Abstract: A submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly comprises a motor comprising a first drive shaft; a seal section comprising a second drive shaft that is coupled to the first drive shaft of the motor; and a centrifugal pump assembly comprising a third drive shaft that is coupled to the second drive shaft of the seal section and a plurality of pump stages, wherein each pump stage comprises an impeller coupled to the third drive shaft and a diffuser retained by a housing of the centrifugal pump assembly, wherein the diffuser of each pump stage comprises a first plurality of vanes each having a first axial length and a second plurality of vanes each disposed between a pair of vanes of the first plurality of vanes and each having a second axial length, wherein the second axial length is less than the first axial length.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a centrifugal primary pump having a primary pump housing. An electrical motor is operatively coupled to the primary pump. An instrument sub has a housing secured by threaded fasteners to one end of the primary pump housing. A pump stage in the instrument sub housing is driven by the electric motor along with the primary pump, the pump stage including an impeller and a diffuser. A sensor within the instrument sub monitors parameters in the instrument sub. A sensor line port extends through a wall of the instrument sub housing. A sensor line extends sealingly through the sensor line port to the sensor for conveying sensed information from the sensor to a remote instrument panel.

Abstract: A submersible well pump assembly include a rotary pump driven by an electrical motor. A seal section operably connects between the motor and the pump for reducing a pressure differential between motor oil in the motor and well fluid surrounding the pump assembly. The pump assembly contains a sealed fluid. A sensor mounted to the well pump assembly detects contamination of the sealed fluid by well fluid encroaching into contact with the sealed fluid. The sensor may be mounted in the motor or the seal section to detect well fluid contamination of motor oil. The sensor may be mounted in a secondary pump that has that has temporary barriers to block the entry of well fluid into a buffer fluid contained in the secondary pump while the secondary pump is in a storage condition within a well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for installing an optical fiber in a downhole equipment system having multiple components that are installed in the field. Components such as sections of an ESP motor are assembled, forming a continuous sealed conduit that extends through the components. The conduit is sealed to prevent potentially damaging fluids from leaking into the conduit. After the conduit through the components is formed, an optical fiber is inserted into the conduit so that the fiber spans the connections between the components. The optical fiber may incorporate multiple sensors (e.g., fiber Bragg gratings) that can sense parameters such as temperature at multiple points in the different components. The passageways through the different components may have different diameters or tapered/chamfered edges to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber in the conduit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing a stator for use in downhole equipment such as ESP systems, where granulated filler material is used instead of encapsulants to provide mechanical support to the stator windings, provide electrical insulation in the stator slots, and conduct heat away from the windings. In one embodiment, a stator for an electric motor includes a plurality of laminations stacked together to form a stator core. Stator windings are positioned in slots within the stator core. The stator core and windings are installed in a stator housing, and a solid, granular filler material is used to fill an unoccupied volume within the slots. Retainer fittings are secured to the stator to retain the granulated filler material in the slots.

Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The system includes a groove extending along an outer surface of a housing of the pumping system assembly, and an optical sensing fiber mounted in the groove.

Abstract: A centrifugal pumping system having a stack of impellers and diffusers for pressurizing fluid. The impellers are rotated by a motor for pressurizing and lifting fluid from within a wellbore. Undulating profiles are provided on leading edges of the impellers for inducing turbulence in the fluid being pumped. Increasing turbulence better homogenizes the fluid, so that choked flow is avoided when different density components are present in the fluid. Reducing the possibility of choked flow increases pump efficiency and lift capacity.

Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The system includes a groove extending along an outer surface of a housing of the pumping system assembly, and an optical sensing fiber mounted in the groove.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a centrifugal primary pump having a primary pump housing. An electrical motor is operatively coupled to the primary pump. An instrument sub has a housing secured by threaded fasteners to one end of the primary pump housing. A pump stage in the instrument sub housing is driven by the electric motor along with the primary pump, the pump stage including an impeller and a diffuser. A sensor within the instrument sub monitors parameters in the instrument sub. A sensor line port extends through a wall of the instrument sub housing. A sensor line extends sealingly through the sensor line port to the sensor for conveying sensed information from the sensor to a remote instrument panel.

Abstract: Subsurface motors for use with electrical submersible pump which include one or more optic fiber sensors to detect operational parameters of the motor such as temperature, vibration and pressure. Optic fiber sensors are disposed a ally along a pathway within unsealed portions of the motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing a stator for use in downhole equipment such as ESP systems, where granulated filler material is used instead of encapsulants to provide mechanical support to the stator windings, provide electrical insulation in the stator slots, and conduct heat away from the windings. In one embodiment, a stator for an electric motor includes a plurality of laminations stacked together to form a stator core. Stator windings are positioned in slots within the stator core. The stator core and windings are installed in a stator housing, and a solid, granular filler material is used to fill an unoccupied volume within the slots. Retainer fittings are secured to the stator to retain the granulated filler material in the slots.

Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The alignment and linearity of the pump and motor can be crucial to run life of the pump and/or motor.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operating parameters for the pump section of an electrical submersible pump. The system includes an optic fiber associated with the pump section of an electrical submersible pump and having a sensor to detect at least one operating parameter within the pump section. The system also includes a signal analyzer operably associated with the optic fiber to receive an optical signal representative of the detected operating parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for installing an optical fiber in a downhole equipment system having multiple components that are installed in the field. Components such as sections of an ESP motor are assembled, forming a continuous sealed conduit that extends through the components. The conduit is sealed to prevent potentially damaging fluids from leaking into the conduit. After the conduit through the components is formed, an optical fiber is inserted into the conduit so that the fiber spans the connections between the components. The optical fiber may incorporate multiple sensors (e.g., fiber Bragg gratings) that can sense parameters such as temperature at multiple points in the different components. The passageways through the different components may have different diameters or tapered/chamfered edges to facilitate insertion of the optical fiber in the conduit.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a wellbore electrical submersible pump and includes an optic fiber detection arrangement wherein one or more optic fiber sensors is used to detect an operational parameter associated with the seal section. The operational parameters can include temperature, vibration and pressure.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting operational parameters associated with a gas separator used in an electric submersible pump in a wellbore. A fiber optic sensing arrangement is used to detect the operational parameter and includes a fiber optic signal processor and an optic fiber that is associated with the gas separator to provide a signal indicative of the parameter to the signal processor.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has alternating impellers and diffusers. One or more vent holes extend through one or more vanes of one or more diffusers. In an upthrust condition, high pressure production fluid from an upper impeller is able to pass through the one or more vent holes, and thereby exert force on the preceding impeller. The force exerted on the preceding impeller offsets the upthrust force acting against the preceding impeller.

Abstract: A seal section for use in a wellbore electrical submersible pump and includes an optic fiber detection arrangement wherein one or more optic fiber sensors is used to detect an operational parameter associated with the seal section. The operational parameters can include temperature, vibration and pressure.

Abstract: Subsurface motors for use with electrical submersible pump which include one or more optic fiber sensors to detect operational parameters of the motor such as temperature, vibration and pressure. Optic fiber sensors are disposed a ally along a pathway within unsealed portions of the motor.

Abstract: A motor assembly for a submersible pump which includes capability of detecting or monitoring one or more operating parameters for the motor, including temperature, pressure and strain.