ESP Pump Packer Inflation via Reversible Port Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ESP systems face challenges in being moved or redeployed within a wellbore without the need to completely remove them, and in sealing the tubing interior repeatedly without additional equipment.
Innovation Solution
An ESP system with an inflatable seal element and controllable valves that can reverse the direction of the fluid pump's ports to direct fluid discharge for sealing and torque restraint, allowing for movement and redeployment within the wellbore, and a method involving the use of an electrical cable for positioning and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an ESP system is deployed at the end of tubing, then the pump can be easily installed and removed, but the system cannot be moved or repositioned within the wellbore without complete removal
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is designed as an inflatable element that can transition between deflated and inflated states, enabling the ESP system to move freely when deflated and seal firmly when inflated. This dynamic state change allows repositioning capability without permanent installation commitment.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer uses pneumatic inflation through fluid injection to expand and seal against the tubing wall. This hydraulic mechanism provides reliable sealing and torque restraint without complex mechanical locking devices, enabling the pump to be held at intermediate positions within the wellbore.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ESP system includes an inflatable packer with controllable valves, then the pump can be repositioned and resealed repeatedly, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controllable valve serves multiple functions: it controls packer inflation for sealing, enables torque restraint during pumping, and allows deflation for repositioning. This single multi-functional component reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESP system uses its own pump to provide the fluid pressure needed for packer inflation, eliminating the need for separate external inflation equipment. The system serves itself by using its pumping capability to enable its own repositioning and sealing operations.
3Reliability
If the pump ports are reversable to direct fluid discharge for sealing, then the system can maintain seal and provide torque restraint, but the pump design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pump ports are designed to switch between fixed and reversible configurations based on operational requirements. During normal pumping, ports maintain fixed orientation for efficient fluid flow. During repositioning, ports reverse to direct discharge fluid to the packer for inflation, enabling dynamic adaptation to different operational states.
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
Enables repeated positioning, pumping, and retrieval of the ESP system within the wellbore without additional pumps, maintaining a seal and providing torque restraint, thus reducing deployment and servicing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable seal element, and controllable valves to selectively direct fluid discharge of the fluid pump to an inflation volume of the inflatable seal element
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical submersible pump system includes an electric motor operably coupled to a fluid pump which includes first and second fluid ports. The first and second ports are selectively operable as a fluid intake and a fluid discharge of the fluid pump with reversal of a direction of rotation of the fluid pump. Valves in the system are controllable to selectively direct fluid discharge of the fluid pump to an inflation volume of the inflatable packer and toward the surface in a wellbore tubing. The valves are further controllable to vent pressure in the inflation volume to deflate the packer.