of the pumping assembly.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view of one prior art type of pump connector and an intake sub. -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another prior art type of pump connector. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an electrical submersible pumping assembly constructed in accordance with this invention. -
FIG. 4A is an enlarged sectional view of a seal section head and a lower portion of the pump of the assembly ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a central portion of the seal section of the assembly ofFIG. 3 . - Referring to
FIG. 3 , electrical submersible pumping assembly (ESP) 11 is shown suspended in a casedwell 13.ESP assembly 11 includes amotor 15, which is normally located on the lower end of the assembly, but in some instances on an upper end. Aseal section 17 connects to the upper end ofmotor 15.Seal section 17 equalizes the pressure of lubricant withinmotor 15 to that of the well fluid in the well. -
Seal section 17 has ahead 19 on its upper end.Head 19 forms a part ofseal section 17 and hasintake ports 21 for drawing well fluid intohead 19.ESP 11 may include anoptional gas separator 23, which connects to the upper end ofseal section head 19.Gas separator 23 separates gas from the well fluid flowing intointake 21 and discharges the gas out thegas outlet 25. The liquid components flow upward to apump 27 that connects to the upper end ofgas separator 23.Pump 27 may be a centrifugal pump or another type of rotary pump, such as a progressing cavity pump.Pump 27 is suspended by a string oftubing 29 through which the pump discharges.Gas separator 23 is employed only if conditions merit; in many instances pump 27 would connect directly to sealsection head 19. Another pump could optionally be connected to the upper end ofpump 27 in a tandem arrangement. - Referring to
FIG. 4A , pump 27 has astandard connector 79 on its lower end that is employed whetherpump 27 connects directly to sealsection 17, to another pump, or to gas separator 23 (FIG. 3 ). InFIG. 4A , pump 27 is shown being directly connected to head 19 ofseal section 17.Connector 79 has exterior threads on its upper end that engage internal threads in the housing ofpump 27.Connector 79 has aflange 83 with abolt pattern 85.Connector 79 does not have intake ports to the exterior. -
Seal section head 19 has aflange 87 on its upper end that has abolt pattern 89 that mates withbolt pattern 85.Connector 79 thus attaches directly to sealsection head 19, if desired. A lower portion ofconnector 79 inserts intoseal section head 19 and is sealed to sealsection head 19 by aseal 90.Seal section 17 has acylindrical housing 91 withinternal threads 93 at its upper end.Seal section head 19 hasexternal threads 95 on a lower interior portion that extend intohousing 91.Threads 95 mate withthreads 93 to securehead 19 to sealsection housing 91. Aseal 97 seals head 19 to the interior ofseal section housing 91. -
Seal section head 19 has anaxial passage 99 extending through it.Seal section 17 has ashaft 101 that extends through it.Shaft 101 extends upward throughaxial passage 99. Abushing 103 inpassage 99 radially stabilizesshaft 101, but does not seal. Aseal assembly 105 is located above bushing 103 for sealingshaft 101 topassage 99.Seal assembly 105 may be a variety of types and combinations of seals. In this type, it includes a rotating member that rotates withshaft 101 and is urged by a spring against a stationary member.Seal assembly 105 seals acavity 107 inhead 19 from acavity 109 in the interior ofseal section 17.Seal head cavity 107 is in fluid communication with well bore fluid because ofintake ports 21.Cavity 109 is in fluid communication with lubricant of motor 15 (FIG. 3 ).Seal assembly 105 thus seals the lubricant from the well bore fluid. -
Pump 27 has apump shaft 111 that extends downward a short distance belowconnector 79. Acoupling 113 connectspump shaft 111 to sealsection shaft 101. Coupling 113 is located withinseal head cavity 107. - Seal section 17 (
FIG. 3 ) may be a variety of types and will normally have a thrust bearing (not shown) to absorb thrust imposed on itsshaft 101 bypump 27. In one example, as illustrated inFIG. 4B , anequalizer bag 115 is located inhousing 91.Bag 115 is an elastomeric flexible container that has its upper and lower ends sealed around acentral tube 117.Tube 117 hasports 119 that communicate with an annular space betweenshaft 101 andtube 117. The annular space is in communication with lubricant in motor 15 (FIG. 3 ). Dotted lines inFIG. 4A illustrate schematically thatcentral tube 117 extends upward to sealsection head 19, where it attaches and seals to provide a flow path for lubricant from motor 15 (FIG. 3 ). -
Equalizer bag 115 has well fluid on its exterior so that it will equalize or at least greatly reduce any pressure difference between the motor lubricant and the well bore fluid. In this embodiment, aport 121 extends downward from the exterior ofhead 19 to the interior ofseal section housing 91 to deliver well fluid to the exterior ofbag 115, as illustrated by the dotted lines inFIG. 4A . Other types of seal sections are feasible. In another type (not shown), the equalizer comprises a labyrinth chamber rather than a flexible bag. The labyrinth chamber has U-tubes arranged to allow the well fluid and lubricant to contact each other, but prevent the heavier well fluid from flowing upward through the U-tubes and back downward into the motor. Some seal sections may employ multiple bags; others may employ multiple labyrinth chambers; and others may employ a combination of the two. - In the operation of
ESP 11, in one mode, pump 27 is connected directly to sealsection head 19. Whenmotor 15 is energized, well fluid will be drawn throughintake ports 21 for being acted on bypump 27.Seal section 17 protects the lubricant in the motor from contamination by the well bore fluid.Seal section 17 also equalizes the pressure of the lubricant to that of the well bore fluid. - In another mode, as shown in
FIG. 3 , pump 27 with its connector 79 (FIG. 4A ) would attach to the upper end ofgas separator 23.Gas separator 23 in that instance could have a connector that is substantially the same asconnector 79 for connecting to sealsection head 19. The well fluid would flow intointake ports 21 ofseal section head 19, then togas separator 23.Pump 27 and itsconnector 79 could alternately be employed as an upper or middle tandem pump, in whichcase connector 79 would connect to the upper end of a lower pump, and the lower pump would connect to sealsection head 19. - The invention has significant advantages. By placing the intake in the head of the seal section, connectors for the pumping assemblies may be standardized. The same pump could be used as a single, stand-alone pump, or one connected to a gas separator, or one connected to a lower tandem pump.
- While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
1. An apparatus for pumping wellbore fluid, comprising:
a motor containing a dielectric lubricant;
a seal section mounted to the motor for reducing pressure differential between the lubricant in the motor and wellbore fluid;
the seal section having a head on an end opposite the motor
a pump assembly mounted to the head of the seal section; and
an intake in the head of the seal section for drawing wellbore fluid into the pump assembly.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the head has a flange containing a bolt pattern for bolting the seal section to the pump assembly.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the seal section comprises:
a tubular housing having a set of internal threads at one end of the housing; and wherein
the head has a set of external threads that engage the internal threads in the housing to secure the head to the housing.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the seal section further comprises:
a seal section shaft extending through the seal section and into the head.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal section shaft driven by the motor and extending through the seal section into the head;
a pump shaft in the pump assembly; and
a coupling within the head for coupling the seal section shaft to the pump shaft.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an axial passage in the head;
a seal section shaft extending through the seal section and the axial passage of the head; and
a seal sealing the seal section shaft in the passage, the seal having lubricant from the motor on one side and wellbore fluid from the intake on the other side.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a communication port in the seal section head extending from the exterior of the head to an interior portion of the seal section for communicating wellbore fluid to the seal section.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a flange with a bolt pattern on an end of the head; and
a tubular connector on an end of the pump assembly, the connector having a flange with a bolt pattern that mates with the flange on the head to connect the seal section to the pump assembly.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotary pump.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a gas separator and a rotary pump.
11. An apparatus for pumping wellbore fluid, comprising:
a motor containing a dielectric lubricant;
a seal section mounted to the motor, the seal section having a seal section shaft that is driven by the motor, the seal section having a housing containing an equalizer for reducing pressure differential between the lubricant in the motor and wellbore fluid;
the seal section having a head on an end opposite the motor, the head having an interior portion that inserts into and secures to the seal section, the head having an exterior portion with a flange having a bolt pattern;
a pump assembly having a pump shaft and a connector on one end with a flange and bolt pattern that mates with and is bolted to the flange on the head of the seal section;
a coupling located within the head that couples the pump shaft to the seal section shaft; and
an intake in the head of the seal section for drawing wellbore fluid into the pump assembly.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the interior portion of the adapter has external threads that engage internal threads in the housing of the seal section.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a communication port in the head, the port extending from an exterior of the head to an interior of the housing for communicating wellbore fluid to the equalizer.
14. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising:
an axial passage in the head through which the seal section shaft extends; and
a seal sealing the seal section shaft in the passage, the seal having lubricant from the motor on one side and wellbore fluid from the intake on the other side.
15. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotary pump.
16. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the pump assembly comprises a gas separator and a rotary pump.
17. A seal section for an electrical submersible well pump assembly, comprising:
a seal section housing having a motor end for coupling to an electrical motor containing a dielectric lubricant and an intake end opposite the motor end and having a set of internal threads;
a pressure equalizer located in the housing for reducing a pressure differential of the lubricant and wellbore pressure;
a seal section head having an internal portion that extends into the housing with external threads that engage the internal threads in the housing, the seal section head having an external portion protruding from the housing and having an annular flange with a bolt pattern for bolting to a component of the pump assembly;
a shaft extending through the housing and sealingly into the seal section head; and
an intake port in the seal section head for delivering wellbore fluid to a pump of the pump assembly.
18. The seal section according to claim 17 , further comprising:
a communication port extending through the seal section head from an exterior portion of the seal section head for communicating wellbore fluid to the pressure equalizer.
19. The seal section according to claim 17 , further comprising:
a shaft passage extending through the seal section head through which the shaft extends; and
a shaft seal in the shaft passage for sealing around the shaft, the shaft seal sealing lubricant within the equalizer of the seal section from wellbore fluid in the intake.
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/836,549 US20090041597A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2007-08-09 | Combined Seal Head and Pump Intake for Electrical Submersible Pump |
CA2695447A CA2695447A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | Combined seal head and pump intake for electrical submersible pump |
PCT/US2008/072563 WO2009023542A2 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | Combined seal head and pump intake for electrical submersible pump |
RU2010108256/03A RU2010108256A (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | UNITED SEALING HEAD AND PUMP INLET ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP |
ARP080103481A AR068100A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | SEALING HEAD AND COMBINED PUMP INPUT FOR ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP |
CN200880102612A CN101778996A (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2008-08-08 | The seal head and the Pump Suction Nozzle that are used for the combination of electric submersible pump |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/836,549 US20090041597A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2007-08-09 | Combined Seal Head and Pump Intake for Electrical Submersible Pump |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090041597A1 true US20090041597A1 (en) | 2009-02-12 |
Family
ID=40346728
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/836,549 Abandoned US20090041597A1 (en) | 2007-08-09 | 2007-08-09 | Combined Seal Head and Pump Intake for Electrical Submersible Pump |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090041597A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101778996A (en) |
AR (1) | AR068100A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2695447A1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2010108256A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009023542A2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090194295A1 (en) * | 2008-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | System, method and apparatus for electrical submersible pump with integrated gas separator |
US20140099211A1 (en) * | 2012-10-04 | 2014-04-10 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Detection of Well Fluid Contamination in Seabed Fluids of Well Pump Assemblies |
WO2014105054A1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Mitigating swab and surge piston effects in wellbores |
WO2014105055A1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Mitigating swab and surge piston effects across a drilling motor |
WO2015069436A3 (en) * | 2013-11-08 | 2015-08-06 | Ge Oil & Gas Esp, Inc. | Electric submersible motor oil expansion compensator |
US20160010439A1 (en) * | 2013-05-10 | 2016-01-14 | Summit Esp, Llc | Apparatus and system for sealing submersible pump assemblies |
EP4004336A4 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2023-08-16 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC | Electrical submersible pump seal section reduced leakage features |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015006325A1 (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2015-01-15 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Pressure equalizers for shaft seals of a downhole gearbox |
CA3092065A1 (en) * | 2018-02-23 | 2019-08-29 | Extract Management Company, Llc | Electric submersible pumping unit |
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US20090194295A1 (en) * | 2008-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | System, method and apparatus for electrical submersible pump with integrated gas separator |
US20140099211A1 (en) * | 2012-10-04 | 2014-04-10 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Detection of Well Fluid Contamination in Seabed Fluids of Well Pump Assemblies |
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EP4004336A4 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2023-08-16 | Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC | Electrical submersible pump seal section reduced leakage features |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2695447A1 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
AR068100A1 (en) | 2009-11-04 |
WO2009023542A3 (en) | 2009-04-02 |
RU2010108256A (en) | 2011-09-20 |
CN101778996A (en) | 2010-07-14 |
WO2009023542A2 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BRUNNER, CHRISTOPHER M.;IVES, JASON;REEL/FRAME:019707/0158 Effective date: 20070806 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |