Hydraulic Installation Method and Apparatus for Installing a Submersible Pump

Abstract

Aspects of this invention include a method for deploying a small diameter submersible pump in a deviated wellbore. The submersible pump is first lowered into the production tubing under the influence of gravity. The pump includes a sealing member deployed thereabout which provides a releasable seal with an interior surface of the production tubing. The pump is then forced deeper into the production tubing (e.g., into a deviated section of the wellbore). This is accomplished via introducing a column of liquid (such as water) into the production tubing above the pump. The liquid exerts a force on the pump and sealing member so as to force the pump deeper into the well, thereby drawing one or more power lines into the wellbore with the pump. The invention advantageously enables a small diameter submersible pump to be economically deployed in a highly deviated wellbore. The invention also advantageously enables deployment into partially obstructed and/or damaged tubing.

1 . A method for installing a small diameter submersible pump in production tubing, the production tubing being deployed in a deviated wellbore, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a length of production tubing deployed in a deviated wellbore, the production tubing including a sealing device deployed therein at a predetermined measured depth;   (b) providing a small diameter pump having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the pump further including a sealing member deployed about an outer surface of the pump, the sealing member deployed axially between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the pump further including at least one power line coupled thereto;   (c) lowering the pump into the production tubing, a gravitational force drawing the pump into the tubing, the sealing member contacting and providing a releasable seal with an inner surface of the production tubing, the at least one power line extending upward from the pump out an upper end of the production tubing; and   (d) forcing the pump deeper into the production tubing by introducing a liquid into the production tubing above the pump, the liquid providing a downward force on the sealing member and the pump, said downward force sufficient to force the pump deeper into the wellbore through a deviated section of the production tubing into engagement with the sealing device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (e) exerting an upward force on the at least one power line to: (i) disengage the pump from the sealing device and (ii) release the releasable seal between the sealing member and the production tubing; and   (f) removing the pump from the production tubing via pulling upwards on the at least one power line.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deviated section of the production tubing includes a substantially horizontal section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises a sealing nipple deployed at a lower end of the production tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the production tubing further includes a stripper deployed at an upper end thereof, the at least one power line being sealingly engaged with the stripper; and   the at least one power line being drawn into the production tubing through the stripper in both (c) and (d).   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is pressurized. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sand seal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is lowered in (c) until the gravitational force is unable to draw it deeper into the wellbore. 
     
     
         10 . A method for installing a small diameter submersible pump in production tubing, the production tubing being deployed in a deviated wellbore, the method comprising:
 (a) lowering a small diameter submersible pump into a length of production tubing, the production tubing deployed in a deviated wellbore, a gravitational force drawing the pump into the production tubing, the pump including a sealing member deployed about an outer surface thereof, the sealing member deployed axially between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the pump further including at least one power line coupled thereto and extending upward to a surface location; and   (b) forcing the pump deeper into the production tubing by introducing a liquid into the production tubing above the pump, the liquid providing a downward force on the sealing member and the pump, said downward force sufficient to force the pump deeper into the wellbore and into engagement with a seating nipple deployed in the production tubing.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 (c) exerting an upward force on the at least one power line to: (i) disengage the pump from the seating nipple and (ii) release the releasable seal between the sealing member and the production tubing; and   (d) removing the pump from the production tubing via pulling upwards on the at least one power line.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the production tubing further includes a stripper deployed at an upper end thereof, the at least one power line being sealingly engaged with the stripper; and   the at least one power line being drawn into the production tubing through the stripper in both (a) and (b).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the liquid is pressurized. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sand seal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pump is lowered in (a) until the gravitational force is unable to draw it deeper into the wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . A submersible pumping system comprising:
 a submersible pump deployed in a length of production tubing, the production tubing deployed in a deviated subterranean wellbore;   the submersible pump comprising a pump body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a releasable sealing member deployed about an outer surface of the pump body axially between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the sealing member contacting and forming a releasable seal with an inner surface of the production tubing, the pump further including at least one power line connected thereto, the power line extending upwards through the production tubing to a surface location.   
     
     
         18 . The submersible pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the sealing member comprises a sand seal. 
     
     
         19 . The submersible pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one power line passed through a stripper deployed on an upper end of the production tubing. 
     
     
         20 . The submersible pumping system of  claim 17 , wherein the production tubing is deployed in deviated wellbore having a substantially horizontal section.