Transmitting power within a wellbore

摘要

A system for applying power into a wellbore. The system can include a casing, a tubing string, a first and second isolator sub, a power source, and an electrical device. The casing has a first cavity running therethrough. The tubing string is disposed within the first cavity without contacting the casing, where the tubing string has a second cavity running therethrough. The first isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The power source is electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub. The second isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The electrical device is electrically coupled to a bottom end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string.

主权项

1. A system for applying power into a wellbore within a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
a tubing string comprising a plurality of electrically conductive tubing pipes mechanically coupled end-to-end, wherein the tubing string comprises a top neutral section positioned proximate to an entry point of the wellbore and a power-transmitting section positioned below the top neutral section in the wellbore, and wherein the tubing string has a first cavity running therethrough; a first isolator sub mechanically coupled to and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string, wherein the first isolator sub has the first cavity running therethrough, wherein the first isolator sub electrically separates the top neutral section from the power-transmitting section, and wherein the first isolator sub is configured to isolate direct current (DC) power and alternating current (AC) power from the top neutral section; a second isolator sub mechanically coupled to the tubing string, wherein the tubing string further comprises a bottom neutral section positioned toward a distal end of the wellbore, wherein the second isolator sub is positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string, wherein the second isolator sub has the first cavity running therethrough, wherein the second isolator sub electrically separates the bottom neutral section from the power-transmitting section, and wherein the second isolator sub is configured to isolate the DC power and the AC power from the bottom neutral section; a power source positioned above the entry point and electrically coupled to a top end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub; and an electrical device disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string above the second isolator sub.