Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a housing, a bag support tube extending through the housing, a shaft positioned inside the bag support tube and a bag plate connected to the bag support tube. The bag plate preferably includes an end cap secured to the bag support tube and a locking collar threadingly engaged with the end cap. The bag plate is configured to receive the open end of a cylindrical seal bag manufactured from perflouroalkoxy polymer. The end cap includes a tapered head that tapers from a first diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the seal bag to a second diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the seal bag. This mechanism for securing the seal bag obviates the need for o-ring or other mechanical seals between the seal bag and the bag plate.

Abstract: A grinder pump assembly includes at least one grinder pump stage that has a diffuser and an impeller. The grinder pump assembly also includes a diffuser cap that includes cap contact surfaces. The impeller includes a plurality of upper vanes and lower vanes. The diffuser includes a plurality of lower contact surfaces, a plurality of diffuser vanes and plurality of upper contact surfaces. The upper vanes of the impeller are configured to rotate in proximity with the lower contact surfaces on the diffuser. The lower vanes of the impeller are configured to rotate in proximity with the cap contact surfaces. Multiple grinder pump stages may be used within a single grinder pump assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pumping system that includes a motor, a production pump and a seal section disposed between the motor and the production pump. The pumping system further comprises an auxiliary pump disposed below the motor and an auxiliary adapter connected between the motor and the auxiliary pump.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for use in a gas separator includes a central hub and at least one blade affixed to the central hub. The blade includes a leading end, a trailing end, a first curved portion adjacent to the leading end and a second curved portion adjacent to the trailing end. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and second curved portions are substantially parabolic and have foci on opposite sides of the blade.

Abstract: A gas separator is configured to separate gas from a two-phase fluid. The gas separator includes a rotatable shaft, a plurality of separation stages and an outer housing. Each of the plurality of separation stages includes a rotor connected to the rotatable shaft, a diffuser downstream from the rotor and a crossover downstream from the diffuser. Each crossover is configured to remove gas from its respective separation stage. The outer housing includes a separate group of discharge ports for each separation stage to permit the removal of gas from each separation stage.

Abstract: A thrust section for use above a motor preferably includes a housing, a thrust shaft, a thrust runner connected to the thrust shaft, a thrust bearing connected to the housing, and a motor lead guard. The motor is preferably positioned above a pump assembly. The thrust runner and thrust bearing prevent upward movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A chamber for use in a submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly has a submersible motor which is connected to a power source and which will drive a submersible pump in the submersible pump assembly. A motor protector with expansion chamber is connected to the submersible motor. The expansion chamber and submersible motor are filled with motor oil. The expansion chamber has a housing and a reactant disposed in the housing interior for reacting with and reducing the concentration of contaminants present in the well fluid that are harmful to components of the motor protector.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump and a separator assembly. The separator assembly is for separating gas from the fluid and includes an intake and a vent above the intake. Fluid enters the separator assembly at the intake and the vent returns a portion of the fluid into wellbore for recirculation into the intake.

Abstract: A mechanical seal having a stationary ring and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a runner adjacent the stationary ring, an elastomer bellows adjacent the runner, a spring retainer plate and a spacer positioned between the elastomer bellows and the spring retainer plate. The spacer sets and maintains the elastomer bellows in proper position adjacent the runner.

Abstract: A well fluid homogenization device for use in a pumping system configured to recover fluids from a well includes a central hub and a plurality of posts extending from the central hub. The well fluid homogenization device is configured to rotate with a drive shaft to homogenize well fluid as the well fluid passes through a pumping system. The well fluid homogenization device is well-suited to be incorporated within gas separators and pump assemblies.

Abstract: A seal section for a downhole pumping system includes a fluid exchange pathway and a rotatable gravity separator. The rotatable gravity separator preferably includes a chamber, a backwash inlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway and a backwash outlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway. The rotatable gravity separator further includes a weight that causes the rotatable gravity separator to remain in a substantially constant orientation with respect to the force of gravity.

Abstract: A process for gathering data from a plurality of users at remote terminals connected to a central database that restricts the data entered into the central database by providing users with predefined responses to scripted prompts and screening the new data entered into the central database for erroneous responses by comparing the data with existing data through a series of rules. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention includes a process for gathering and analyzing information that includes maintaining a central database, accessing the central database from a remote terminal through an interface, entering information into the central database through the interface, validating the entered information against a set of rules and analyzing the validated information to generate performance indicators for the equipment placed into service. The interface preferably restricts the information entering the central database to a controlled group of responses to a series of scripted prompts.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for transmission of optical signals through a wellbore whereby optic fibers are protected from exposure to harsh downhole fluids and conditions. The system comprises a power cable assembly running down hole from the surface and comprising both electrical leads and at least one fiber-optic lead, an electric submersible motor apparatus having optic fibers and optic fiber leads as an integral part of the motor and internal to the motor casing, and a connection(s) between the optic fibers internal to the motor casing and downhole sensors and other equipment requiring optical communication.

Abstract: A system for determining the ability of a selected motor to function in a wellbore preferably includes an input device, a data storage device and a program. The program is preferably configured to determine an expected motor load based on motor input data and application input data. Using the expected motor load, the program determines a projected motor temperature increase. The program adds the projected motor temperature increase with the wellbore temperature to determine a projected operating temperature. The projected operating temperature is compared with the maximum recommended operating temperature of the selected motor, or a list of candidate motors, to determine the ability of the selected motor to function in the wellbore.

Abstract: A bailer is configured to remove particulate solids from fluid passing through the bailer. The bailer preferably includes a housing that includes an intake and an outlet to permit the flow if well fluids through the housing. The bailer also includes a magnetic plate that includes at least one aperture that provides a path for the fluid flow. The bailer optionally includes one or more elongate magnetic bars that extend along the longitudinal axis of the bailer housing. The bailer can be used in conjunction with other components in a downhole pumping system, a surface pumping system or a transport system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pump assembly for handling two-phase flow. The pump assembly preferably includes a housing and a first stage. The first stage includes an impeller assembly and a diffuser assembly, which are collectively configured to produce a diagonal flow path through the first stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bottom-intake pumping system that includes a pump assembly and a motor that drives the pump assembly with a driveshaft assembly. The bottom-intake pumping system includes a first thrust bearing that supports the driveshaft assembly on a first side of the pump assembly and a second thrust bearing that supports the driveshaft assembly on a second side of the pump assembly. The bottom-intake pumping system also includes a shroud assembly and a discharge pipe. The shroud assembly has a lower shroud hanger configured for rigid attachment at a selected location on the pump assembly, a shroud body connectable to the lower shroud hanger and an upper shroud hanger connectable to the shroud body. The upper shroud hanger is configured for sliding engagement with a discharge pipe.

Abstract: A seal section for a downhole pumping system includes a fluid exchange pathway and a rotatable gravity separator. The rotatable gravity separator preferably includes a chamber, a backwash inlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway and a backwash outlet connecting the chamber to the fluid exchange pathway. The rotatable gravity separator further includes a weight that causes the rotatable gravity separator to remain in a substantially constant orientation with respect to the force of gravity.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump assembly that is connected to a motor assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump intake having an intake hole, a pump housing connected to the pump intake and a pump discharge head connected to the pump housing. An intake seal device is connected to the pump intake and seals the pump intake prior to the initial use of the pump assembly. To further isolate the pump assembly while dormant, an outlet seal device can be fitted to the pump discharge head to isolate the pump assembly from the reservoir fluid in the production tubing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pumping system for pumping wellbore fluids. The submersible pumping system includes a motor assembly, a pump assembly connected to the motor assembly, and a shroud assembly attached to the pump assembly. The shroud assembly includes a shroud having a connection end and an intake end. The shroud assembly at least partially encloses the motor assembly and includes a sealing ring adjacent the shroud prevents the wellbore fluid from entering the shroud at the connection end. The shroud assembly also preferably includes a retaining ring that holds the sealing ring in place.