Abstract: A parallel gas separator apparatus and method used in an electric submersible pump (ESP) system includes two or more internal mechanical separation chambers which operate in parallel to significantly increase both the processing capacity of the gas separator and the liquid production rate of the ESP system.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly has pressure compensator features to avoid negative pressure at the top of the tool during installation. The submersible pump assembly has an electric motor contained within a lubricant filled motor chamber below a pump. A pressure compensator chamber is located below the motor chamber and separated by a partition. The pressure compensator chamber is also filled with lubricant. A passage bypasses the partition and leads to the motor chamber above the motor. A bellows is mounted in the pressure compensator chamber with its mouth facing upwardly. A port extends from the exterior of the pressure compensator chamber to the interior of the bellows for admitting well fluid. Also, the bellows may be filled with a heavy fluid during installation so as to retard contraction of the bellows if the tool is suddenly jerked to a stop. The bypass passage is not required in this embodiment.

Abstract: A submersible pump electrical motor has a bearing member that is resilient. The submersible pump motor has a stationary stator within which a rotor is rotated. The rotor is divided into sections, with bearings located between each section for maintaining the shaft in alignment. The bearings frictionally engage the stator wall. The bearing has slots extending through its periphery to provide flexibility. The slots incline into the direction of rotation of the shaft to resist rotation of the bearing member.

Abstract: A seal section for a submersible pump assembly has multiple seal chambers, each with an independent bellows. The seal section is located between the motor and the pump, and receives a shaft driven by the motor. At least one partition is located in the seal section, with the shaft sealingly passing through the partition. The partition divides the motor and seal sections into a primary chamber and at least one secondary chamber. A primary bellows is located in the primary chamber. The bellows is in contact with well fluid on one side and lubricant of the pump assembly on the other side for equalizing pressure. A secondary bellows is located in the seal section with one side in contact with the lubricant in the primary chamber and the other side in contact with the lubricant in the secondary chamber. The secondary bellows equalizes the pressures between the two chambers.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal for a submersible pump has features to prevent it from radial movement due to shaft misalignment. The seal includes an annular stationary face carried by the structure of the pump. A rotating seal member is carried by the shaft and urged into rotating contact with the stationary face. A guide member is mounted to the wall structure and has a portion that slidingly engages the rotating seal member to restrain the rotating seal member from radial movement. The rotating seal member is carried by the shaft independently of radial movement of the shaft.