Abstract:
A device, method, and program product detect and break an occurrence of gas lock in an electrical submersible pump assembly in a well bore based upon surface or downhole data without the need for operator intervention. The system provides the ability to flush the pump and return the system back to production without requiring system shutdown. In addition, the system provides an algorithm for controlling a pump operating speed of the electrical submersible pump assembly to maximize production from the well bore.
Abstract:
A motor controller for an electrical submersible pump production system is coupled to a real-time software model using known correlations and algorithms to model the performance of the production system, including the production equipment and the well, and executes separately from any modeling used to compute operating parameters from downhole measurements for use by the motor controller. The real-time software model receives operating parameter measurements from a data acquisition subsystem and compares the measurements with projected operating parameter values according to the model. Differences between measured and projected values are analyzed to identify operating problems or non-optimal operating conditions, with automatic corrections and/or notifications being triggered.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for using variable speed drives to restart downhole submersible pump motors. In one embodiment, a downhole pump is controlled using a variable speed drive that includes a control system configured to detect interruptions in the operation of the pump system. After an interruption that requires the restart of the pump motor, the control system determines the reverse rotational speed of the pump motor and restarts the motor when this speed is sufficiently low. The control system may be configured to reduce the output voltage of the variable speed drive and sweep through a range of output frequencies to determine the frequency at which the current drawn by the motor is lowest. This is the frequency at which the drive's output matches the speed of the motor and the apparent impedance of the motor is highest. When the speed is low enough, the motor is restarted.
Abstract:
A device and method can detect, and also break, an occurrence of gas lock in an electrical submersible pump assembly in a well bore based upon surface or downhole data without the need for operator intervention. To detect an occurrence of gas lock, an instantaneous value is monitored using a sensor. Then a controller compares the instantaneous value to a threshold value over a predetermined duration to thereby detect the occurrence of gas lock in the electrical submersible pump assembly. Sensors can include, for example, a differential pressure gauge, a pressure gage located in a pump stage located toward the inlet, a fluid temperature sensor located toward the discharge, a free gas detector located near the pump discharge, an electrical resistivity gage, a flow meter located within surface production tubing, and a vibration sensor attached to a tubing string to measure a vibration signature.
Abstract:
An improved electrical submersible pump is disclosed in which a processor (37) downhole is utilized to monitor one or more subsurface conditions, to record data, and to alter at least one operating condition of the electrical submersible pump (23). Novel uses are described for downhole gas compression, the delivery of particulate matter to wellbore sites, and for the disposal of waste.
Abstract:
A protection system for an artificial lift device including but not limited to electrical submersible pump (ESP) and an electrical submersible progressing cavity pup (ESPCP). The artificial lift device is suspended on a tubing string into a wellbore where the artificial lift device contacts well fluids. The artificial lift device is provided with a barrier such as an intake barrier or output barrier that deters an ingress of well fluids into the artificial lift device. As a result, the artificial lift device may remain idle and submerged within well fluids for an extended period of time without experiencing degradation of the artificial lift device internals. The intake barrier may include a plug, burst disk, dissolvable material, a selectively openable barrier such as a sleeve or a spring biased member or other member that is capable of providing a suitable barrier. The barrier may be removed once the artificial lift device is ready for operation. The artificial lift device may be filled with a protective fluid. An optional pressure sensor may be provided that is in communication with the interior of the backup unit for communicating with a compressor that may be activated to maintain a positive pressure within the artificial lift device to prevent well fluids from entering the unit. The protection system of the invention is desirable for protecting an idle artificial lift device, including when the artificial lift device is a backup unit in a multi-artificial lift device deployment.
Abstract:
A protection system for an artificial lift device including but not limited to electrical submersible pump (ESP) and an electrical submersible progressing cavity pup (ESPCP). The artificial lift device is suspended on a tubing string into a wellbore where the artificial lift device contacts well fluids. The artificial lift device is provided with a barrier such as an intake barrier or output barrier that deters an ingress of well fluids into the artificial lift device. As a result, the artificial lift device may remain idle and submerged within well fluids for an extended period of time without experiencing degradation of the artificial lift device internals. The intake barrier may include a plug, burst disk, dissolvable material, a selectively openable barrier such as a sleeve or a spring biased member or other member that is capable of providing a suitable barrier. The barrier may be removed once the artificial lift device is ready for operation. The artificial lift device may be filled with a protective fluid. An optional pressure sensor may be provided that is in communication with the interior of the backup unit for communicating with a compressor that may be activated to maintain a positive pressure within the artificial lift device to prevent well fluids from entering the unit. The protection system of the invention is desirable for protecting an idle artificial lift device, including when the artificial lift device is a backup unit in a multi-artificial lift device deployment.
Abstract:
A three phase power cable is employed to transmit data encoded in a phase-to-phase manner within a high frequency carrier signal transmitted simultaneously with power transmitted from surface equipment to downhole components. The high frequency carrier signal is transmitted on all conductors of the power cable, with the signal carried on at least two phases or conductors modulated between the two conductors to encode data between the two phases. Any modulation technique may be employed. Multiple phase-to-phase signals may be encoded and transmitted between different pairs of the power cable conductors, or the same data may be encoded and transmitted in multiple phase-to-phase signals in either a single-ended or differential manner. The high frequency carrier may be employed to transmit data from sensors downhole to the surface equipment, control signals from the surface equipment to the downhole components, or both.
Abstract:
An improved electrical submersible pump is disclosed in which a processor downhole is utilized to monitor one or more subsurface conditions, to record data, and to alter at least one operating condition of the electrical submersible pump. Novel uses are described for downhole gas compression, the delivery of particulate matter to wellbore sites, and for the disposal of waste.