Patent Application
20250007186
Many oilfield operations utilize a permanent magnet motor (PMM) electric submersible pump (ESP) to pass through a wellhead. During these operations, it sometimes becomes necessary to shunt a cable. While a relatively straightforward process in other contexts, the unique circumstances and environmental factors of an oilfield, as well as the size and scale of the operations, complicate the requirements of both the cable being shunted and the shunting process itself.
Conventionally, an ESP cable is fed off a reel to a pump situated in a well. In such an arrangement, it is common practice to apply a shunt/ground to the end of the cable on the reel. If and when it becomes necessary to cut the cable from the reel (for example, in performing a cable-to-cable splice or connector termination at the packer and/or wellhead), any pre-installed shunt will be removed as one section of the cable is removed from the shunted section. Leaving the cable without a shunt could result in the personnel's handling of a live wire. Accordingly, it is important that the cable be properly shunted prior to cutting to avoid such risks.
That said, a conventional ESP cable is typically surrounded by armor to protect the more sensitive contents held within. As a result, conventional shunting techniques require considerable effort and tools to perform. Often these techniques involve grounding the armor and cutting into the cable before exposing the conductors and grounding them together. To perform this safely, those shunting the cable will need to wear the proper attire (including electrically-insulated/hot gloves) which only makes completing the task more difficult.
A shunting device in accordance with the present disclosure allows for a safer and more time-effective method of shunting an armored cable that may be performed in compliance with relevant safety guidelines (including the wearing of protective attire) while also eliminating the need for additional tools.
This description, with references to the figures, presents non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a shunting device capable of penetrating armored cables used, for example, in oil and gas operations. While this description may disclose embodiments that reference specific components or structures, it is not limited to such components or structures and includes any variations or modifications thereto that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill upon reading of this description.
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
Attachment body 100 may comprise a first portion 110 and a second portion 120 which may be pivotably engaged at a pivot point 121. This pivotable engagement may be achieved through use of a hinge pin disposed at pivot point 121. Both first portion 110 and second portion 120 may be substantially L-shaped. When so engaged, each portion of attachment body 100 effectively act as jaws which may close around cable 300. First portion 110 may also include a locking mechanism 111. As depicted in the drawings, locking mechanism 111 may be a spring pin that is received in a corresponding pin-receiving aperture formed into second portion 120. When locking mechanism 111 is engaged (for example, when the spring pin is inserted into and contained within the corresponding aperture), the jaws of attachment body 100 are effectively closed and locked. When locked, first portion 110 and second portion 120 define an opening 160 configured to contain cable 300.
To secure cable 300 within opening 160 of attachment body 100, cable attachment element 150 may be employed. Cable attachment element 150 may be inserted through an attachment aperture 140 formed into a first side of second portion 120. Cable attachment element 150 may comprise a contact end 151 positioned within opening 160 after cable attachment element 150 is inserted through attachment aperture 140. Contact end 151 is configured to make direct contact with cable 300. Cable attachment element 150 may also comprise a threaded portion 152 that may threadedly engage with a corresponding threaded portion of attachment aperture 140. Cable attachment element 150 may further comprise a rotator 153 (depicted as a rotating arm or bar) to facilitate adjustment of the threaded engaged between cable attachment element 150 and second portion 120 via attachment aperture 140. Cable attachment element 150 may be a clamp screw as depicted in the drawings.
Additionally, a shunting device in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure may comprise a plurality of piercing elements 200. In the depicted embodiments, three piercing elements (210, 220, and 230) are used. Each piercing element of the plurality of piercing elements 200 may be substantially identical in structure though arranged in different positions around attachment body 100. For purposes of this description, an exemplary piercing element will be discussed though reference labels will be provided as correspond to the discussed structures for each piercing element depicted in the drawings.
A piercing element of the plurality of piercing elements 200 may comprise a substantially cylindrical member having a contact end (211, 221, 231) that is pointed or otherwise sharpened to facilitate penetration of any armor or other covering material around cable 300 when cable 300 is secured within opening 160 of attachment body 100. Attachment body 100 may comprise a plurality of openings 130 wherein each opening (131, 132, 133) corresponds to one piercing element of the plurality of piercing elements 200. Each of the openings 300 may be disposed around the various sides of attachment body 100 on either the first portion 110 or second portion 120 as depicted in the drawings. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any changes to shape or composition of attachment body 100 (or of cable 300) may result in arranging the openings 300 in different positions than those depicted. A piercing element may be threadedly engaged via its corresponding opening via a threaded portion (212, 222, 232) of the piercing element and threading within the opening (131, 132, 133). A piercing element may additionally comprise a rotator (213, 223, 233) (depicted as a rotating arm or bar) to facilitate adjustment of the threaded engagement between the piercing element and attachment body 100 via the corresponding opening of the plurality of openings 130.
To facilitate shunting of cable 300, a shunting device in accordance with this disclosure may be installed and used as follows. For user safety, it is recommended that the shunting device be used in conjunction with a voltage detection device and a grounding lead. Additionally, safety glasses and hot gloves should be worn by those installing the shunting device.
As would be recognized by one of ordinary skill, the size of the shunting device may vary from use to use depending on the size of the cable to be shunted. Once an appropriately-sized shunting device has been selected, each of the piercing elements (210, 220, 230) should be retracted until their pointed ends (211, 212, 213) do not extend into opening 160. Attachment body 100 may then be opened by disengaging the locking mechanism 111.
Shown in
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Once all piercing elements have been installed, a grounding lead can optionally be attached to the shunting device or armor around cable 300. After this is completed, cable 300 has been shunted and is ready to be cut or otherwise separated from the reel.
