Eccentric Gas Restrictor for Horizontal Submersible Pump Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical submersible pumps face inefficiencies when dealing with gas-rich well fluids, as gas tends to flow into the pump intake, reducing overall efficiency, especially in horizontal wells where the orientation of intake ports is unpredictable.
Innovation Solution
A gas restrictor mechanism is introduced, comprising a semi-cylindrical portion and a counterweight, which self-orientates to block upper intake ports in a horizontal orientation, ensuring that only lower ports are open to fluid intake, thereby reducing gas entry into the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump intake has intake ports spaced circumferentially around the tubular member, then the pump can draw fluid from all directions, but gas will enter the pump intake through upper ports in horizontal wells, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The gas restrictor is pre-installed on the intake housing before the pump is placed in the well. The counterweight portion is positioned to automatically block upper intake ports when the pump is in horizontal orientation, preventing gas from entering the pump intake through a preliminary configuration that adapts to the well orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas restrictor acts as an intermediary component between the intake housing and the pump. It selectively blocks gas flow paths while allowing liquid to pass through lower intake ports, mediating the fluid intake process to exclude harmful gas phases from entering the pump.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If various devices are used to block upper intake ports, then gas entry is reduced, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas restrictor employs a counterweight portion that automatically positions the blocking semi-cylindrical portion over the upper intake ports when the pump is in horizontal orientation. This passive gravity-based mechanism eliminates the need for complex active control systems, valves, or movable parts while effectively preventing gas entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas restrictor is a self-positioning device that automatically orients itself based on gravity. The counterweight portion ensures the restrictor blocks the correct ports without requiring external control mechanisms, sensors, or power sources, making the system self-regulating and simple to install.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is installed in a horizontal well section, then the pump can access horizontal hydrocarbon reservoirs, but the orientation of intake ports becomes unpredictable, allowing gas to flow into the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight portion of the gas restrictor automatically orients the blocking semi-cylindrical portion to cover upper intake ports regardless of the specific horizontal orientation of the well. This gravity-based self-positioning mechanism adapts to any horizontal installation angle, ensuring gas exclusion while maintaining horizontal well capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gas restrictor effectively blocks upper intake ports, allowing primarily liquid to enter the pump, enhancing the efficiency of hydrocarbon production by minimizing gas interference, even in horizontal wells where orientation is uncertain.
Implementation Method 1
A counterweight portion is connected with the semi-cylindrical portion, the counterweight portion being configured to place a center of gravity of the gas restrictor below the semi-cylindrical portion centerline, causing the semi-cylindrical portion to overlie and block at least one of the intake housing ports located in an upper portion of the intake housing
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible pump assembly has a tubular intake housing containing intake housing ports. A gas restrictor is carried around the intake housing. The gas restrictor is an eccentric sleeve with a semi-cylindrical portion with a centerline coincident with the axis of the pump and extending around an upper portion of the intake housing. A counterweight portion connected with the semi-cylindrical portion has an outboard area farther from the centerline than the semi-cylindrical portion. A weight bar may be mounted to the counterweight portion. The gas restrictor is free to self orient relative to the intake housing due to gravity while the pump assembly is in the horizontal section of the well, with the semi-cylindrical portion overlying and blocking at least some of the intake housing ports on an upper portion of the intake housing.