Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The gas separator of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of produced well fluid and vents unhomogenized gas, improving the efficiency and decreasing the downtime of the assembly. A system for pumping gaseous fluid from an underground well includes a gas separator, the gas separator including an impeller configured to homogenize at least a portion of a gas and a liquid in a pumped fluid to obtain homogenized fluid, the impeller including a top side open to the diffuser and a truncated vane located at a mid-pitch location between at least two untruncated vanes starting from a bottom side of the impeller, and a gas separation chamber downstream of the impeller, the gas separation chamber configured to vent an unhomogenized gas, and a centrifugal pump arranged to receive the homogenized fluid from the gas separation chamber.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly bearing is described. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a rotatable sleeve, and a bushing outward of the rotatable sleeve, the bushing including a tubular portion, and a radial flange extending around a downstream side of the tubular portion. An ESP assembly includes a rotatable shaft, at least one stage stacked in series on the rotatable shaft, each stage including a diffuser, a stationary bearing member including a tubular portion secured within a working fluid exit of the diffuser, a stationary member flange extending radially outward from a top of the tubular portion, and a rotatable sleeve inward of the stationary bearing member and secured to the rotatable shaft. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a bushing including a tubular portion, and an annular retaining ring groove extending around an outer surface of the tubular portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The centrifugal pump of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of the gas and liquid contained in produced well fluid thereby improving the efficiency of the pump in electric submersible pump (ESP) applications and decreasing the downtime of the ESP system. The impeller of the invention comprises an increased inlet area. The centrifugal pump of the invention comprises a single shroud located on the bottom side of an impeller, an increased inlet area of the impeller and an increased clearance gap between the impeller and a diffuser. One or more truncated vanes extend substantially upstream from the single shroud, wherein each truncated vane sits at a mid-pitch location between untruncated vanes starting from the bottom side of the impeller.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for handling abrasive-laden fluid is described. A centrifugal pump system for handling abrasive-laden fluid includes an impeller including an annular balance ring extending longitudinally on a top side of the impeller and an annular skirt extending longitudinally on a bottom side of the impeller, one of the annular balance ring, the annular skirt or a combination thereof having portions defining a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures form an abrasive-media relief path that bypasses at least a portion of a clearance gap and merges with a primary working-fluid flow path. A centrifugal pump impeller includes a bottom shroud, an annular skirt extending longitudinally upstream from the bottom shroud, the annular skirt encircling a central hub, and the annular skirt having an aperture extending through a thickness of the annular skirt.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly bearing is described. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a rotatable sleeve, and a bushing outward of the rotatable sleeve, the bushing including a tubular portion, and a radial flange extending around a downstream side of the tubular portion. An ESP assembly includes a rotatable shaft, at least one stage stacked in series on the rotatable shaft, each stage including a diffuser, a stationary bearing member including a tubular portion secured within a working fluid exit of the diffuser, a stationary member flange extending radially outward from a top of the tubular portion, and a rotatable sleeve inward of the stationary bearing member and secured to the rotatable shaft. A bearing set for an ESP assembly includes a bushing including a tubular portion, and an annular retaining ring groove extending around an outer surface of the tubular portion.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for handling abrasive-laden fluid is described. A centrifugal pump system for handling abrasive-laden fluid includes an impeller including an annular balance ring extending longitudinally on a top side of the impeller and an annular skirt extending longitudinally on a bottom side of the impeller, one of the annular balance ring, the annular skirt or a combination thereof having portions defining a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures form an abrasive-media relief path that bypasses at least a portion of a clearance gap and merges with a primary working-fluid flow path. A centrifugal pump impeller includes a bottom shroud, an annular skirt extending longitudinally upstream from the bottom shroud, the annular skirt encircling a central hub, and the annular skirt having an aperture extending through a thickness of the annular skirt.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The centrifugal pump of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of the gas and liquid contained in produced well fluid thereby improving the efficiency of the pump in electric submersible pump (ESP) applications and decreasing the downtime of the ESP system. The impeller of the invention comprises an increased inlet area. The centrifugal pump of the invention comprises a single shroud located on the bottom side of an impeller, an increased inlet area of the impeller and an increased clearance gap between the impeller and a diffuser. One or more truncated vanes extend substantially upstream from the single shroud, wherein each truncated vane sits at a mid-pitch location between untruncated vanes starting from the bottom side of the impeller.

Abstract: Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.

Abstract: Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The gas separator of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of produced well fluid and vents unhomogenized gas thereby improving the efficiency and decreasing the downtime of the assembly. A system for pumping gaseous fluid from an underground well comprises a gas separator, the gas separator comprising an impeller configured to homogenize at least a portion of a gas and a liquid in a pumped fluid to obtain homogenized fluid, the impeller comprising a top side open to the diffuser and a truncated vane located at a mid-pitch location between at least two untruncated vanes starting from a bottom side of the impeller, and a gas separation chamber downstream of the impeller, the gas separation chamber configured to vent an unhomogenized gas, and a centrifugal pump arranged to receive the homogenized fluid from the gas separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The centrifugal pump of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of the gas and liquid contained in produced well fluid thereby improving the efficiency of the pump in electric submersible pump (ESP) applications and decreasing the downtime of the ESP system. The impeller of the invention comprises an increased inlet area. The centrifugal pump of the invention comprises a single shroud located on the bottom side of an impeller, an increased inlet area of the impeller and an increased clearance gap between the impeller and a diffuser. One or more truncated vanes extend substantially upstream from the single shroud, wherein each truncated vane sits at a mid-pitch location between untruncated vanes starting from the bottom side of the impeller.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for separating solids in submersible pump applications are described. The solids separator of the invention removes solids from produced well fluid thereby reducing abrasive affects from those solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications and increasing the lifespan of the ESP assembly. A system for separating solids from produced well fluid comprises a solids separator located between an ESP pump and an ESP motor. A solids separator comprises a guide vane inducer, a cyclone configured to receive fluid from the guide vane inducer, a solids separation chamber substantially downstream of the cyclone, wherein a hard liner at least partially surrounds the solids separation chamber, a solids channel along at least a portion of the hard liner, and a solids exit located proximate the solids channel.

Abstract: Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.