Hydraulic Installation Method and Apparatus for Installing a Submersible Pump

摘要

Aspects of this invention include a method for deploying a small diameter submersible pump in a deviated wellbore. The submersible pump is first lowered into the production tubing under the influence of gravity. The pump includes a sealing member deployed thereabout which provides a releasable seal with an interior surface of the production tubing. The pump is then forced deeper into the production tubing (e.g., into a deviated section of the wellbore). This is accomplished via introducing a column of liquid (such as water) into the production tubing above the pump. The liquid exerts a force on the pump and sealing member so as to force the pump deeper into the well, thereby drawing one or more power lines into the wellbore with the pump. The invention advantageously enables a small diameter submersible pump to be economically deployed in a highly deviated wellbore. The invention also advantageously enables deployment into partially obstructed and/or damaged tubing.