Electric submersible pump having a plurality of motors operatively coupled thereto and methods of using

Abstract

A downhole electric submersible pump system includes a plurality of motors operatively coupled on a common shaft with an electric submersible pump and a downhole switch mechanism for providing an electrical circuit to each motor of the plurality of motors, wherein the downhole switch mechanism allows power to be delivered to at least one motor. A downhole switch mechanism located in a wellbore, the downhole switch mechanism including an electrical power input for receiving power from an electrical cable and at least two electrical power outputs connected to at least two motors operatively coupled with one or more electric submersible pumps, wherein the downhole switch mechanism is actuated from the surface via the electrical cable and allows power to be delivered to at least one motor of the at least two motors coupled with the one or more electric submersible pumps. A method is also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A downhole electric submersible pump system comprising:
 a plurality of motors operatively coupled on a common shaft with an electric submersible pump; and   a downhole switch mechanism for providing an electrical circuit to each motor of the plurality of motors;   wherein the downhole switch mechanism allows power to be delivered to at least one motor of the plurality of motors coupled with the electric submersible pump.   
     
     
         2 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole switch mechanism is electrically actuated. 
     
     
         3 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical cable providing electrical power to the downhole switch mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole switch mechanism comprises an electrical power input connected to an electrical cable, and a plurality of electrical outputs. 
     
     
         5 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 4 , further comprising respective motor lead extensions extending from the plurality of electrical outputs to each motor of the plurality of motors. 
     
     
         6 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motors includes an upper motor and a lower motor, wherein the lower motor is downhole of the upper motor, further comprising a clutch mechanism disposed between the lower motor and the upper motor. 
     
     
         7 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 6 , wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to disengage at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the lower motor and at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the upper motor when the upper motor is operating. 
     
     
         8 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 6 , wherein the clutch mechanism is configured to engage at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the lower motor and at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the upper motor when the lower motor is operating. 
     
     
         9 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 6 , wherein the clutch mechanism is electro-magnetic, mechanical, or hydraulic. 
     
     
         10 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 6 , wherein the downhole switch mechanism allows power to be delivered to the lower motor, and wherein the clutch mechanism receives power from the lower motor. 
     
     
         11 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motors are disposed downhole from the electric submersible pump. 
     
     
         12 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motors are disposed up hole from the electric submersible pump. 
     
     
         13 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of motors are disposed up hole and downhole from the electric submersible pump. 
     
     
         14 . The electric submersible pump system of  claim 1 , wherein one motor of the plurality of motors is electrically powered while remaining motors are idle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of powering a plurality of motors operatively coupled with an electric submersible pump located downhole in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 providing a downhole switch mechanism in the wellbore, the downhole switch mechanism being supplied with electrical power, the downhole switch mechanism further being connected to two or more motors operatively coupled on a common shaft with the electric submersible pump;   providing electrical power through the downhole switch mechanism to a first motor of the two or more motors; and   actuating the downhole switch mechanism to break electrical power through the downhole switch mechanism to the first motor and to provide electrical power through the downhole switch mechanism to a second motor of the two or more motors.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising electrically actuating the downhole switch mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second motor is downhole of the first motor, further comprising disengaging at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the second motor and at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the first motor when the first motor is operating. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second motor is downhole of the first motor, further comprising engaging at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the second motor and at least a portion of the common shaft corresponding to the first motor when the second motor is operating. 
     
     
         19 . A downhole switch mechanism located in a wellbore, the downhole switch mechanism comprising:
 an electrical power input for receiving power from an electrical cable; and   at least two electrical power outputs connected to at least two motors operatively coupled with one or more electric submersible pumps;   wherein the downhole switch mechanism is actuated from the surface via the electrical cable and allows power to be delivered to at least one motor of the at least two motors coupled with the one or more electric submersible pumps.   
     
     
         20 . The downhole switch mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein the downhole switch mechanism breaks electrical power through the downhole switch mechanism to a first motor and delivers electrical power through the downhole switch mechanism to a second motor.