ESP Motor Head Isolation from Corrosive Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable terminations of electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) are vulnerable to degradation from corrosive compounds like hydrogen sulfide, leading to costly workovers due to ineffective protection methods.
Innovation Solution
A completion configuration for ESPs that includes a dual port packer with a tubing line to carry fluids to the surface and a motor head with power terminations positioned uphole of the packer, isolating the terminations from corrosive fluids, and utilizing a polish bore reciprocal with a sealbore packer to prevent fluid circulation and ensure proper cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable terminations are coated with corrosion-resistant materials, then resistance to corrosive compounds is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable terminations from the corrosive environment by routing them through a dedicated conduit that isolates them from wellbore fluids. This physical separation removes the terminations from the harmful chemical environment without requiring complex coating systems or protective barriers around the entire motor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit acts as an intermediary element between the cable terminations and the corrosive wellbore environment. It provides a protective pathway that allows electrical connections to pass through the packer while shielding the terminations from direct exposure to hydrogen sulfide and other corrosive compounds.
2Reliability
If cable terminations are isolated from wellbore fluids using traditional methods, then corrosion protection is improved, but installation complexity and workover costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable termination protection function with the existing packer and conduit structure. The conduit is integrated into the packer assembly, allowing cable terminations to be routed through the same structural element that provides wellbore isolation. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective housings or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the cable terminations, isolates them from corrosive fluids, and allows for future intervention and maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and simplifies the overall installation process.
3Reliability
If motor head is positioned above the packer, then cable termination isolation from corrosive fluids is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by transitioning to an inverted ESP configuration where the motor is positioned above the pump rather than below. This dimensional reorganization allows cable terminations to be located in the cleaner environment above the packer while the pump operates in the wellbore fluids below, eliminating the need for complex lateral routing arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A completion configuration and a method for an electrical submersible pump (ESP) are provided. An exemplary completion configuration includes a dual port packer, a tubing line mounted in a first port of the dual port packer, wherein the tubing line carries fluid from a reservoir to a surface, and a motor head mounted in a second port of the dual port packer, wherein the motor head couples to ESP power terminations that are disposed uphole of the dual port packer.