Inflatable packer system for submersible well pump
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsJamie Cochran, Richard McCann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A well pump system includes a fluid pump having an inlet and a discharge. The inlet and discharge are separated longitudinally by an inflatable annular seal. An inflation line extends between the discharge and an inflation inlet of the inflatable annular seal. A pressure relief is operable to direct flow from the discharge to the inflation line. The pressure relief is operable to open the discharge to flow to surface in the well when a predetermined fluid pressure is reached. The system includes means for opening the inflation line to release pressure in the inflatable annular seal when a selected tension is applied to the well pump system.
Claims16
A well pump system comprising
- a fluid pump having an intake and a discharge, the intake and the discharge fluidly separated by an inflatable annular seal;
- an inflation line extending between the discharge and an inflation inlet of the inflatable annular seal;
- a pressure relief operable to direct flow from the discharge to the inflation line, the pressure relief operable to open the discharge to direct flow to a surface in a well when a predetermined fluid pressure is reached;
- and
- a sub including a first component releasably coupled to a second component such that the sub is configured to disconnect the inflation line between the discharge and the inflation inlet to release pressure in the inflatable annular seal when a selected tension is applied to the well pump system.
A method for deploying a well pump in a well, the method comprising:
- moving the well pump to a chosen depth in the well;
- starting the well pump to discharge fluid into an inflatable annular seal external to the well pump to inflate the annular seal;
- opening a pressure relief to divert discharge of the well pump to the well on one side of the annular seal when the annular seal is inflated;
- operating the well pump to move fluid from the well to a surface;
- stopping the well pump and applying tension to the well pump to disconnect an inflation line between the well pump and the annular seal and vent fluid trapped in the annular seal;
- and
- lifting the well pump out of the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.