Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying a wellbore pressure based on a predicted pump intake loss. A pump intake pressure after an intake for a submersible pump deployed downhole in a wellbore is identified. An intake loss prediction model for identifying a virtual intake loss associated with the intake for the submersible pump as a function of one or more intake loss parameters is accessed. The virtual intake loss is identified by applying the intake loss prediction model based on intake loss prediction input of the one or more intake loss parameters. A pump intake pressure before the intake for the submersible pump is determined based on the virtual intake loss and the identified pump intake pressure after the intake.

Abstract: A method of lifting fluid by an electrical submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a wellbore. The method comprises positioning a first ESP component above the wellbore, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first drive shaft; positioning a second ESP component above the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second drive shaft; coupling a tethering assembly at a first end to an end of the first drive shaft proximate to the first flange; passing the tethering assembly through a coupling shell; coupling a second end of the tethering assembly to an end of the second drive shaft proximate to the second flange, wherein the tethering assembly is coupled slidingly to the first drive shaft or to the second drive shaft; coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft by the coupling shell; and coupling the first flange to the second flange.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises a first ESP component having a first drive shaft defining a plurality of male splines and defining at least one cut-out area; a second ESP component having a second drive shaft defining a plurality of male splines; a coupling shell defining a first plurality of female splines configured to mate with the male splines of the first drive shaft, a second plurality of female splines configured to mate with the male splines of the second drive shafts, and at least one shouldered aperture configured to align with the cut-out area of the first drive shaft; and at least one removable lug having a pin that is configured to extend through the shouldered aperture in the coupling shell to engage with the at least one cut-out area of the first drive shaft.

Abstract: A method of lifting fluid by an electrical submersible pump (ESP) assembly in a wellbore. The method comprises positioning a first ESP component above the wellbore, wherein the first ESP component comprises a first drive shaft; positioning a second ESP component above the first ESP component, wherein the second ESP component comprises a second drive shaft; coupling a tethering assembly at a first end to an end of the first drive shaft proximate to the first flange; passing the tethering assembly through a coupling shell; coupling a second end of the tethering assembly to an end of the second drive shaft proximate to the second flange, wherein the tethering assembly is coupled slidingly to the first drive shaft or to the second drive shaft; coupling the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft by the coupling shell; and coupling the first flange to the second flange.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises an inverted shroud separating a centrifugal ESP pump from a well casing, the ESP pump rotatably coupled to an ESP motor, the inverted shroud having an opening on an upstream terminal side, the upstream terminal side terminating at a head of the ESP motor, at least a portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening, the portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening exposed to formation fluid, and the opening sealed to the formation fluid at the head of the ESP motor tapered and wedged to the inverted shroud, wherein a centerline of the inverted shroud is offset from a centerline of the ESP motor.

Abstract: Provided in one example is a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump, according to this example, includes a shaft having an axial keyway located therein, as well as an axial key positioned within the axial keyway, the axial key having a recess located in a radial exterior surface thereof. The centrifugal pump according to this example additionally includes an impeller positioned on the shaft about the axial key, and a retaining ring positioned on the shaft about the axial key, a portion of the retaining ring extending into the recess for axially fixing the retaining ring relative to the axial key. The centrifugal pump according to this example further includes one or more fasteners attaching the retaining ring to the impeller, and a diffuser coupled about the shaft and proximate the impeller.

Abstract: A self-orienting gas evading intake for a submersible pump provides an efficient, reliable and inexpensive system for pumping a downhole fluid to a surface. An intake section of a submersible pumping system may comprise a blocker sleeve disposed between an external housing and an eccentric intake. The intake section may be self-orienting such that a gas component of the fluid ascends the borehole to separate from a liquid component of the fluid. Actuation of a blocker sleeve exposes one or more ports of the external housing while blocking one or more other ports. The liquid component is drawn into the intake section through an exposed port and through one or more openings of the eccentric intake. The liquid component may then be drawn into the pump. As the liquid component comprises non-detrimental amounts, if any, of a gas component, the pump operates efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: Provided in one example is a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump, according to this example, includes a shaft having an axial keyway located therein, as well as an axial key positioned within the axial keyway, the axial key having a recess located in a radial exterior surface thereof. The centrifugal pump according to this example additionally includes an impeller positioned on the shaft about the axial key, and a retaining ring positioned on the shaft about the axial key, a portion of the retaining ring extending into the recess for axially fixing the retaining ring relative to the axial key. The centrifugal pump according to this example further includes one or more fasteners attaching the retaining ring to the impeller, and a diffuser coupled about the shaft and proximate the impeller.

Abstract: A system includes a drive shaft and a diffuser positioned around the drive shaft to transmit a flow of fluid. The system also includes an impeller that is rotatable with the drive shaft to induce the flow of fluid through the diffuser. Additionally, the system includes a tapered thrust bearing positionable to receive a downhole force from a pumping stage. The tapered thrust bearing includes a flange sleeve positioned around the drive shaft. The flange sleeve includes a tapered mating surface. The tapered thrust bearing also includes a stationary bushing positioned around the flange sleeve. The stationary bushing includes a tapered receiving surface to receive the tapered mating surface of the flange sleeve.

Abstract: An electric pump may include a stack of diffusers including a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a recess therein defining an inner recess surface substantially circumscribing a primary diffuser axis. The second diffuser includes a lip projecting into the recess of the first diffuser. In response to a differential torque applied to the first and second diffusers about the primary diffuser axis, the lip of the second diffuser may engage the inner recess surface of the first diffuser, and thereby prevent relative rotation of the diffusers with respect to one another. An outer perimeter surface of the lip and the inner recess surface may define polygonal shapes or other non-circular profiles.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises an inverted shroud separating a centrifugal ESP pump from a well casing, the ESP pump rotatably coupled to an ESP motor, the inverted shroud having an opening on an upstream terminal side, the upstream terminal side terminating at a head of the ESP motor, at least a portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening, the portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening exposed to formation fluid, and the opening sealed to the formation fluid at the head of the ESP motor tapered and wedged to the inverted shroud, wherein a centerline of the inverted shroud is offset from a centerline of the ESP motor.

Abstract: A retaining ring anti-migration system and method. A retaining ring anti-migration system for a centrifugal pump shaft includes a pair of trap sleeves that enclose a pair of retaining rings, one retaining ring around each end of the shaft enclosed by one trap sleeve, the pair of retaining rings configured to bound axial migration of the shaft both upwards and downwards. A retaining ring anti-migration system includes a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft, a trap sleeve extending around the ESP shaft adjacent to the retaining ring, the trap sleeve including a sleeve body secured to the ESP shaft such that the trap sleeve rotates with the ESP shaft, and a jacket extending axially from the sleeve body over an outer diameter of the retaining ring with a clearance between the shaft and the jacket.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump comprising a fallback bearing protection system, the system comprising: locking member; boot pivotally connected to shaft of electrical submersible pump adjacent to locking member, wherein the boot comprises a sloped outer wall capable of forming a fluid boundary thereby diverting fallback fluid away from uppermost bearing of electrical submersible pump; ridge disposed on the sloped outer wall of the boot.

Abstract: A press-fit thrust bearing system and apparatus. A press-fit thrust bearing for an electric submersible pump includes a protruding band extending around a midsection of a bushing, the protruding band extending inward towards a drive shaft, outward towards a diffuser, or both. When extending outwardly, the band is press-fit into the diffuser to prevent dislodgment of the bushing. A non-rotating guide sleeve extends around the bushing above the protruding band, the guide sleeve interlocking with the protruding band to prevent rotation of the bushing. The guide sleeve includes a projection, the protruding band has a channel and the projection mates with the channel to form the interlock. A pair of flanged, rotatable bearing sleeves extend inwards of the single bushing and are keyed to the drive shaft. The top and bottom faces of the bushing serve as thrust handling surfaces.

Abstract: A self-orienting gas evading intake for a submersible pump provides an efficient, reliable and inexpensive system for pumping a downhole fluid to a surface. An intake section of a submersible pumping system may comprise a blocker sleeve disposed between an external housing and an eccentric intake. The intake section may be self-orienting such that a gas component of the fluid ascends the borehole to separate from a liquid component of the fluid. Actuation of a blocker sleeve exposes one or more ports of the external housing while blocking one or more other ports. The liquid component is drawn into the intake section through an exposed port and through one or more openings of the eccentric intake. The liquid component may then be drawn into the pump. As the liquid component comprises non-detrimental amounts, if any, of a gas component, the pump operates efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: An electric pump may include a stack of diffusers including a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a recess therein defining an inner recess surface substantially circumscribing a primary diffuser axis. The second diffuser includes a lip projecting into the recess of the first diffuser. In response to a differential torque applied to the first and second diffusers about the primary diffuser axis, the lip of the second diffuser may engage the inner recess surface of the first diffuser, and thereby prevent relative rotation of the diffusers with respect to one another. An outer perimeter surface of the lip and the inner recess surface may define polygonal shapes or other non-circular profiles.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump comprising a fallback bearing protection system, the system comprising: locking member; boot pivotally connected to shaft of electrical submersible pump adjacent to locking member, wherein the boot comprises a sloped outer wall capable of forming a fluid boundary thereby diverting fallback fluid away from uppermost bearing of electrical submersible pump; ridge disposed on the sloped outer wall of the boot.

Abstract: A retaining ring anti-migration system and method. A retaining ring anti-migration system for a centrifugal pump shaft includes a pair of trap sleeves that enclose a pair of retaining rings, one retaining ring around each end of the shaft enclosed by one trap sleeve, the pair of retaining rings configured to bound axial migration of the shaft both upwards and downwards. A retaining ring anti-migration system includes a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft, a trap sleeve extending around the ESP shaft adjacent to the retaining ring, the trap sleeve including a sleeve body secured to the ESP shaft such that the trap sleeve rotates with the ESP shaft, and a jacket extending axially from the sleeve body over an outer diameter of the retaining ring with a clearance between the shaft and the jacket.

Abstract: A press-fit thrust bearing system and apparatus. A press-fit thrust bearing for an electric submersible pump includes a protruding band extending around a midsection of a bushing, the protruding band extending inward towards a drive shaft, outward towards a diffuser, or both. When extending outwardly, the band is press-fit into the diffuser to prevent dislodgment of the bushing. A non-rotating guide sleeve extends around the bushing above the protruding band, the guide sleeve interlocking with the protruding band to prevent rotation of the bushing. The guide sleeve includes a projection, the protruding band has a channel and the projection mates with the channel to form the interlock. A pair of flanged, rotatable bearing sleeves extend inwards of the single bushing and are keyed to the drive shaft. The top and bottom faces of the bushing serve as thrust handling surfaces.

Abstract: A press-fit thrust bearing system and apparatus. A press-fit thrust bearing for an electric submersible pump includes a protruding band extending around a midsection of a bushing, the protruding band extending inward towards a drive shaft, outward towards a diffuser, or both. When extending outwardly, the band is press-fit into the diffuser to prevent dislodgment of the bushing. A non-rotating guide sleeve extends around the bushing above the protruding band, the guide sleeve interlocking with the protruding band to prevent rotation of the bushing. The guide sleeve includes a projection, the protruding band has a channel and the projection mates with the channel to form the interlock. A pair of flanged, rotatable bearing sleeves extend inwards of the single bushing and are keyed to the drive shaft. The top and bottom faces of the bushing serve as thrust handling surfaces.