ESP Seal Section Additives for Wellbore Fluid Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric submersible pumps in wellbores are prone to premature failure due to contamination from wellbore fluids, which degrade the lubricity and dielectric characteristics of motor oil, leading to costly maintenance and production losses.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating superabsorbent polymers or imidate salts in the seal sections of electric submersible pumps to neutralize or bind wellbore fluids, preventing them from degrading the motor oil and extending the operational life of the pump by chemically reacting with or absorbing water and polar compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electric submersible pumps operate in wellbore environments, then hydrocarbon extraction is enabled, but wellbore fluid infiltration degrades motor oil properties causing premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon extractionVSAvoidmotor oil performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (desiccant material or chemical additive) into the motor oil that acts as a mediator between the wellbore fluid contaminants and the motor oil. This intermediary selectively binds to water and polar compounds through absorption or chemical reaction, preventing direct contact between contaminants and motor oil, thus maintaining motor oil performance while enabling continued operation in contaminated environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of wellbore fluid infiltration into a beneficial process by using the contaminants' presence to trigger beneficial chemical reactions. The water and polar compounds that would normally degrade motor oil instead react with added chemicals (such as imidate salts or superabsorbent polymers) to form harmless or beneficial products, effectively transforming the contamination problem into a protective mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If motor oil is used for bearing lubrication and dielectric resistance, then pump operation is maintained, but contaminant infiltration causes lubricity and dielectric degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operationVSAvoidcontaminant degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the motor oil system automatically neutralizes its own contaminants. By incorporating self-reacting chemicals or self-absorbing materials directly into the motor oil, the system continuously monitors and counteracts contamination without external intervention, maintaining lubricity and dielectric properties through autonomous chemical action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the motor oil from a simple lubricant into a composite material system. By combining base motor oil with functional additives (desiccants, chemical reactants, or absorbent polymers), the system gains dual functionality: maintaining original lubrication properties while adding contaminant neutralization capabilities, creating a multi-functional fluid that resists both mechanical wear and chemical degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 additives effectively postpone motor failure by maintaining the lubricity and dielectric properties of the motor oil, thereby increasing the run-life of the electric submersible pump system by neutralizing or binding contaminants, even under extreme downhole conditions.

Implementation Method 1

additives can include superabsorbent polymers, an imidate salt, or mixtures thereof, that can react with wellbore fluids or otherwise bind wellbore fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

superabsorbent polymers... that can react with wellbore fluids or otherwise bind wellbore fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

additives can include superabsorbent polymers, an imidate salt, or mixtures thereof, that can react with wellbore fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11708838B2Chemical sequestration of wellbore fluids in electric submersible pump systems

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An electric submersible pump includes a pump, an electric motor that is coupled to the pump by a rotatable shaft, a seal section that is positioned between the pump and the electric motor. The seal section contains an additive and a motor oil for the electric motor. The additive includes one or more superabsorbent polymers or imidate salts to contact the motor oil and to react with a wellbore fluid from a wellbore to prevent premature failure of the electric submersible pump from the wellbore fluid contamination of the motor oil.