Multi-Phase Conductor Shoe For Use With Electrical Submersible Pump

Abstract

A system for producing wellbore fluids. The system includes a pumping system deployable into tubing disposed in a wellbore, the pumping system includes a pump, a pump motor, a reservoir for containing purging fluid, and conductors in electrical communication with the pump motor. Electrical supply contacts in the tubing are connected to a downhole electrical power supply via a power cable extending along the tubing length from the surface. The conductors are engageable with the electrical supply contacts when the pumping system is landed within the tubing. Purging fluid in the reservoir can be flowed between the conductors and the supply contacts to remove conductive fluid prior to engaging the conductors and supply contacts. The conductors are selectively extended from a retracted position in the pumping system.

1 . A system for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon producing wellbore comprising:
 a string of tubing disposed within the wellbore;   a receptacle adapted for connection to the string of tubing lower end;   supply contacts in the receptacle connected to an electrical source;   a pumping system deployable through the tubing having,
 a pump with fluid inlets and 
 a pump motor mechanically coupled to the pump; 
   a deployed assembly provided with the pumping system selectively engageable with the annular receptacle, the deployed assembly having a volume of purging fluid selectively dischargable from the deployed assembly to a space around the contacts; and   conductors provided with the deployed assembly that are in electrical communication with the pump motor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conductors are selectively extendable from a retracted position into contact with the supply contacts, so that the pump motor is energizable by the electrical source by contacting the conductors with the supply contacts. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a retaining member circumscribing the conductors, the member formed so that a retaining force is applied to the conductors directed radially inward. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sleeve axially slideable from a first position having a first portion in mechanical contact with a conductor to a second position having a second portion in mechanical contact with a conductor, wherein the second portion thickness is greater than the first portion to thereby push the conductor radially outward. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power cable in the wellbore on the tubing outer circumference connected on one end to the electrical source, and supply leads that extend from the other end of the power cable to the supply contacts. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a profiled channel on the deployed assembly outer surface registerable with a key on the receptacle inner circumference that orients the deployed assembly when it is landed within the tubing so that the conductors are aligned with the supply contacts. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a reservoir in the deployed assembly containing the purging fluid, a piston selectively moveable in the reservoir, an elongated piston rod extending from the piston, a fluid flow path from the reservoir having an exit directed beneath the deployed assembly, and a plunger on the end of the piston rod opposite the piston. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a selectively openable conduit extending between the purging fluid and the ESP system internal pressure. 
     
     
         9 . A wellbore production system comprising:
 a pumping system having a pump with fluid inlets, a pump motor mechanically coupled to the pump, a housing mechanically coupled to an end of the motor opposite the pump, and conductors on the housing in electrical communication with the pump motor;   a string of tubing disposed within the wellbore configured to receive the pumping system therein;   electrical supply leads on the tubing inner circumference in electrical communication with an electrical source and in selective electrical communication with the contacts when the pumping system is landed in the tubing; and   a fluid reservoir in the housing having non-conductive purging fluid, the reservoir in selective communication with the housing outer surface, so that selectively flowing the purging fluid from the fluid reservoir between the contacts and the electrical supply leads purges electrically conductive fluid away from the contacts and the electrical supply leads.   
     
     
         10 . The wellbore production system of  claim 9 , wherein the contacts are selectively extendable from a retracted position in the pumping system into contact with the supply leads. 
     
     
         11 . The wellbore production system of  claim 9 , further comprising a piston selectively movable into the reservoir, so that moving the piston into the reservoir urges purging fluid out from the reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . A method of producing fluids from a hydrocarbon producing wellbore comprising:
 providing within the wellbore tubing with an attached receptacle in electrical communication with an electrical power source;   providing a pumping system with an attached deployed assembly,
 the pumping system having a pump with fluid inlets and a pump motor mechanically coupled to the pump, 
 the deployed assembly having non-conductive purging fluid stored therein; 
   deploying the pumping system and attached deployed assembly in the tubing;   purging a space between the deployed assembly and the receptacle by discharging the non-conductive purging fluid stored in the deployed assembly; and   landing the deployed assembly into the receptacle.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing conductors on the deployed assembly in electrical communication with the pump motor, providing supply contacts in the receptacle in electrical communication with the electrical power source and orienting the deployed assembly within the receptacle to align the conductors with the electrical supply contacts. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising selectively extending the conductors outward from a retracted position into engagement with the supply contacts. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising activating the electrical power source and pumping fluid through the pumping system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising forming a seal between the deployed assembly and the receptacle when landing the deployed assembly into the receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing the pumping system includes deploying at least one member of the pumping system on a first downhole deployment and at least another member of the pumping system on a second downhole deployment.