APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING GAS INTAKE IN HORIZONTAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMP ASSEMBLIES

摘要

An apparatus, system and method for reducing gas intake in horizontal submersible pump assemblies are described. A horizontal electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping gaseous fluid comprises a multi-stage centrifugal pump, an electric motor operatively coupled to the centrifugal pump, and an intake section upstream of the pump comprising a tapered core further comprising a sloped outer surface extending between a downstream side and an upstream side, a first intake port for the intake of well fluid in an ESP assembly, the first intake port located on a top portion of the tapered core and proximate to the downstream side, a gravity-actuated closing member moveably attached on the sloped outer surface, wherein the gravity-actuated closing member closes the first intake port, and a second intake port located on a bottom portion of the tapered core, the second intake port open to the well fluid.

主权项

1. An intake section of an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly, the ESP assembly comprising a centrifugal pump and an electric motor, the ESP assembly arranged about horizontally in a well comprising gas laden fluid, the intake section comprising:
a tapered cylindrical core, wherein a slope of the tapered core extending from an upstream side to a downstream side is downward at a top portion and upward at a bottom portion;
at least two tracks circumferentially dispersed about the tapered core, wherein the at least two tracks extend lengthwise between the upstream side and the downstream side of the tapered core, and wherein the downstream side of each of the at least two tracks comprises an intake port, wherein the intake ports are fluidly coupled to a centrifugal pump; anda closing member moveably attached within each of the at least two tracks such that a particular intake port located on the top portion of the tapered core is blocked by the moveable closing member, and a particular intake port located on the bottom portion of the tapered core is open.