Wells – Processes – Assembling well part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-10-09
Tsay, Frank S. (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Assembling well part
C439S194000, C166S065100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298921
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a modular system for deploying well-related equipment, such as electric submergible pumping systems, and particularly to a modular system of combined external tubing and internal power cable that permits deployment of the equipment and the provision of power thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of systems are used for deploying equipment used in the production of fluids, such as oil, from producing wells. For example, tubing has commonly been used for the deployment of downhole equipment. For example, electric submergible pumping systems may be deployed by appropriate deployment tubing to a desired location within a wellbore. Depending on the application, the production fluid, e.g. oil, is produced either through the center of the tubing or through the annulus formed between the tubing and the wellbore casing.
When deploying systems, such as electric submergible pumping systems, it is necessary to provide power to the system via an appropriate power cable connected between a power supply at the surface and a submergible electric motor of the electric submergible pumping system. The power cable generally is either tied to the outside of the tubing or routed through the center of the tubing. For example, if the production fluid is produced through the annulus formed around the deployment tubing, it is convenient to provide power cable through the center of the tubing.
One type of tubing commonly utilized is coiled tubing. Coiled tubing may be mounted on rolls that are unrolled during deployment of the downhole system for relatively rapid and convenient deployment. For certain applications, a power cable may be disposed in the center of the coiled tubing. For example, Reda of Bartlesville, Okla. a division of Schlumberger Corporation, manufactures REDACoil™ in which power cable for supplying power to electric submergible motors is prepackaged within coiled tubing.
Generally, the coiled tubing and the internal power cable are formed in the lengths needed to accommodate deployment of the electric submergible pumping system to a desired location within a wellbore. In certain applications, however, particularly with deep wells, it would be advantageous to have a modular deployment system in which two or more sections of combined coiled tubing and power cable could readily be connected during deployment of the submergible system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features a modular system for deploying and powering a device used in a well. The system includes a plurality of connectable segments. Each segment includes a tube having a pair of axial ends and a hollow interior. A power cable is disposed in the hollow interior. Additionally, a connector is mounted at each axial end of the tube. Each connector includes a tube connector portion, for coupling the tube to a next adjacent connectable segment, and a power cable connector portion to readily couple the power cable to the next adjacent connectable segment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for pumping a production fluid from a wellbore. The system includes an electric submergible pumping system that has a submergible motor, a submergible pump, a pump intake and a motor protector. Additionally, the system includes a deployment mechanism by which the electric submergible pumping system is suspended in the wellbore. The deployment mechanism is formed from a plurality of interconnectable segments that may be selectively connected and disconnected.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for deploying a device downhole within a wellbore. The method includes inserting lengths of power cable in corresponding sections of support tubing. The method further includes providing each length of power cable and each section of support tubing with a separable connector end. Additionally, the method includes lowering the device into the wellbore, and selectively coupling each length of power cable and corresponding section of support tubing with the next sequential length of power cable and corresponding section of support tubing. The connection is formed via the separable connector, and multiple potential connections can be made to permit lowering of the device to a desired depth.
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Camco International Inc.
Tsay Frank S.
LandOfFree
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