Threaded Joints for Electric Submersible Pumping Systems

Abstract

A system and methodology facilitate connection between components of an electric submersible pumping system. The technique utilizes at least one connector designed to connect a first component to a second component of an electric submersible pumping system. The connector is designed as a flangeless connector which secures engagement of the two components without relative rotation between the first component and the second component. Additional flangeless connectors may be positioned between other pairs of components to provide the enhanced connection throughout the electric submersible pumping system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for connecting components of an electric submersible pumping system, comprising:
 positioning a threaded coupler over an end of a first component of an electric submersible pumping system;   moving the first component and a second component of the electric submersible pumping system relative to each other in an axial direction until engaged;   rotating the threaded coupler relative to the first component to engage a threaded region along a threaded end of the second component to secure engagement of the first component with the second component; and   holding the threaded coupler on the end of the first component with a shoulder ring separately assembled onto the first component after positioning the threaded coupler on the end of the first component.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising providing an interference gland between the first component and the second component to reduce extrusion of a seal located between the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises attaching the shoulder ring to the first component by threaded engagement. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises attaching the shoulder ring to the first component by a melted metal engagement technique. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises attaching the shoulder ring to the first component by a threaded fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises attaching the shoulder ring to the first component by a retainer ring. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises attaching the shoulder ring to the first component by an interference fit. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising holding the second component rotationally stationary with respect to the first component while rotating the threaded coupler. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a seal to block fluid flow between the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         10 . A method for connecting components of an electric submersible pumping system, comprising:
 installing a shoulder ring in a groove formed around an end of a first component of an electric submersible pumping system;   attaching a coupler to the shoulder ring;   moving the first component and a second component of the electric submersible pumping system relative to each other in an axial direction until engaged; and   engaging the coupler with an end of the second component to secure engagement of the first component with the second component.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein engaging comprises engaging the coupler to secure engagement of the first component with the second component without relative rotation between the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein engaging comprises rotating the coupler relative to the first component to engage a threaded region along the end of the second component to secure engagement of the first component with the second component. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein installing the shoulder ring comprises installing a multi-piece split shoulder ring into the groove. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein installing the shoulder ring comprises installing a single-piece expandable C-ring type shoulder ring into the groove. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein installing the shoulder ring comprises installing a continuous swaged shoulder ring. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein attaching the coupler comprises attaching the coupler to the shoulder ring by threaded engagement. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein attaching the coupler comprises attaching the coupler to the shoulder ring by a metal melting technique. 
     
     
         18 . A method for connecting components of an electric submersible pumping system, comprising:
 installing a threaded coupler around an end of a first component of an electric submersible pumping system such that the threaded coupler has externally oriented threads;   holding the threaded coupler on the end of the first component with an abutment surface;   moving the first component and a second component of the electric submersible pumping system relative to each other in an axial direction until engaged; and   rotating the threaded coupler relative to the first component to engage a threaded region along an internally threaded end of the second component to secure engagement of the first component with the second component.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein holding comprises holding the threaded coupler with a shoulder ring having the abutment surface oriented toward the threaded coupler. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising forming at least one of the threaded coupler and the shoulder ring as a split member to facilitate assembly.