Basic ESP Technology and Operation

ESP Downhole System Overview – Seal Section

SPH Chapter 6
 Seal Section Overview
 Is located between the pump and motor
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation
– Expansion
– Equalization
– Absorbs pump thrust load

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 Pump Motor

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 Pump

Motor

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 Pump

Transfers the torque

Motor
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 Seal Section Functions
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation

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 Pump

Isolates clean motor

Motor
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Labyrinth
Chamber
Labyrinth
Chamber
Double
Labyrinth
Chamber
The Seal Section, purpose:

1. Isolation
Isolates (seals) the clean motor oil from the well fluid
Isolation

Labyrinth Chamber
Isolation

Mechanical Seals

Prevents fluid migration down the seal shaft r

Labyrinth
Chamber

Motor
Pump

Bag
or
Bladder

Motor
Pump

Motor
Isolation
Bag (or Bladder)

r
Isolation - Recap

1. Labyrinth Chamber
2. Mechanical Seals
3. Bag (or Bladder)

r
 Seal Section Functions
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation: Isolates the well fluid from the clean motor oil
– Expansion

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Labyrinth
Chamber

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor Oil - Cooling

Motor
The Seal Section, purpose:

2. Expansion
Provides space for motor oil expansion
Expansion

Labyrinth Chamber
Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
 Check valve

Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
 Check valve

Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
 Check valve

Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
 Check valve

Bag (or Bladder)

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
 Motor Oil - Cooling

Motor
 Motor Oil - Cooling

Motor
Double Bags

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
Double Bags

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
Double Bags

Motor Oil - Heated

Motor
Expansion
Bag (or Bladder)

r
Expansion - Recap

1. Labyrinth Chamber
2. Bag (or Bladder)

r
 Seal Section Functions
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation: Isolates the well fluid from the clean motor oil
– Expansion: Provides area for motor oil expansion volume
– Equalization

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Motor
‘n’ thousand feet
 The Seal Section, purpose:

3. Equalization
Equals pressure between the outside casing
and inside the motor housing
Equalization

1. Labyrinth Chamber
2. Bag (or Bladder)

r
 Seal Section Functions
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation: Isolates the well fluid from the clean motor oil
– Expansion: Provides area for motor oil expansion volume
– Equalization: Equalizes the internal unit and wellbore
pressure
– “Absorbsion”

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Compression, Fixed Impeller, Pumps
Compression, Fixed Impeller, Pumps
Pump

Seal

Motor
Seal (Lower Chamber)

Motor
Seal (Lower Chamber) Upthrust Ring
Thrust Runner
Thrust Runner
Thrust Bearing Area Carbon Face

Bearing
Heat Exchange Area Bearing Retainer

Screen Filter

Motor
Seal Unit Base
Bearing Retainer
Oil Pump
Bearing
Carbon Face
Thrust Runner
Thrust Runner Carbon Face

Thrust Runner
Upthrust Bearing
Upthrust Bearing

Bearing Runner
Bearing Assembly Complete
The Seal Section, purpose:

4. Absorbs the thrust of the pump

Thrust Bearing
 Seal Section Functions
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions
– Isolation: Isolates the well fluid from the clean motor oil
– Expansion: Provides area for motor oil expansion volume
– Equalization: Equalizes the internal unit and wellbore pressure
– “Absorbsion”: Absorbs the pump shaft thrust load

 The Four “Shuns” - isolation, equalization, expansion, &

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 Seal Section Components - review
Major components are ...
 Mechanical Seals - prevents fluid migration down the seal
shaft
 Bag(s) or Bladder(s) - provides expansion volume and
isolation for clean motor oil
 Labyrinth Chamber(s) - provides expansion and isolation
volume in vertical or near vertical wells
 Thrust Bearing - carries the thrust load of the pump shaft
and stages (fixed impeller type only)

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Application Guidelines
 Use tandem seals in high pulling cost wells
– Seals are relatively low cost items as compared w/the total unit cost
– The more seal sections, the more mechanical seals and therefore,
increased shaft isolation
– Can be designed as a “Thrust on Lower” (TOL) which gives added
protection to the unit thrust bearing
 Use single or multiple bag seals in highly deviated wells
– The isolation capability of a labyrinth chamber is greatly reduced in
deviations beyond 30 - 45 degrees from vertical
 Match the seal and motor series, when in doubt
– Provides for maximum oil expansion / reservoir volume
 Seal Section Summary
 Is located between the pump and motor
 Transfers the motor torque to the pump shaft
 The Four Functions:
– Isolation, Expansion, Equalization, “Absorbsion”
 Components
 Application Guidelines

 Any Questions?

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