ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP (ESP) ASSEMBLY, METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAID ESP ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD OF LIFTING FLUID BY MEANS OF SAID ESP ASSEMBLY IN A WELL

Abstract

A method for lifting fluid using an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a well.The method comprises positioning a first ESP component on the well, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first drive shaft; positioning a second ESP component on the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second drive shaft; attaching a locking assembly at a first end to an end of the first drive shaft near the first flange; passing the locking assembly through a coupling housing; attaching a second end of the locking assembly to an end of the second drive shaft near the second flange, wherein the locking assembly is slip-coupled to either the first drive shaft or the second drive shaft; coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft by means of the coupling housing; and coupling the first flange to the second flange.

Description

SHAFT-TO-SHAF FIXING OF ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP ASSEMBLY (ESP) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY GRANTED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND

[0004] Electric submersible pump (ESP) assemblies may be installed in wells to raise fluid in the wellbore, e.g., to raise fluid in production tubing installed upstream of the ESP assembly. The ESP assembly may comprise an electric motor, a seal unit coupled to the electric motor upstream of the electric motor, and a pump assembly coupled to the seal unit upstream of the electric motor. The pump assembly may comprise one or more centrifugal pump stages, where each pump stage comprises an impeller and a diffuser. Typically, a drive shaft of the electric motor couples to a drive shaft in the seal unit, and the drive shaft in the seal unit couples to a drive shaft in the pump assembly, whereby the electric motor supplies rotational power to the pump assembly.More specifically, the impeller(s) are coupled to the driveshaft in the pump assembly and impart power and pressure to the fluid, and diffusers direct the fluid toward the next-stage impeller or toward the production tubing. It is understood that other ESP components may be part of the ESP assembly in different environments. For example, in some cases, a gas separator may be located uphole of the seal unit and downhole of the pump assembly. In this case, the driveshaft of the seal unit is coupled to a driveshaft in the gas separator, and the driveshaft in the gas separator is coupled to the driveshaft in the pump assembly. In some installations, a sensor package or sensor unit may be coupled to the ESP assembly downhole of the electric motor.An electric power cable may be coupled to the electric motor and extend to a surface to an electric power supply. 239015 2080771 of 19 surface, for example, a variable speed drive or other source of electrical power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

[0006] Figure 1 is an illustration of an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a well according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C, Figure 2D, Figure 2E and 2F are illustrations of different stages of securing the drive shafts of two components of an ESP assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0008] Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] Figure 4 is a flow diagram of another method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] It should be understood from the outset that while illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether presently known or not yet existing. The disclosure is not to be limited in any way to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

[0011] As used herein, the terms upstream, downstream, top, and bottom orientation are defined with respect to the direction of flow of the wellbore fluid in the wellbore casing. Upstream is directed opposite to the direction of flow of the wellbore fluid, toward the source of the wellbore fluid (e.g., toward perforations in the wellbore casing through which hydrocarbons flow from a subterranean formation and into the casing). Downstream is directed in the direction of flow of the wellbore fluid, away from the source of the wellbore fluid. Downstream is directed opposite to the direction of flow of the wellbore fluid, toward the source of the wellbore fluid. Upstream is directed in the direction of flow of the wellbore fluid, away from the source of the wellbore fluid. 239015 2080771 of 19

[0012] Electric submersible pump (ESP) assemblies can operate for extended periods in a well, for example, two years, three years, four years, even five years or more. This extended life of ESP assemblies offers advantages to operators, but sometimes the ESP assembly can become damaged and weakened over time in the harsh downhole environment and may experience component separation when the ESP assembly is removed from the well. Such separation can be costly to the operator and highly dangerous to workers. For example, in one case, an ESP assembly had nearly been recovered when the ESP assembly separated at a joint between two components of the ESP assembly. The lower portion of the ESP assembly, including the electric motor, began to fall down the well uncontrollably.The power cable, still connected to the pressure-reducing head near the electric motor, unwound from a reel at breakneck speed, threatening to injure nearby workers as the power cable whipped around. Once the separated component reaches the bottom of the well, it must be pulled out of the well before production of formation fluids (e.g., hydrocarbons like gas and / or crude oil) can resume. Fishing separated tools downhole can be a costly and time-consuming process.

[0013] The present disclosure teaches a novel attachment assembly that attaches two adjacent ESP components (e.g., attaches an electric motor to a sealing section, attaches a sealing section to a gas separator or a pump assembly, attaches a gas separator to a pump assembly). A plurality of attachment assemblies may be used to attach three or more ESP components together. For example, a first attachment assembly may connect an electric motor to a sealing section, a second attachment assembly may connect the sealing section to a gas separator, and a third attachment assembly may connect the gas separator to a pump assembly.The locking assembly allows some axial movement of the two ESP components tied together, but defines a limit to the axial movement that can occur before the locking assembly stops axial movement, at least without the locking assembly breaking and therefore experiencing mechanical failure. In this way, the locking assembly can prevent the loss of separated ESP components in the wellbore. Two ESP components may still separate, but the locking assembly can allow the ESP component(s) below the separation to be pulled uphole through the locking assembly by the 3 239015 component. 2080771 of 19 ESP located above the separation. This attachment assembly can increase safety by preventing parts of the ESP assembly from falling uncontrolled into the wellbore as a result of separation and can reduce costs that would otherwise be incurred during fishing operations.

[0014] In one embodiment, the attachment assembly is provided by a tie rod system that couples the drive shafts of the components of an ESP assembly such that if the two components separate, the tie rod can secure the lower component to the upper component. The tie rod can pass through a coupling housing that rotatably couples the drive shaft of the upper component to the drive shaft of the lower component. In one embodiment, the upper end of the tie rod can be secured to the drive shaft of the upper component. A shaft plug having a central through hole can be slid over the lower end of the tie rod. The lower end of the tie rod can be secured to a tie rod stop.The axle plug can then be secured to the drive shaft of the lower component. In this arrangement, the coupling rod can slide through the coupling housing and through the through hole in the axle plug, and the coupling rod stop and the lower end of the coupling rod can slide into a hole in the drive shaft of the lower component. These sliding relationships are referred to herein as slidingly coupling the fixing assembly to the drive shaft of the lower component. The upper component can then be attached to the lower component, for example, by means of bolts.If the lower component later separates from the upper component (for example, if the bolts fail or loosen), the lower component can drop on its own until the tie rod and tie rod stop slide up into the lower component's driveshaft bore to a fixed point where the tie rod stop butts against the shaft plug. In this way, the tie rod secures the lower component to the upper component and prevents the lower component from falling down the shaft.

[0015] It is understood that, in another embodiment, the location and arrangement of the tie rod, the tie rod stop, and the shaft plug may be reversed. In another embodiment, the lower end of the tie rod may be secured to the drive shaft of the lower component. An axle plug having a central through hole may be slid over the upper end of the tie rod. 2080771 of 19 coupling above the coupling housing plate. The upper end of the coupling rod can be secured to a coupling rod stop. The shaft plug can then be secured to the drive shaft of the upper component. In this arrangement, the coupling rod can slide through the through hole in the coupling housing plate and slide through the through hole in the shaft plug, and the coupling rod stop and the coupling rod end can slide into a hole in the drive shaft of the upper component. The upper component can then be attached to the lower component, for example, by bolts. In one embodiment, the coupling rod can be replaced with a stranded cable.In one embodiment, other attachment assemblies may be used to slidably couple the upper component to the lower component.

[0016] Referring now to Figure 1, a well site 100 is described. The well site 100 comprises a wellbore 102 optionally cased with a liner 104, an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly 132 in the wellbore 102, and a production tubing string 134. The ESP assembly 132 comprises an optional sensor unit 120 at a downhole end, an electric motor 122 coupled to the sensor unit 120 uphole of the sensor unit 120, a seal section 124 coupled to the electric motor 122 uphole of the electric motor 122, a fluid inlet 126 coupled to the seal section 124 uphole of the seal section 124, a pump assembly 128 coupled to the fluid inlet 126 uphole of the fluid inlet 126, and a pump discharge 130 coupled to the assembly. of pump 128 upwell of pump assembly 128. Pump discharge 130 is coupled to production tubing string 134.In one embodiment, a motor head or pressure reduction head (not shown) is coupled between the electric motor 122 and the sealing section 124.

[0017] In one embodiment, casing 104 has perforations 140 that allow reservoir fluid 142 to enter wellbore 102 and flow downstream toward fluid inlet 126. Reservoir fluid 142 enters inlet ports 129 of fluid inlet 126, flows from fluid inlet 126 to an inlet of pump assembly 128, is pumped by pump assembly 128 to exit pump assembly 128 to pump discharge 130 upstream of production tubing string 134 to a wellhead 156 located at surface 134. In one embodiment, an electrical cable 136 is connected to electric motor 122 and provides electrical power from a power source 5 239015 2080771 of 19 electrical located on surface 158 to electric motor 122 to cause electric motor 122 to rotate and supply rotational power to pump assembly 128. In one embodiment, electric cable 136 is attached to electric motor 122 through a motor head or pressure reduction head.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pump assembly 128 comprises one or more centrifugal pump stages, each centrifugal pump stage comprising an impeller coupled to a drive shaft of the pump assembly 128 and a diffuser retained by a housing of the pump assembly 128. An upper end of a drive shaft of the electric motor 122 is coupled to a lower end of a drive shaft of the sealing section 124. An upper end of the drive shaft of the sealing section 124 is coupled to a lower end of the drive shaft of the pump assembly 128. Rotational power is transferred from the drive shaft of the electric motor 122 to the drive shaft of the sealing section 124 and from the drive shaft of the sealing section 124 to the drive shaft of the pump assembly 128. In some contexts, the production pump assembly 128 may be referred to as a centrifugal pump assembly.It can be said that the pump assembly 128 lifts the reservoir fluid 154 through the production tubing 134 to the surface 158.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ESP assembly 132 may comprise additional components. For example, the ESP assembly 132 may comprise a gas separator component uphole of the fluid inlet 126 and downhole of the pump assembly 128. In this case, an upper end of the fluid inlet 126 may be coupled to a lower end of the gas separator, and an upper end of the gas separator may be coupled to a lower end of the pump assembly 128. The gas separator may comprise a driveshaft that is coupled at a lower end to the upper end of the driveshaft of the seal section 124 and that is coupled at an upper end to the lower end of the driveshaft of the pump assembly 128. For example, the ESP assembly 132 may comprise a cargo pump component uphole of the fluid inlet 126 and downhole of the gas separator.The charge pump may impart energy and velocity to the reservoir fluid 142 to improve the performance of the gas separator. In this case, the upper end of the fluid inlet 126 may be coupled to a lower end of the charge pump, and an upper end of the charge pump may be coupled to the lower end of the gas separator. The charge pump may comprise a drive shaft that is coupled at a lower end 6 239015. 2080771 of 19 to the upper end of the drive shaft of the sealing section 124 and which is coupled at an upper end to the lower end of the drive shaft of the gas separator.

[0020] Each of the components of the electric motor 122, the sealing section 124, the pump assembly 128, the optional gas separator, and the optional charge pump can be said to be an ESP component. It is a teaching of the present disclosure that a coupling rod can be used to fix any of these ESP components to each other, through the drive shafts of the components, to prevent a portion of the ESP assembly 132 from falling to the downhole in the event of separation of the ESP assembly 132. This coupling rod and associated structures are described below with reference to Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C, Figure 2D, and Figure 2E.

[0021] An orientation of the wellbore 102 and ESP assembly 132 is illustrated in Figure 1 by an x-axis 160, a y-axis 162, and a z-axis 164. While the wellbore 102 is illustrated in Figure 1 as having an offset portion or a substantially horizontal portion 106, the ESP assembly 132 may be used in a substantially vertical wellbore 102. While the well site 100 is illustrated as being onshore, the ESP assembly 132 may also be used in an offshore location.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 2A, Figure 2B, Figure 2C, Figure 2D, Figure 2E, and Figure 2F, the ESP assembly 132 is described in greater detail. In one embodiment, an upper component 170 comprises a first drive shaft 174 (see Figure 2A) having male splines 176 and a bore 178 having female threads. The upper component 170 comprises a base 172 defining bolt holes 179. In some contexts, the base 172 may be referred to as a flange or collar. In one embodiment, a lower component 180 comprises a head 182, a second drive shaft 184 having male splines 185, a bore 186 having female threads 188 at its upper end. In some contexts, the head 182 may be referred to as a flange or collar. Head 182 defines threaded holes 189.In coupling the upper component 170 to the lower component 180, bolts 199 (shown in Figure 2E) pass through bolt holes 179 in the base 178 of the upper component 170 and threadably engage threaded holes 189 to attach the upper component 170 to the lower component 180. In some contexts, the first drive shaft 174 may be referred to as the first axial drive shaft, and the second drive shaft 184 may be referred to as the second axial drive shaft. 239015 2080771 of 19

[0023] In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be the electric motor 122 and the upper component 170 may be the sealing section 122. In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be the sealing section 122 and the upper component may be the pump assembly 128. In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be the sealing section 124 and the upper component may be a gas separator. In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a gas separator and the upper component may be a pump assembly 128. In one embodiment, the lower component may be the sealing section 124 and the upper component 170 may be a charge pump. In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a charge pump and the upper component 170 may be a gas separator.In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a first electric motor 122 and the upper component 170 may be a second electric motor 122 (e.g., a tandem motor configuration). In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a first sealing section 122 and the upper component 170 may be a second sealing section 122 (e.g., a tandem sealing section). In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a first gas separator and the upper component 170 may be a second gas separator (e.g., a tandem sealing section). In one embodiment, the lower component 180 may be a first pump assembly 128 and the upper component 170 may be a second pump assembly 128 (e.g., a tandem pump assembly).In one embodiment, the coupling between the drive shafts of any two adjacent ESP components may be axially coupled to each other by a clamping assembly as described herein.

[0024] In assembling the ESP assembly 132, a coupling rod 190 (see Figure 2B) may be coupled to the first driveshaft 174. For example, an upper end of the coupling rod 190 may have male threads that threadably engage with female threads 178 in an axial center bore in a lower end of the first driveshaft 174. Alternatively, the upper end of the coupling rod 190 may have a beveled upper edge and a circumferential groove in an outer diameter of the coupling rod that inserts into and engages a retaining ring held in a circumferential groove in an inner diameter of a center bore in the lower end of the first driveshaft 174. In one embodiment, the coupling rod 190 may be an integral part of the first driveshaft 174. 2080771 of 19 transmission 174, for example, machined from a continuous piece of metal. In one embodiment, the coupling rod 190 may be welded to a lower end of the first driveshaft 174.

[0025] The coupling rod 190 may pass through a center plate 194 of a coupling housing 192 (see Figure 2C) having female splines 171 therein. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the coupling housing 192 may not have a center plate. The upper female splines of the coupling housing 192 may mate with the male splines 176 of the first drive shaft 174, and the lower female splines of the coupling housing 192 may mate with the male splines 185 of the second drive shaft 184. Complete engagement of the male splines 176, 185 with the female splines of the coupling housing 192 may not occur until later in a process of coupling the upper component 170 to the lower component 180. The coupling housing couples the first drive shaft 174 to the second drive shaft via rotation 184.An axle plug 198 may have a through bore passing over the coupling rod 190 beneath the center plate 194 of the coupling housing 192. A coupling rod stop 196 may be coupled to a lower end of the coupling rod 190. The coupling rod stop 196 may have female threads 197 that threadably engage male threads 191 on an outside diameter of the lower end of the coupling rod 190. Alternatively, the coupling rod stop 196 may be coupled to the coupling rod 190 by use of a retaining ring disposed in an inner circumferential groove in a center bore of the coupling rod stop 196 and the retaining ring may pass over a chamfered lower end of the coupling rod 190 and engage an outer circumferential groove of the lower end of the coupling rod 190.Alternatively, the tie rod stop 196 may be coupled to the tie rod 190 with one or more pins. The axle plug 198 may have male threads 193 on an outside diameter that threadably engage with female threads 188 on top of a center hole 186 of the upper end of the second drive shaft 184. The axle plug 198 may be tightened with a wrench.

[0026] In one embodiment, a fitting 20 may be positioned between the base 172 of the upper component 170 and the head 182 of the lower component 180 (see Figure 2F) that securely separates the components 170, 180 while the coupling rod 190, coupling housing 192, shaft plug 198, and stop 9 239015 2080771 of 19 coupling rod 196 are installed. The fixture may have a window of about 180 degrees of angular travel to allow access to the tool and pivot space. In one embodiment, two fixtures similar to fixture 20 illustrated in Figure 2F may be employed: a first fixture with a larger standoff distance that is used when coupling the upper end of the coupling rod 190 to the lower end of the first drive shaft 174, by sliding the through hole 195 of the center plate 194 of the coupling housing 192 over the coupling rod 190, sliding the shaft plug 198 over the coupling rod 190 and coupling the coupling rod stopper 196 to the lower end of the coupling rod 190 and a second fixture with a smaller standoff distance that is used when coupling the shaft plug 198 to the upper end of the second drive shaft 184.Wrench 25 is shown in Figure 2F being rotated into threaded engagement with second drive shaft 184. As upper component 170 is brought together with lower component 180 (see Figure 2D), tie rod 190 and tie rod stop 196 slide into center hole 186 in second drive shaft 184. When upper component 170 is brought together with lower component 180 (see Figure 2E), bolts 199 may be passed through bolt holes 179 in base 172, and the threads of bolts 199 threadably engage female threads 189 of head 182.When assembled in this manner, the tie rod 190, tie rod stopper 196 and shaft plug 198 form an attachment assembly that engages at a first end to one of the drive shafts and slidably engages at a second end to the other of the drive shafts.In one embodiment, the maximum axial movement allowed between the lower component 180 and the upper component 170 by the attachment assembly when installed, - the distance between when the upper component 170 and the lower component 180 are joined (when the base 172 is bolted to the head 182) and when the lower component 180 has moved, the attachment assembly (e.g., the tie rod 190, the tie rod stop 196 and the axle plug 198 supporting the weight of the lower component 180 and possibly other components of the ESP assembly 132 attached below the lower component 180) - is between 4 inches and 4 feet, between 4 inches and 3 feet, between 4 inches and 2 feet, between 4 inches and 1.5 feet, between 4 inches and 1 foot, between 4 inches and 10 inches, between 4 inches and 8 inches, or between 4 inches and 6 inches.If the upper component 170 and the lower component 180 then separate (for example, if the bolts 199 fail or become loose), 2080771 of 19 uncouple), the lower component 180 may be caught and retained when the tie rod 190 and tie rod stop 196 are retracted from the center hole 186 and an upper end of the tie rod stop 196 abuts against a lower end of the shaft plug 198 which is retained by the threads 188 at the upper end of the center hole 186.

[0028] If the upper component 170 separates from the lower component 180, the lower component 180 freely falls downward into the wellbore 102, the coupling rod 190 slides off the shaft plug 198, the coupling rod stop 196 upward into the wellbore 186 until stopped by the shaft plug 198, and the lower component 180 is then secured to the upper component 170 by the coupling rod 190, the coupling rod stop 196, and the shaft plug 198. When the ESP assembly 132 is removed from the wellbore 102, for example, at the end of an expected useful life or to perform maintenance, the lower component 180 may be assisted (e.g., by sliding it onto a work platform or other support structure at the surface 158). The upper component 170 may be decoupled from the lower component 180 (e.g., the bolts 199 may be removed from the threaded holes 189).The upper component 170 may be lifted, the tie rod 190 and tie rod stop 196 may be slid upwardly into the well 186. The shaft plug 198 may be unscrewed from the female threads 188 on the upper end of the second drive shaft 184, and the upper component 170, currently disconnected from the lower component 180, may be released from the lower component 180.

[0029] In one embodiment, the coupling rod 190, the coupling rod stop 196, and / or the shaft plug 198 may be made of steel, for example, made of rust and corrosion resistant steel such as nickel-chromium based superalloy steel. In one embodiment, the coupling rod 190, the coupling rod stop 196, and / or the shaft plug 198 may be made of INCONEL. In one embodiment, the coupling rod 190 may be a multi-strand wire.

[0030] It should be appreciated that the teachings of the present disclosure would still be applicable if the axial arrangement of the coupling rod 190, the coupling rod stop 196 and the shaft plug 198 were reversed. For example, the male threads 191 on the lower end of the coupling rod 190 can threadably engage a female threaded well in the lower drive shaft 184; the coupling rod 190 can pass through the through hole 195 of the plate 11 239015 2080771 of 19 central 194; the axle plug 198 can pass over the upper end of the coupling rod 190 on the center plate 194; the female threads 197 of the coupling rod stop 196 can threadably engage the male threads on the upper end of the coupling rod 190; and the axle plug 198 can threadably engage the female threads 178 in the central axial well at the lower end of the first drive shaft 174.

[0031] Referring now to Figure 3, a method 200 is described. In one embodiment, the method 200 is a method for assembling an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. At block 202, the method 200 comprises positioning a first ESP component over a well, wherein the first ESP component comprises a head and a first driveshaft. At block 204, the method 200 comprises positioning a second ESP component over the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a base for coupling the second ESP component to the head of the first ESP component and a second driveshaft. In some contexts, the first ESP component may be referred to as a first ESP assembly component, and the second ESP component may be referred to as a second ESP assembly component.

[0032] At block 206, method 200 comprises coupling an attachment assembly at a first end to an end of the first driveshaft proximate the first flange. In one embodiment, proximate the first flange means an end of the first driveshaft that is 3 feet from the first flange, and the first driveshaft has two ends. At block 208, method 200 comprises passing the attachment assembly through a coupling housing. At block 210, method 200 comprises coupling a second end of the attachment assembly to an end of the second driveshaft proximate the second flange, wherein the attachment assembly is slidably coupled to either the first driveshaft or the second driveshaft. In one embodiment, proximate the second flange means an end of the second driveshaft that is 3 feet from the second flange, and the second driveshaft has two ends.

[0033] In block 212, method 200 comprises coupling the first driveshaft to the second driveshaft via the coupling housing. The coupling housing couples the first driveshaft to the second driveshaft via rotation. In block 214, method 200 comprises coupling the first flange of the first ESP component to the second flange of the second ESP component. In a first embodiment, processing blocks 206, 208, and 210 2080771 of 19 comprises passing a coupling rod through the coupling housing; coupling a first end of the coupling rod to one of the first drive shaft or the second drive shaft; passing an axle plug having a hole over a second end of the coupling rod; coupling a coupling rod stop to the second end of the coupling rod; and coupling the axle plug to one of the second drive shaft or the first drive shaft. In the case where the processing in block 208 couples the first end of the first coupling rod to the first drive shaft, the processing of block 214 couples the axle plug to the second drive shaft. In the case where the processing in block 208 couples the first end of the first coupling rod to the second drive shaft, the processing of block 214 couples the axle plug to the first drive shaft.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 4, a method 230 is described. In one embodiment, the method 230 is a method of lifting fluid by an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a wellbore. At block 232, the method 230 comprises positioning a first ESP component over the wellbore, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first driveshaft. At block 234, the method 230 comprises positioning a second ESP component over the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second driveshaft. In some contexts, the first ESP component may be referred to as a first ESP assembly component, and the second ESP component may be referred to as a second ESP assembly component.

[0035] At block 236, method 230 comprises passing a coupling rod that is coupled at one end of the coupling rod to an end of the first driveshaft or the second driveshaft through a coupling housing. At block 238, method 230 comprises coupling an end of the coupling rod opposite the coupled end of the coupling rod to an end of the second driveshaft or the first driveshaft.

[0036] At block 240, method 230 comprises coupling the first driveshaft to the second driveshaft via the coupling housing. At block 242, method 230 comprises coupling the first ESP component to the second ESP component.

[0037] In block 244, method 230 comprises operating the ESP assembly comprising the first ESP component and the second ESP component to the wellbore. In block 246, method 230 comprises supplying electrical power to the wellbore. 2080771 of 19 ESP assembly. In block 248, method 230 comprises lifting fluid via the ESP assembly through a production tubing coupled to the ESP assembly in the wellbore. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

[0038] A first embodiment being an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly, comprising: a first ESP assembly component comprising a first flange and a first drive shaft containing first male splines at an end of the first drive shaft proximate the first flange; a second ESP assembly component comprising a second flange for coupling the second ESP assembly component to the first flange of the first ESP assembly component, and a second drive shaft containing second male splines at an end of the second drive shaft proximate the second flange;a coupling housing containing a first set of female splines for connecting with first male splines of the first drive shaft and for coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft, a second set of female splines for connecting with second male splines of the second drive shaft; and a fixing assembly coupled at a first end to the end of the first drive shaft proximate the first flange, passing through the coupling housing, and slidingly coupled at a second end to the end of the second drive shaft proximate the second flange.

[0039] A second embodiment is the ESP assembly of the first embodiment, wherein the fixing assembly comprises: a coupling rod coupled at a first end to the end of the first transmission shaft proximate the first flange; a coupling rod stopper coupled to a second end of the coupling rod; and an axle plug coupled to the end of the second transmission shaft proximate the second flange, wherein the axle plug has a hole, wherein the coupling rod passes through the hole in the axle plug, and the axle plug is disposed between the coupling rod stopper and the coupling housing plate.

[0040] A third embodiment, which is the ESP assembly of the first component, wherein the first ESP assembly component is a pump assembly and the second ESP assembly component is a sealing section. 239015 2080771 of 19

[0041] A fourth embodiment, which is the ESP assembly of the first component, wherein the first ESP assembly component is a sealing section and the second ESP assembly component is an electric motor.

[0042] A fifth embodiment is the ESP assembly of the fourth embodiment, further comprising: a third ESP assembly component comprising a third flange and a third drive shaft containing third male splines at an end of the third drive shaft proximate the third flange; wherein the first ESP assembly component comprises a fourth flange for coupling the first ESP assembly component to the third flange of the third ESP assembly component and the first drive shaft containing fourth male splines at an end of the first drive shaft proximate the fourth flange;a second coupling housing containing a third set of female splines for connecting with the third male splines of the third drive shaft and for coupling the third drive shaft to the first drive shaft, a fourth set of female splines for connecting with the fourth male splines of the first drive shaft; and a second fixing assembly coupled at a first end to the end of the third drive shaft proximate the third flange, passing through the second coupling housing, and slidingly coupled at a second end to the end of the first drive shaft proximate the fourth flange.

[0043] A sixth embodiment, which is the ESP assembly of the fifth embodiment, wherein the third ESP assembly component is a pump assembly.

[0044] A seventh embodiment, which is the ESP assembly of the fifth embodiment, wherein the third ESP assembly component is a gas separator.

[0045] An eighth embodiment, which is the ESP assembly of the fifth embodiment, wherein the first ESP assembly component is an assembly pump and the second ESP assembly component is a gas separator.

[0046] A ninth embodiment, which is a method for assembling an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly, comprising: positioning a first ESP component over a well, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first flange and a first drive shaft; positioning a second ESP component over the well, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second flange for coupling the second ESP component to a 2080771 of 19 first flange of the first ESP component and a second drive shaft; coupling a fixing assembly at a first end to an end of the first drive shaft proximate the first flange; passing the fixing assembly through a coupling housing; coupling a second end of the fixing assembly to an end of the second drive shaft proximate the second flange, wherein the fixing assembly is slidingly coupled to either the first drive shaft or the second drive shaft; coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft via the coupling housing; and coupling the first flange of the first ESP component to the second flange of the second ESP component.

[0047] A tenth embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is an electric motor and the second ESP component is a sealing section.

[0048] An eleventh embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a sealing section and the second ESP component is an electric motor.

[0049] A twelfth embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a sealing section and the second ESP component is a pump assembly.

[0050] A thirteenth embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a pump assembly and the second ESP component is a sealing section.

[0051] A fourteenth embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a gas separator and the second ESP component is a pump assembly.

[0052] A fifteenth embodiment, which is the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a pump assembly and the second ESP component is a gas separator.

[0053] A sixteenth embodiment, which is a method of raising fluid by an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a well, comprising: positioning a first ESP component on the well, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first driveshaft; positioning a second ESP component over the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second driveshaft; passing a coupling rod coupled at one end of the coupling rod to an end of either the first driveshaft or the second driveshaft through the coupling rod casing. 239015 2080771 of 19 coupling; coupling an end of the coupling rod opposite the coupled end of the coupling rod to one of the second driveshaft or the first driveshaft; coupling the first driveshaft via the coupling housing to the second driveshaft; coupling the first ESP component to the second ESP component; operating the ESP assembly comprising the first ESP component and the second ESP component in the wellbore; supplying electrical power to the ESP assembly; and elevating fluid via the ESP assembly to a production tubing coupled to the ESP assembly in the wellbore.

[0054] A seventeenth embodiment, which is the method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein when the coupling rod is coupled at one end of the coupling rod to the first drive shaft, coupling an end of the coupling rod opposite to the coupled end of the coupling rod comprises coupling the end of the coupling rod opposite to the coupled end of the coupling rod to the second drive shaft.

[0055] An eighteenth embodiment, which is the method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein when the coupling rod is coupled at one end of the coupling rod to the second drive shaft, coupling an end of the coupling rod opposite to the coupled end of the coupling rod comprises coupling the end of the coupling rod opposite to the coupled end of the coupling rod to the first drive shaft.

[0056] A nineteenth embodiment, which is the method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein the coupling rod is coupled at one end because it is adjacent to the first drive shaft or the second drive shaft.

[0057] A twentieth embodiment, which is the method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein the first ESP component is a sealing section and the second ESP component is a pump assembly.

[0058] While various embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the intent is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

[0059] In addition, the techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or 2080771 of 19 integrate with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other elements shown or discussed as being directly coupled or in direct communication with one another may be indirectly coupled or in indirect communication through some intermediate interface, device, or component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations can be determined by a person of average skill in the art and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein. 239015 2080771 of 19 20225952036 CRISTIAN DANIEL BITTEL - 20225952036 Digitally signed by PORTALTRAMITES - INPI Date: 2022.12.12 15:13:59 -03:00 Reason: Digitally signed by the INPI Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina 2080771

Claims

1. An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a first ESP assembly component comprising a first flange and a first drive shaft having first male grooves at one end of the first drive shaft near the first flange; a second ESP assembly component comprising a second flange for coupling the second ESP assembly component to the first flange of the first ESP assembly component and a second drive shaft having second male grooves at one end of the second drive shaft near the second flange; a coupling housing having a first set of female grooves for connecting with the first male grooves of the first drive shaft and for coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft, and a second set of female grooves for connecting with the second male grooves of the second drive shaft;and a clamping assembly coupled at a first end to the end of the first drive shaft near the first flange, passing through the coupling housing, and offset-coupled at a second end to the end of the second drive shaft near the second flange, wherein the clamping assembly defines a limit to the axial movement that may occur between the first ESP assembly component and the second ESP assembly component before the clamping assembly stops the axial movement, and wherein the clamping assembly is configured to support the weight of either the first ESP assembly component or the second ESP assembly component. Twenty claims follow;