ESP Motor Positioning in Vertical Wellbore for Lateral Hydrocarbon Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ESP completion methods in wellbores face challenges in efficiently producing hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs, particularly in creating a low-pressure region and maintaining efficient operation, especially when installing ESPs in lateral wellbores.
Innovation Solution
The method involves installing an ESP in the vertical wellbore portion of a wellbore junction, creating a low-pressure region within the vertical wellbore to draw hydrocarbons from a lateral wellbore portion into the vertical wellbore, and using a production tubing to direct hydrocarbons to the surface, with the ESP's motor positioned uphole of the pump inlet to enhance efficiency and prevent gas separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ESP is installed in a lateral wellbore portion, then the hydrocarbon production can be achieved, but the motor may be exposed to gas separation and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing the ESP motor in the conventional position within the lateral wellbore portion, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the motor in the vertical wellbore portion above the junction point. This inversion places the motor in a position where liquid flows continuously over it, preventing gas accumulation and maintaining cooling efficiency, while the pump stages remain positioned to draw hydrocarbons from the lateral portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the motor placement from the horizontal lateral wellbore dimension to the vertical wellbore dimension. By moving the motor to the vertical portion above the junction, the system utilizes the vertical dimension to achieve continuous liquid flow over the motor, eliminating the gas separation problem that occurs in horizontal installations while maintaining the pump's ability to access hydrocarbons from the lateral portion.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the ESP is installed higher in the wellbore, then the fluid column height is reduced improving efficiency, but the low-pressure region generation may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the pump stages specifically at or near the junction point between vertical and lateral wellbore portions. This localized positioning ensures that the pump creates an effective low-pressure region at the critical interface where hydrocarbons enter from the lateral portion, while the motor is positioned higher up to reduce overall fluid column height and improve efficiency.
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
This configuration maximizes ESP performance, prolongs its running life, and simplifies the completion process by reducing the fluid column height, ensuring efficient hydrocarbon production and preventing gas separation.
Implementation Method 1
the ESP generates a low-pressure region within the vertical wellbore portion. The low-pressure region has a lower pressure compared to the lateral wellbore portion. At least the portion of the hydrocarbons is drawn into the low-pressure region within the vertical wellbore portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical submersible pump (ESP) completion in a lateral wellbore includes an ESP installed in a wellbore that includes a vertical wellbore portion and a lateral wellbore portion that is connected to the vertical wellbore portion at a junction. The ESP is installed in the vertical wellbore portion downhole of the junction. The lateral wellbore portion extends to a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir carrying hydrocarbons. Using the ESP, at least a portion of the hydrocarbons is produced through the lateral wellbore portion.