Electrical Jumper with Bowed Spring Centering for Oil Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impaired joints between conduit sections in oil-producing wells lead to voltage loss and potential leakage, disrupting the electrical conductivity necessary for enhanced oil production.
Innovation Solution
An electrical jumper with interconnected tubings and centering devices, including bowed springs and electrical contacts, is used to bridge impaired joints and ensure unimpeded electrical conductivity, while also reducing leakage through the use of annular plugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conduit sections are connected using joints, then the well structure can be assembled and disassembled, but the joints deteriorate and produce impedance in electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
An electrical jumper is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent conduit sections to bridge the impedance caused by deteriorated joints. The jumper includes conductive elements that make electrical contact with both conduit sections, ensuring continuous electrical conductivity even when the joint between sections is impaired.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity path is segmented into multiple independent pathways: the original joint path and the alternative jumper path. This segmentation allows the system to maintain electrical conductivity through the jumper when the joint path fails, providing redundancy and reliability.
2Device complexity
If joints between conduit sections deteriorate, then assembly is simplified, but voltage loss increases and leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical jumper acts as a mediator that bypasses the deteriorated joint, providing a low-impedance path for electrical current. This eliminates voltage loss that would otherwise occur across the impaired joint by routing current through the jumper's conductive elements.
3Ease of operation
If joints are made simpler for assembly, then installation is easier, but leakage between conduit sections and formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical jumper serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical conductivity continuity, seals the annular space between conduit sections and formation to prevent leakage, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality allows simple joint assembly while eliminating harmful leakage effects.
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 solution maintains electrical conductivity and reduces leakage, thereby enhancing oil production by maintaining voltage across the conduit sections and preventing fluid loss into the surrounding formation.
Implementation Method 1
Each bowed spring bows outwardly between the rings to resiliently bear against the interior bore of the conduit section in which it is mounted
Implementation Method 2
centering devices including means to provide a path of electrical conductivity between the conduit section or liner and the enclosed tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A jumper providing electrical communication between two components of a producing well of an oil field. The jumper has two tubings for insertion in two components each with an anchor adapted to be rigidly mounted in its associated component. Each tubing has a centering device, consisting of a pair of rings surrounding the tubing and an array of bowed springs bridging between the rings and biased to bow outwardly into engagement with the bore of the associated component. One of the two rings is electrically and mechanically connected to the tubing, whereas the other ring is free to be displaced longitudinally of the tubing so that the outer diameter of the array of bowed el springs may expand or contract, as needed. Each bowed spring in the array is provided with supplemental electrical contacts to insure a path of electrical conductivity between the connected ring and the associated component through the bowed springs.