Abstract: Electric submersible pump systems, and more particularly, seals for ESPs, are provided. An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of impellers; a plurality of diffusers; at least one sealing ring positioned axially between two consecutive diffusers of the plurality of diffusers; and at least one O-ring positioned axially between the at least one sealing ring and a lower of the two consecutive diffusers.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. An upthrust washer can be disposed axially between an impeller and its associated diffuser at or near a tip of the impeller, and the gap between the impeller tip and diffuser can define the end play or axial clearance for the pump. If the upthrust washer wears away, upthrust rubbing occurs at the impeller tip instead of proximate the pump shaft to advantageously help protect the shaft from damage or failure related to heat. In some ESPs, an upthrust bearing assembly can be located at the pump head. A downthrust washer can be disposed in an upstream facing groove of the impeller. The downthrust washer can have a thickness greater than 0.10 in.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. An upthrust washer can be disposed axially between an impeller and its associated diffuser at or near a tip of the impeller, and the gap between the impeller tip and diffuser can define the end play or axial clearance for the pump. If the upthrust washer wears away, upthrust rubbing occurs at the impeller tip instead of proximate the pump shaft to advantageously help protect the shaft from damage or failure related to heat. In some ESPs, an upthrust bearing assembly can be located at the pump head. A downthrust washer can be disposed in an upstream facing groove of the impeller. The downthrust washer can have a thickness greater than 0.10 in.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate pumping of various fluids such as well fluids. An electric submersible pumping system is constructed with an outer housing that contains an integrated pump and motor. The pump may include an impeller disposed within a stator of the motor. The integration of the pump and the motor enables elimination of various components of traditional electric submersible pumping systems to thus provide a simpler and more compact system for pumping fluids.

Abstract: A technique facilitates placement of a pumping system, e.g. an electric submersible pumping system, in a borehole. The pumping system is deployed downhole into the borehole via a conveyance which may be in the form of an electric power cable for providing electric power to the pumping system. A measuring device is disposed between the conveyance and the pumping system and connects the pumping system to the conveyance. The measuring device detects engagement of the pumping system with downhole equipment by monitoring a selected property, e.g. load on the conveyance.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump stage with increased compressive load capacity is provided. In an implementation, a centrifugal pump stage includes a diffuser with outside wall capable of supporting increased axial forces. A mating surface of the outer wall can support axial forces generated by a stack of subsequent pump stages across the entire thickness of the outer wall. The diffuser can be a two-piece assembly including a load bearing module and a flow diffusing module. The load bearing module may be a cylinder of strong tubular alloy while the flow diffusing module can be separately cast in a manner that improves hydraulic efficiency. Various means for radially positioning the pump stages relieve the load bearing module from the task of aligning additional pump stages. A single rigid tube may also be used as the load bearing module for multiple pump stages. The tube may be made with a thin wall to increase pump volume.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump stage with increased compressive load capacity is provided. In an implementation, a centrifugal pump stage includes a diffuser with outside wall capable of supporting increased axial forces. A mating surface of the outer wall can support axial forces generated by a stack of subsequent pump stages across the entire thickness of the outer wall. The diffuser can be a two-piece assembly including a load bearing module and a flow diffusing module. The load bearing module may be a cylinder of strong tubular alloy while the flow diffusing module can be separately cast in a manner that improves hydraulic efficiency. Various means for radially positioning the pump stages relieve the load bearing module from the task of aligning additional pump stages. A single rigid tube may also be used as the load bearing module for multiple pump stages. The tube may be made with a thin wall to increase pump volume.