Anti-Rotation Device And Method For Alternate Deployable Electric Submersible Pumps

Abstract

An anti-rotation device for and method of preventing rotation of alternate deployable electrical submersible pumps (ESP's) within a well casing. This anti-rotation device includes a mandrel connected with the ESP (or ESP string) and a torque anchor connected with an inner surface of the well casing. A portion of the mandrel is configured to engage an inner surface of the torque anchor is such a manner as to prevent rotational movement of the mandrel (and ESP) within the well casing. The mandrel may be of variable length and configured to allow variable and selective positioning of the ESP within the well casing. The interaction of the mandrel and the torque break also provides for alignment of the ESP within the well casing. Additionally, it absorbs and dissipates pump induced torque for the ESP.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anti-rotation device for operation of an electric submersible pump (ESP) in a well casing, comprising:
 a self-guiding mandrel connected with the ESP, and;   a torque anchor connected with the well casing, the torque anchor being configured to receive a portion of the self-guiding mandrel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a self-aligning helical keyway or slot. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the self-aligning helical keyway or slot is on an outside surface of the mandrel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the self-aligning helical keyway or slot is on an inside surface of a keyed housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation device stabilizes the ESP against a torque, while allowing vertical play of the ESP. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation device stabilizes the ESP against a torque, while allowing an expansion and contraction of the ESP. 
     
     
         7 . The slotted mandrel with helical features of  claim 1 , further comprising a bullnose, wherein the bullnose allows fluid flow through the bullnose. 
     
     
         8 . The slotted mandrel with helical features of  claim 7 , wherein the mandrel has multiple slots. 
     
     
         9 . An ESP a system, comprising:
 a keyed mandrel;   a slotted housing to fit around the keyed mandrel and connected with an ESP; and,   a torque anchor connected with a well casing, said torque anchor being configured to slideably receive a portion of the keyed mandrel.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the housing includes helical self-aligning slots. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , where the torque anchor includes helical self-aligning slots. 
     
     
         12 . A method of limiting rotation of an ESP in a cased well, comprising:
 providing a cased well;   providing an ESP within the cased well;   providing a mandrel connected with the ESP;   providing a torque anchor connected with an inner surface of the cased well; and,   introducing a portion of the mandrel into the torque anchor.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a bullnose connected with an end of the mandrel, wherein the bullnose allows fluid flow through the bullnose. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a mandrel connected with the ESP further includes providing at least one key engageable with at least one slot on the torque anchor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing an ESP, includes providing at least on pump and at least one electrical motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the torque anchor is provided downwell from the ESP. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the torque anchor is provided upwell from the ESP.