Abstract: A power line for an electrical submersible pump has three metallic impermeable tubes. A single electrical conductor is located within each of the tubes. Each conductor has at least one elastomeric insulation layer surrounding it. An annular portion of the insulation layer of each of the electrical conductors is in tight contact with the tube to form a seal. The annular portions may be annular crimps formed in the tube at intervals. The annular portion could also be a continuous seal caused by swelling of the insulation layer due to contact with a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical power to a well pump motor has cable and motor connector portions that mate with each other in a connected position. The connector portions have insulating members, each of which has a number of passages and an end face. Electrical contact members are mounted in each of the passages. The ones in the cable connector portion protrude past the end face of the insulating member. An end face seal surrounds each of the protruding contact members and is deformed by engagement of the end face of the motor insulating member when the cable and motor connector portions are in the connected position.

Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical power to a well pump motor has cable and motor connector portions that mate with each other in a connected position. The connector portions have insulating members, each of which has a number of passages and an end face. Electrical contact members are mounted in each of the passages. The ones in the cable connector portion protrude past the end face of the insulating member. An end face seal surrounds each of the protruding contact members and is deformed by engagement of the end face of the motor insulating member when the cable and motor connector portions are in the connected position.

Abstract: A gas dissipation chamber, installed between the tubing crossover and the production tubing string, for a through tubing conveyed ESP pumping system prevents gas discharged from the gas separator from entering the pump intake and subsequently gas locking the pumping system. The gas dissipation chamber secures to a lower end of production tubing. An electrical motor assembly is suspended on the lower end of the chamber. The gas separator and the pump are lowered through the tubing and land in the chamber in operative engagement with the motor assembly. Well fluid flows into the chamber to the separator, and gas separated by the separator vents out of the chamber into the casing. Liquid separated from the well fluid by the separator is pumped by the pump into the production tubing.

Abstract: A gas dissipation chamber, installed between the tubing crossover and the production tubing string, for a through tubing conveyed ESP pumping system prevents gas discharged from the gas separator from entering the pump intake and subsequently gas locking the pumping system. The gas dissipation chamber secures to a lower end of production tubing. An electrical motor assembly is suspended on the lower end of the chamber. The gas separator and the pump are lowered through the tubing and land in the chamber in operative engagement with the motor assembly. Well fluid flows into the chamber to the separator, and gas separated by the separator vents out of the chamber into the casing. Liquid separated from the well fluid by the separator is pumped by the pump into the production tubing.

Abstract: A method for installing a submersible pump assembly that allows deployment in a live well under pressure. In some of the embodiments, a pressure barrier is installed in the well lower than a length of the submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly is lowered on a line into the chamber, then a lubricator at the surface seals around the line by allowing the pressure barrier to be released and the submersible pump assembly to be lowered into the well to a desired depth. Preferably, there is a lower pressure barrier in the well. The upper pressure barrier may be a packer that may be collapsed and retrieved alongside the submersible pump assembly. The pressure barrier also may be a packer that is temporarily set in the well, then engaged by the submersible pump assembly, with the pump assembly and packer then being lowered as a unit to a further depth in the well.

Abstract: A submersible pump assembly suspended on a string of tubing in a well has a valve that drains the tubing above the pump when the pump shuts down. The valve includes a valve housing installed with the tubing string above the submersible pump assembly. The valve housing has an interior in communication with fluid in the string of tubing above the valve housing, and a shunt port communicating the interior of the valve housing with an annulus surrounding the string of tubing. A valve cage is slidably received within the valve housing for movement between upper and lower positions. The valve cage blocks communication through the shunt port while in the upper position, and while in the lower position, opens the shunt port. A valve seat is located in the valve cage, and a valve member moves between a lower position, sealingly engaging the valve seat, and an upper position, allowing flow through the valve seat from the pump to the tubing string.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has an electric motor that is secured to a lower end of a string of production tubing. The motor is powered by a power cable that extends alongside the tubing to the surface. The motor has an upper end with a drive shaft coupling. The pump for the motor is lowered through the production tubing on a wireline, wire rope or coiled tubing. The pump has a lower end which has a driven shaft coupling that makes up in stabbing engagement with the drive shaft coupling when the pump reaches the motor. The driven shaft coupling includes a guide which slides into a coupling housing. Orientating keys orient the guide and lock it from rotation.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump housing is secured to the lower end of a string of tubing. A motor is secured to the progressive cavity housing. An electrical power cable is strapped to the motor alongside the tubing. The pump has a pump rotor located within a stator. The pump rotor has a driven shaft extending downward from its lower end which mates with a drive shaft extending upward from the motor. When the pump reaches the motor, the driven shaft will stab into the drive shaft. The upper end of the pump rotor extends above the stator and is configured to engage an overshot retrieval tool. To retrieve the rotor, the operator lowers an overshot retrieval tool through the production tubing and latches it to the upper end of the pump rotor. The operator pulls the rotor out of the pump, thereby disengaging the rotor from the drive shaft of the motor, and leaving the remainder of the pump and the motor in place.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has an electric motor that is secured to a lower end of a string of production tubing. The motor is powered by a power cable that extends alongside the tubing to the surface. The motor has an upper end with a drive shaft coupling. The pump for the motor is lowered through the production tubing on a wireline, wire rope or coiled tubing. The pump has a lower end which has a driven shaft coupling that makes up in stabbing engagement with the drive shaft coupling when the pump reaches the motor. The driven shaft coupling includes a guide which slides into a coupling housing. Orientating keys orient the guide and lock it from rotation.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has a pressure relief valve in the tubing string for avoiding excessive discharge pressure on a progressing cavity pump. The pressure relief valve is mounted in the string of tubing downstream of the pump. The valve assembly has a main flow passage through it for fluid being pumped by the pump through the tubing. The valve assembly has a valve seat and a spring-biased valve element which is urged by the spring against the downstream end of the valve seat to maintain the valve seat closed. The upstream end of the valve seat is in communication with the pressure in the tubing. If the tubing pressure exceeds a selected level, the valve element moves to an open position, discharging well fluid into the casing.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump is located in a well and driven by a downhole electrical motor. A connector locates between the drive shaft of the motor and the rotor of the pump. The connector includes a connector shaft which has a lower end restrained on a longitudinal axis. The upper end orbits with the lower end of the rotor. The connector shaft has splined ends that are received in couplings. The connector shaft flexes during the orbiting movement.

Abstract: A progressive cavity pump located in a well and driven by a downhole electrical motor. A connector locates between the drive shaft of the motor and the rotor of the pump. The connector includes a connector shaft which has a lower end restrained on a longitudinal axis. The upper end orbits with the lower end of the rotor. The connector shaft has splined ends that are received in couplings. The connector shaft flexes during the orbiting movement.