Submersible pump deployment and retrieval system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for deployment and retrieval of a submersible pump in a well. The submersible pump is deployed and retrieved by using a power conduit that conveys power to the submersible pump. More specifically, the power conduit has a substantially neutral buoyancy when submersed in the well fluid. The buoyancy reduces the mechanical loading of the power conduit when submerged in the well fluid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for pumping a fluid from a well, comprising: 
 a submersible pump;    a power conduit disposed in the fluid and operatively connected to the submersible pump, wherein the power conduit has a density similar to the density of the fluid within the well; and    a sealing device operatively connected to the submersible pump, wherein the sealing device supports a pressure differential created by the submersible pump.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power conduit comprises a hollow section.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the submersible pump is operated by pressure conveyed through the hollow section.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power conduit comprises at least one conductor and an insulating material.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the submersible pump is operated by electrical power conveyed through the conductor.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is disposed in a well casing.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the submersible pump is disposed in a liner.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sealing device is disposed in the liner.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises a packer.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the packer has a release mechanism operated by tension in the power conduit.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the packer equalizes the pressure above and below the packer when the submersible pump is deactivated.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the packer is disposed above the submersible pump.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the packer is disposed below the submersible pump.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises a shoe.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the shoe is disposed in a well casing.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the shoe is disposed in a liner.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the submersible pump comprises a buoyant material to decrease the weight of the submersible pump when submerged in the well.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a backflow preventer disposed below the submersible pump.  
     
     
         19 . A system for pumping fluids from a well, comprising: 
 an electric submersible pump;    a power conduit operatively connected to the electric submersible pump, wherein the power conduit has a density near the density of a fluid within the well; and    a sealing device operatively connected to the electric submersible pump, wherein the sealing device supports a pressure differential created by the electric submersible pump.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the power conduit comprises a conductor and an insulating material.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the submersible pump is operated by electrical power conveyed through the conductor.  
     
     
         22 . A system for pumping fluids from a well, comprising: 
 a hydraulically driven submersible pump;    a power conduit operatively connected to the hydraulically driven submersible pump, wherein the power conduit has a density near the density of a fluid within the well; and    a sealing device operatively connected to the hydraulically driven submersible pump, wherein the sealing device supports a pressure differential created by the submersible pump.    
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the power conduit comprises a hollow section.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the submersible pump is operated by pressure conveyed through the hollow section.  
     
     
         25 . A method for deploying a submersible pump in a well, the method comprising: 
 operatively connecting a power conduit to the submersible pump, wherein the power conduit has a density near the density of a fluid in the well;    lowering the submersible pump into the well, wherein the submersible pump is supported by the power conduit and the well is substantially full of the fluid;    sealing between a submersible pump outlet and a submersible pump inlet; and    conveying power to the submersible pump through the power conduit.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the power conveyed through the power conduit is electrical.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the power conveyed through the power conduit is hydraulic.