Side-Exit Motor Cable Connections

摘要

Systems and methods for connecting power cables to downhole equipment such as ESPs using side-exit (radial) connections. In one embodiment, a system includes an electric drive coupled by a power cable to an ESP. The electric drive is positioned at the surface of a well with the power cable coupled to it. The power cable extends into the well bore and is coupled to the downhole equipment which is positioned in the well bore. The power cable has a connector with a first set of radially oriented terminals (the terminals are perpendicular to the conductors of the power cable). These terminals engage a second set of terminals that are installed in the downhole equipment. The radial orientation of the terminals of the connector and downhole equipment allow the power cable to remain axially oriented, thereby facilitating engagement of the terminals and requiring less annular space in the well bore.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
an electric drive positioned at the surface of a well; a power cable coupled to the electric drive and extending into a well bore of the well; and a piece of downhole equipment positioned in the well bore and coupled to the power cable, wherein power from the electric drive is supplied to the downhole equipment; wherein the power cable is coupled to the downhole equipment by a connector having a first set of terminals that engage a second set of terminals in the downhole equipment; wherein the power cable is axially oriented in the well bore and wherein at least one of the first and second sets of terminals extends radially between the connector and the downhole equipment.