Coiled tubing supported electrical cable having indentations

An apparatus for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump, comprising:

• a continuous metal tubing having an inner diameter;
• an electrical cable having at least one insulated electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric jacket, the electrical cable extending longitudinally through the tubing;
• at least one retainer mounted to the electrical cable and having an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the tubing;
• and
• at least one primary set of dimples integrally formed in the tubing, the dimples within the primary set being spaced circumferentially apart from each other and protruding into the tubing a distance which circumscribes a clearance diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the retainer, creating ledges which are engaged by the retainer when the apparatus is installed in the well.

A method of installing an electrical cable within tubing for use in a well, the electrical cable having at least one insulated electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric jacket, comprising:

• (a) mounting at least one retainer to the electrical cable, the retainer having a load shoulder which is adapted to face downward when installed within a well;
• (b) inserting the electrical cable into the tubing;
• and
• (c) locating the retainer within the tubing and forming at least one load supporting indentation in the tubing adjacent to and spaced a short distance from the load shoulder, the load supporting indentation protruding into the tubing to create a ledge for engagement by the load shoulder when the tubing is installed within the well.

A method of deploying coiled tubing in a well, comprising:

• (a) forming at least one indentation in the tubing, creating an interior surface which protrudes into an interior passage of the tubing for creating a ledge;
• and
• (b) filling an exterior depression created by the indentation with an inlay of rigid material;
• then
• (c) running the tubing into the well.

An apparatus for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump, comprising:

• a tubing having an interior passage and a longitudinal axis;
• an electrical cable having at least one insulated electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric jacket and an armor comprising a metal strip wrapped helically around the jacket, the electrical cable extending longitudinally through the interior passage of the tubing;
• and
• at least one dimple formed in the tubing, the dimple having a depressed exterior surface which is filled with a rigid material and protruding into the interior passage of the tubing sufficiently to transfer any tensile load on armor of the cable through the dimple to the tubing.

An apparatus for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump, comprising:

• a tubing having an interior passage and a longitudinal axis;
• an electrical cable having at least one insulated electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric jacket and an armor comprising a metal strip wrapped helically around the jacket, the electrical cable extending longitudinally through the interior passage of the tubing;
• and
• at least one dimple formed in the tubing, the dimple protruding into the interior passage of the tubing sufficiently to transfer any tensile load on said armor of the cable through the dimple to the tubing;
• wherein
• the dimple is conical and has a dimple axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubing;
• and wherein
• the dimple defines a conical depression on an exterior surface of the tubing which is filled with weld material.

A method of installing electrical cable within coiled tubing for use in a well, the electrical cable having at least one insulated electrical conductor embedded within an elastomeric jacket, the jacket being enclosed in an armor of a metal wrap, comprising:

• (a) inserting the electrical cable into the tubing while the tubing is located on the surface;
• then
• (b) forming at least one dimple in the tubing which protrudes into an interior passage of the tubing and secures the cable against longitudinal movement;
• (c) filling an exterior depression caused by the dimple with an inlay of rigid material;
• then
• (d) running the tubing into the well.