Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump assembly includes a pump driven by an electrical motor. A string of tubing connects to the well pump assembly and extends to an upper end of a well. A power cable installed in the tubing has three insulated electrical conductors embedded within an elastomeric jacket. A metal strip has turns wrapped helically around the jacket. The metal strip is compressed between the jacket and the tubing to cause the power cable to frictionally grip the tubing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cable deployment of downhole equipment, wherein the conductors of a power cable bear the load of the downhole equipment and jewelry, as well as the cable itself. The power cable includes a set of elongated conductors, an upper coupling and a lower coupling. The upper support coupling suspends each of the conductors from the support structure and electrically couples the conductors to a power source. The lower coupling suspends the downhole electrical equipment from the conductors and electrically couples the conductors to the downhole equipment. One embodiment uses 7075 T-6 aluminum conductors to provide a length of at least 10,000 feet, a yield stress of at least 50,000 psi and a resistance of less than 0.2 ohm/kf. The aluminum conductors are homogeneous and are non-reactive with hydrogen sulfide, so no lead sheathing is required.

Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump assembly includes a pump driven by an electrical motor. A string of tubing connects to the well pump assembly and extends to an upper end of a well. A power cable installed in the tubing has three insulated electrical conductors embedded within an elastomeric jacket. A metal strip has turns wrapped helically around the jacket. The metal strip is compressed between the jacket and the tubing to cause the power cable to frictionally grip the tubing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cable deployment of downhole equipment, wherein the conductors of a power cable bear the load of the downhole equipment and jewelry, as well as the cable itself. The power cable includes a set of elongated conductors, an upper coupling and a lower coupling. The upper support coupling suspends each of the conductors from the support structure and electrically couples the conductors to a power source. The lower coupling suspends the downhole electrical equipment from the conductors and electrically couples the conductors to the downhole equipment. One embodiment uses 7075 T-6 aluminum conductors to provide a length of at least 10,000 feet, a yield stress of at least 50,000 psi and a resistance of less than 0.2 ohm/kf. The aluminum conductors are homogeneous and are non-reactive with hydrogen sulfide, so no lead sheathing is required.

Abstract: A method of deploying a downhole article comprising a shape memory material, the shape memory material comprising a nanoparticle having greater thermal conductivity than an identical shape memory material but without the nanoparticle; the method comprising heating the article while in a compacted state to change the article to a non-compacted state. A method of deploying the downhole article where the article is a packer element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of deploying a downhole article comprising a shape memory material, the shape memory material comprising a nanoparticle having greater thermal conductivity than an identical shape memory material but without the nanoparticle; the method comprising heating the article while in a compacted state to change the article to a non-compacted state. A method of deploying the downhole article where the article is a packer element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cable for transmitting electricity for use with an electric submersible pump has a plurality of conductors for conducting electricity along the length of the cable. A first layer of insulation surrounds each of the conductors. A jacket, or second layer of insulation, surrounds all of the conductors and the first layer of insulation. Both the first layer of insulation and the jacket insulation are comprised of an polymeric compound. At least one of the insulation layers has filler material dispersed therein, the filler material having a higher level of thermal conductivity than the insulation layer it is contained in.

Abstract: A cable for transmitting electricity for use with an electric submersible pump has a plurality of conductors for conducting electricity along the length of the cable. A first layer of insulation surrounds each of the conductors. A jacket, or second layer of insulation, surrounds all of the conductors and the first layer of insulation. Both the first layer of insulation and the jacket insulation are comprised of an polymeric compound. At least one of the insulation layers has filler material dispersed therein, the filler material having a higher level of thermal conductivity than the insulation layer it is contained in.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole that includes a housing containing an expandable fluid, that when expanded pushes a piston that in turn pumps wellbore fluid to the surface. The expandable fluid can be a silicon based heat transfer fluid with a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least about 0.0005 in3/in3/° F. The expandable fluid is expanded upon exposure to heat. A heat source is selectively activated for expanding the fluid.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole that includes a housing containing an expandable fluid, that when expanded pushes a piston that in turn pumps wellbore fluid to the surface. The expandable fluid can be a silicon based heat transfer fluid with a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least about 0.0005 in3/in3/° F. The expandable fluid is expanded upon exposure to heat. A heat source is selectively activated for expanding the fluid.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use downhole, wherein the system includes a pump, an inlet section for receiving fluid, a pump motor, and heat transfer fins on the motor housing. The fins increase the heat transfer area of the motor thereby providing enhanced cooling of the motor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess maybe formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess maybe formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess may be formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.

Abstract: A method of heating gas being produced in a well reduces condensate occurring in the well. A cable assembly having at least one insulated conductor is deployed into the well while the well is still live. Electrical power is applied to the conductor to cause heat to be generated. Gas is allowed up past the cable assembly and out the wellhead. The heat retards condensation, which creates frictional losses in the gas flow.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly has a release adapter on a string of coiled tubing. Power cables and a hydraulic capillary tube extend through the coiled tubing to the release adapter where each terminates at a coupling. The release adapter has a locking mechanism that is located in a chamber adjacent to a fishing neck at the upper end of the pump. The locking mechanism has a collet that is latched to the fishing neck. A piston captures the collet against the neck, and is restrained from movement by shear pins. The locking mechanism is actuated from the surface by pumping hydraulic fluid down through the capillary tube to the chamber to stroke the piston downward and shear the pins. When the piston moves, the lower end of the collet releases the fishing neck and is free to be retracted axially upward into the wellbore toward the surface. As the coiled tubing lifts the release adapter away from the fishing neck, tension develops in the wires and tubing until those components detach from their respective couplings.

Abstract: A method for retarding temperature loss of fluid being produced in a well employs a fluid of low thermal conductivity in the tubing annulus. The tubing annulus extends between the production casing and the production tubing. It extends from a packer at the lower end of the tubing annulus to a wellhead. The fluid in one case is low density gas created by a partial vacuum. A vacuum is drawn on the tubing annulus to reduce the air density, which in turn reduces the amount of heat that convection currents can carry. In another example, the tubing annulus fluid is viscous hydrocarbon liquid. The hydrocarbon liquid also has a low thermal conductivity. Heat is supplied to the fluids being produced through the tubing annulus by a heater cable that extends into the well.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess may be formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.

Abstract: A method for retarding temperature loss of fluid being produced in a well employs a fluid of low thermal conductivity in the tubing annulus. The tubing annulus extends between the production casing and the production tubing. It extends from a packer at the lower end of the tubing annulus to a wellhead. The fluid in one case is low density gas created by a partial vacuum. A vacuum is drawn on the tubing annulus to reduce the air density, which in turn reduces the amount of heat that convection currents can carry. In another example, the tubing annulus fluid is viscous hydrocarbon liquid. The hydrocarbon liquid also has a low thermal conductivity. Heat is supplied to the fluids being produced through the tubing annulus by a heater cable that extends into the well.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump is provided having a pothead connector for use to connect a downhole cable to an electric motor of the submersible pump. The pothead connector has a tubular housing having an upper and a lower end. The downhole cable has electrical conductors which are separately covered by insulation layers. Lead sheaths separately extend around each of the insulation layers to encase each of the electrical conductors. The downhole cable extends through the rearward end and into the tubular housing, and then is electrical connected to the electric motor through the lower end of the tubular housing. An insulating block is provided in the lower end of the tubular housing for separating electrical conductors in alignment for mating with a connector mounted to the electric motor. A conductor pin is secured to the insulating block and to each of the conductors. The conductor pin abuts against an internal shoulder within a bore of the insulating block.