System for operating a hydraulically-powered submersible pump

Abstract

A system located in a subsea environment is disclosed comprising a submersible pump positioned in a well, a hydraulic motor that is operatively coupled to the submersible pump and a pressurized fluid supply pump that is positioned on or near a floor of the subsea environment and in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]Generally, the present disclosure relates to a system that may be employed in recovering hydrocarbons from oil and gas wells. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a system for operating a hydraulically-powered submersible pump that uses a pump positioned subsea to supply the pressurized fluid to drive the submersible pump.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]As the technology for offshore deep-water exploitation becomes available at a reasonable cost, the number of sub-sea completions in deep and ultra-deep waters is expected to increase significantly. Today, high productivity wells have been producing steadily and successfully at water depths greater than 5000 feet in several regions around the world. Such subsea wells are very expensive to drill and to complete. Thus, there is always a constant drive to keep such subsea wells producing for as long as possible to extra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes various systems for operating a hydraulically-powered submersible pump in a subsea environment. These systems include a submersible pump, a hydraulic motor, a pressurized fluid supply pump, and a booster pump. The booster pump can receive a hydrocarbon fluid from a production outlet of a tree or from a production outlet of a well. The pressurized fluid supply pump is in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor, and the system may also include a separator or a valve to direct the pressurized hydrocarbon fluid to the hydraulic motor. The technical effects of the patent include improved hydraulic power for submersible pumps in subsea environments and more efficient fluid supply for the hydraulic motor.

Problems solved by technology

Such subsea wells are very expensive to drill and to complete.

Another problem that is frequently encountered is that the natural pressure of the reservoir, or drive energy of the well, is insufficient to cause the flow of hydrocarbons out of the well at economically feasible quantities.

A typical problem encountered with the use of ESPs relates to reliability or longevity of electrical connectors and other electric components, e.g., electric motors.

It is frequently the case that the electrical components that are responsible for powering the pump in an ESP fail for one reason or another leading to well downtime and / or expensive repairs.

However, as wells are being drilled in deeper and deeper water, the use of a hydraulic umbilical to supply pressurized fluid from a pump positioned on a topside facility to drive an HSP becomes more problematic.

Installing the ESP inside of the production tubing and conveying the ESP into the production tubing by a power cable, or a conduit containing power cabling such as coiled tubing or the like, is seen as a means to reduce the overall replacement costs, eliminating the time and effort required to pull the completion, however, this does not improve the mean time to failure of the ESP, it simply reduces the total cost of replacement.

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