Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6250390
-
Patent Number
6,250,390
-
Date Filed
Monday, January 4, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 26, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Fletcher, Yoder & Van Someren
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 166 313
- 166 369
- 166 105
- 166 106
- 166 664
- 166 541
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dual submergible pumping system permits pumping of fluids from separate zones within a narrowly confined wellbore without commingling of fluids. The system includes a single deployment tubing from which a first and second submergible pumping system are suspended. The system further includes a fluid transport system having one fluid flow path defined by the hollow interior of the deployment tubing and a second fluid flow path isolated from the first flow path.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to systems for raising fluids from wells, and particularly to a dual submergible pumping system for use in a narrowly confined wellbore to produce fluids from separate reservoirs without commingling of the fluids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In producing petroleum and other useful fluids from production wells, it is generally known to provide a submergible pumping system for raising the fluids collected in a well. Production fluids enter a wellbore via perforations formed in a well casing adjacent a production formation. Fluids contained in the formation collect in the wellbore and may be raised by the submergible pumping system to another zone or to a collection point above the surface of the earth.
In an exemplary submergible pumping system, the system includes several components, such as a submergible pump, a submergible electric motor and a motor protector. The submergible electric motor typically supplies power to the submergible pump by a drive shaft, and the motor protector serves to isolate the internal motor oil from the well fluids. A deployment system, such as deployment tubing in the form of coiled tubing or production tubing, is used to deploy the submergible pumping system within a wellbore. Generally, power is supplied to the submergible electric motor or motors by one or more power cables supported along the deployment system.
Some wells have the capability of producing from two or more zones or reservoirs. However, because of constraints such as incompatibility of fluids, differential pressures in the reservoirs, and other constraints, it is sometimes undesirable to commingle the fluids produced from separate production zones.
Production from the separate zones or reservoirs can be accomplished by running separate submergible pumping systems deployed on separate tubing strings. This can be problematic in certain applications, however, due to space constraints. In other words, the wellbore must be of substantial diameter to accommodate two separate systems. Many of the common or standard wellbore diameters do not readily accommodate the use of independently deployed submergible pumping systems.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have a dual submergible pumping system that could be deployed on a single tubing deployment system within a narrowly confined wellbore. It would also be advantageous to utilize separate fluid flow paths to prevent commingling of fluids pumped from the separate zones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features a pumping system for use in a wellbore. The system comprises a deployment tubing, a first submergible pumping system suspended from the deployment tubing and a second submergible pumping system suspended from the deployment tubing. Additionally, the system includes a fluid transport having a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path separated from the first fluid flow path. The first submergible pumping system is connected to the fluid transport such that fluid may be discharged into the first fluid flow path, and the second submergible pumping system is connected to the fluid transport such that fluid may be discharged into the second fluid flow path.
According to another aspect of the invention, a dual electric submergible pumping system is provided for interaction with at least two separate zones within a wellbore. The system includes a single deployment tubing having a hollow interior through which a fluid may be pumped. Additionally, a dual submergible pumping system is suspended from the single deployment tubing. The dual pumping system has a first submergible pump connected to a first pump intake disposed in a first zone as well as a second submergible pump connected to a second pump intake disposed in a second zone. The dual system also includes an alternate fluid transport. The first submergible pump is disposed in fluid communication with the hollow interior, while the second submergible pump is disposed in fluid communication with the alternate fluid transport.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for pumping fluids from a pair of zones within a narrowly confined wellbore without commingling the fluids pumped from the individual zones. The method includes separating a first wellbore zone from a second wellbore zone by a packer. The method further comprises suspending a first and a second pump from a deployment tubing having a hollow interior, and drawing fluid into the first pump from the first wellbore zone while drawing fluid into the second pump from the second wellbore zone. Additionally, the method includes pumping fluid from the first pump along a first fluid flow path within the hollow interior, and pumping fluid from the second pump along a second fluid flow path isolated from the first fluid path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:
FIG. 1
is a front elevational view of a dual submergible pumping system positioned in a wellbore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system illustrated in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system illustrated in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
5
—
5
of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
6
—
6
of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7
is front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the system illustrated in
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 8
is another alternate embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system illustrated in FIG.
1
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring generally to
FIG. 1
, a dual submergible pumping system
10
is illustrated according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System
10
may comprise a variety of components depending on the particular application or environment in which it is used. However, system
10
typically includes a first submergible pumping system
12
and a second submergible pumping system
14
. First submergible pumping system
12
and second submergible pumping system
14
are deployed from a single deployment system
16
, such as deployment tubing
18
, e.g. production tubing or coiled tubing.
System
10
is designed for deployment in a well
20
within a geological formation
22
containing desirable production fluids, such as petroleum. Typically, a wellbore
24
is drilled into geological formation
22
and lined with a wellbore casing
26
.
In the embodiment illustrated, system
10
is utilized to pump fluids from different zones, specifically a first zone or reservoir
28
and a second zone or reservoir
30
. In this exemplary embodiment, first zone
28
is vertically above second zone
30
along wellbore
24
. Furthermore, a first set of perforations
32
is disposed through wellbore casing
26
to permit a fluid to flow into wellbore
24
at first zone
28
. Similarly, a second set of perforations
34
is formed through wellbore casing
26
to permit a fluid to flow into wellbore
24
at second zone
30
. The overall system
10
is designed to transport or move the fluid flowing into wellbore
24
at first zone
28
without commingling that fluid with the fluid flowing into wellbore
24
at second zone
30
. Thus, fluid from first zone
28
and fluid from second zone
30
can be transported, e.g. pumped to the surface of the earth, independently of each other.
As illustrated, an upper Y-tool
36
is connected to the lower end of deployment tubing
18
. Upper Y-tool
36
splits into a first channel
38
from which first submergible pumping system
12
is suspended, and a second channel
40
from which second submergible pumping system
14
is suspended. Second channel
40
is routed along the side of first submergible pumping system
12
, through first zone
28
and into second zone
30
, where it is coupled to second submergible pumping system
14
. First channel
38
is plugged by a plug
44
and includes a perforated discharge joint
46
disposed between plug
44
and first submergible pumping system
12
.
In operation, second submergible pumping system
14
draws fluid from second zone
30
and discharges it into second channel
40
so that the fluid may be transported along a fluid flow path
48
defined by second channel
40
and deployment tubing
18
. Specifically, deployment tubing
18
includes a hollow interior
50
through which the fluid from second zone
30
is pumped.
Simultaneously, first submergible pumping system
12
draws a fluid from first zone
28
and discharges it through perforated discharge joint
46
into wellbore
24
and, specifically, into the annulus formed about deployment system
16
. Thus, the fluid from first zone
28
may be pumped along a fluid flow path
52
completely isolated from fluid flow path
48
.
Often, it is desirable to minimize the exposure of wellbore casing
26
to produced fluid. Accordingly, a flow liner
54
may be deployed along the interior of wellbore casing
26
to isolate at least a substantial portion of wellbore casing
26
from the produced fluid. Typically, flow liner
54
is held in place along wellbore casing
26
by a packer
56
having an appropriate opening
58
through which fluid may flow along fluid flow path
52
. In this arrangement, a fluid transport is formed in an annulus
60
disposed between flow liner
54
and deployment system
16
.
Submergible pumping systems
12
and
14
may include a variety of components, depending on the specific environment in which dual submergible pumping system
10
is deployed. However, an exemplary first submergible pumping system
12
includes an electric motor
62
, a motor protector
64
, a pump intake
66
, a submergible pump
68
and a connector
70
by which the pumping system is connected to first channel
38
. Similarly, an exemplary second submergible pumping system
14
includes a submergible electric motor
72
, a motor protector
74
, a pump intake
76
, a submergible pump
78
and a connector
80
by which the system is connected to second channel
40
. Additionally, a first power cable
82
supplies electric power to motor
62
and a second power cable
84
supplies electric power to motor
72
. It should be noted that the submergible pumping system components are diagrammatically illustrated in a compressed form.
Other exemplary features of dual submergible pumping system
10
include an intermediate multiple bore packer
86
that separates first zone
28
from second zone
30
. Packer
86
includes an opening
88
through which second channel
40
extends and an opening
90
through which power cable
84
extends to second submergible pumping system
14
.
Additionally, an upper packer
92
is disposed intermediate first submergible pumping system
12
and perforated discharge joint
46
to prevent fluid moving along fluid flow path
52
from settling back into first zone
28
. Upper packer
92
includes an opening
94
, through which first channel
38
extends, and an opening
96
, through which second channel
40
extends. Also, upper packer
92
preferably includes a collar
98
through which individual conductors
100
of power cables
82
and
84
extend, as best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
2
. Collar
98
may also accommodate a fluid injection tube
101
, through which chemicals, such as corrosion inhibitors, may be injected.
Optionally, a permanent packer
102
may be used at a position beneath submergible pumping system
14
. If packer
102
is utilized, second channel
40
preferably includes second Y-tool
103
. Y-tool
103
comprises a first branch
104
coupled to second submergible pumping system
14
to complete fluid flow path
48
. Also, Y-tool
103
includes a second branch
106
that is used as a seating tube against permanent packer
102
. Second branch
106
is plugged by an appropriate plug
108
.
In the illustrated embodiment, first zone
28
is isolated between upper packer
92
and intermediate packer
86
. Similarly, second zone
30
is isolated between intermediate packer
86
and permanent packer
102
. With this arrangement, not only can fluids be independently pumped from first zone
28
and second zone
30
, but fluid also may be injected. For example, a fluid can be pumped from zone
28
while another fluid is injected into zone
30
and vice versa. Also, independent pressurized fluids could be injected into both zones
28
and
30
.
In the illustrated embodiment, first submergible pumping system
12
is generally axially aligned with second submergible pumping system
14
at a position vertically above second submergible pumping system
14
. The unique arrangement of dual system
10
permits this efficient use of space and allows the pumping of fluids from or into independent wellbore zones without commingling of the fluids moved into or out of the respective zones.
The design illustrated in
FIG. 1
potentially may be modified by extending first channel
38
downwardly and shortening second channel
40
, such that submergible pumping system
14
is disposed above submergible pumping system
12
within wellbore
24
. In this latter arrangement system
14
is positioned alongside first channel
38
and, typically, is not axially aligned with system
12
. Furthermore, packer
92
can be disposed above Y-tool
36
. In this embodiment, the fluids from channels
38
and
40
are discharged into concentric tubes. The discharge from channel
38
flows into the center tube while the discharge from channel
40
flows into the annulus formed between the center tube and the inside wall of the outer tube. With this arrangement, independent fluid flow paths are maintained through a single flow passage in upper packer
92
. Preferably, the flow from the center tube is diverted to the annulus
60
and the flow from the annulus, formed between the center tube and outer tube, is directed into tubing
18
by virtue of a discharge crossover head. In other words, the discharge crossover head is used in place of perforated discharge joint
46
.
Also, by placing submergible pumping system
14
above submergible pumping
12
, the fluid from first zone
28
is pumped through tubing
18
along flow path
48
. The fluid from second zone
30
, on the other hand, is pumped through the annulus formed around tubing
18
along fluid flow path
52
.
Referring now to
FIG. 3
, a modified embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to that described with reference to
FIG. 1
, but it includes a single channel section
110
in place of second Y-tool
103
. Section
110
completes the portion of second channel
40
between intermediate packer
86
and second submergible pumping system
14
.
Additionally, permanent packer
102
is omitted, as is possible when simply pumping fluids from second wellbore zone
30
. Furthermore, flow liner
54
is removed to illustrate use of the present dual system in an environment where a produced fluid may be pumped upwardly between the deployment system
16
and the wellbore casing
26
.
Another embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system
10
is illustrated in
FIGS. 4-6
. In this embodiment, a dual submergible pumping system
120
is disposed in a wellbore
122
lined by a wellbore casing
124
.
Wellbore casing
124
includes a plurality of perforations
126
through which a fluid may enter wellbore
122
at a first zone
128
. Similarly, wellbore casing
124
includes an additional set of perforations
130
disposed through wellbore casing
124
at a second zone
132
. A packer
134
separates zone
128
from zone
132
.
In this embodiment, system
120
includes a single deployment tubing
136
, such as production tubing or coiled tubing. Deployment tubing
136
includes a hollow interior
138
that forms a fluid flow path
140
.
Deployment tubing
136
extends through a manifold
142
and is engaged with a connector
144
. Connector
144
is connected to an upper pump
146
, such as a submergible, centrifugal style pump used in pumping wellbore fluids. Upper pump
146
includes a pump intake
148
disposed in first zone
128
.
A submergible electric motor
150
is coupled to pump
146
to provide power to upper pump
146
. A motor protector
152
is disposed between pump
146
and submergible electric motor
150
. Also, a power cable
154
provides electric power to motor
150
.
Preferably, motor
150
also is coupled to a second or lower pump
156
to provide power thereto in addition to powering upper pump
146
. Power is transferred from the motor to the pumps by a drive shaft (not shown), as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. If additional power is required to run both upper pump
146
and lower pump
156
, additional motors, such as optional motors
158
and
160
may be added. Preferably, a second motor protector
162
is attached to the lowermost motor
150
,
158
or
160
, to isolate the internal motor oil from the wellbore fluids.
In the illustrated embodiment, lower pump
156
is connected to lower protector
162
by a discharge head
164
. Additionally, lower pump
156
includes a pump intake
166
disposed in fluid communication with second zone
132
. By way of example, pump intake
166
may be disposed in an opening
168
formed through packer
134
.
At least one conduit and preferably a plurality of conduits
170
are connected between discharge head
164
and manifold
142
. Exemplary conduits
170
comprise one half or three quarter inch tubing. The conduits are placed in fluid communication with a larger fluid transport tube
172
, e.g. coiled tubing, at manifold
142
. Thus, conduits
170
, in combination with manifold
142
and fluid transport tube
172
, comprise an independent, alternate fluid transport that forms a fluid flow path
174
, wholly isolated from fluid flow path
140
.
In operation, motors
150
,
158
and
160
power upper pump
146
and lower pump
156
. Upper pump
146
draws a fluid from first zone
128
through pump intake
148
and discharges the fluid through hollow interior
138
of deployment tubing
136
along fluid flow path
140
. Similarly, lower pump
156
draws a fluid from second zone
132
and discharges it through discharge head
164
, shown in cross-section in FIG.
6
. The discharged fluid travels along fluid flow path
174
through conduits
170
and into manifold
142
, shown in cross-section in FIG.
5
. Within manifold
142
, the discharged fluid moves into fluid communication with fluid transport tube
172
and continues along fluid flow path
174
completely isolated from fluid flow path
140
.
In the illustrated embodiment, upper pump
146
typically has a higher flow rate than lower pump
156
. The conduits
170
, as well as fluid transport tube
172
, tend to be smaller in diameter than deployment tubing
136
, and therefore have less flow capacity than deployment tubing
136
. Thus, in some applications, it may be desirable to power lower pump
156
independently of upper pump
146
. In this event, at least one motor, such as motor
160
, is powered by a separate power cable (not shown) and run independently of the motors providing power to upper pump
146
.
The configuration of the various components of system
120
allow upper pump
146
and lower pump
156
to be disposed generally in axial alignment with one another within wellbore
122
. This configuration facilitates efficient use of the narrowly confined space within wellbore
122
, while permitting production of fluid from two separate zones. The use of independent conduits
170
, manifold
142
and fluid transport tube
172
ensures that fluids from separate zones in wellbore
122
are prevented from commingling during production.
Referring now to
FIG. 7
, another embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system is illustrated. In this embodiment, a dual submergible pumping system
180
is shown disposed within a wellbore
182
that is lined by a wellbore casing
184
. Wellbore casing
184
includes a first perforation region
186
that permits fluid to flow into wellbore
182
at a first zone
188
. Similarly, a second perforation region
190
permits fluid to flow into wellbore
182
at a second zone
192
. First zone
188
and second zone
192
are separated by a packer
194
.
In this embodiment, a deployment system
196
, such as tubing
198
, is connected to an expanded housing
200
. Expanded housing
200
is connected and sealed to a lower end of tubing
198
. At an opposite end from tubing
198
, expanded housing
200
joins a narrowed tubular section
202
that extends through an opening
204
of packer
194
.
Expanded housing
200
includes a hollow interior
206
sized to receive a submergible pumping system
208
. Submergible pumping system
208
is mounted to expanded housing
200
by a manifold
210
. Manifold
210
can be mounted to housing
200
by an appropriate mounting fixture or fasteners.
An exemplary submergible pumping system
208
includes a submergible pump
212
coupled to a submergible motor
214
. A motor protector
216
is disposed between submergible pump
212
and submergible motor
214
. Also, manifold
210
is located between pump
212
and protector
216
and serves as a pump intake. Manifold
210
includes a plurality of inlets
218
that cooperate with openings
220
through expanded housing
200
to draw fluid from first zone
188
. Additionally, manifold
210
includes at least one generally axial opening
222
through which fluid may flow along the interior of housing
200
, while avoiding commingling with the fluid intaken through inlets
218
from first zone
188
.
A second submergible pumping system
224
is connected to tubular section
202
. An exemplary submergible pumping system
224
includes a pump
226
connected to a pump intake
228
disposed in second zone
192
. Additionally, an electric motor
230
provides power to pump
226
, and a motor protector
232
isolates the interior of motor
230
from the wellbore fluids of second zone
192
. Each of the electric motors
214
and
230
receive electrical power via corresponding power cables
232
and
234
, respectively.
In operation, submergible pumping system
208
draws a fluid from first zone
188
through fluid inlets
218
and discharges the fluid into a conduit
236
coupled to submergible pump
212
. Conduit
236
defines a fluid flow path
238
along which fluid is produced from first zone
188
. Preferably, conduit
236
is sized to fit within a hollow interior
240
of tubing
198
. Conduit
236
may include a nipple
242
designed for insertion into a receiving structure
244
attached to submergible pump
212
. Thus, conduit
236
can be inserted or removed after deployment of the remainder of dual submergible pumping system
180
in wellbore
182
.
Second submergible pumping system
224
draws fluid from second zone
192
through pump intake
228
. Pump
226
discharges the fluid from second zone
192
into tubular section
202
along an independent fluid flow path
246
. The fluid from second zone
192
flows along fluid flow path
246
upwardly through the annulus formed between submergible pumping system
208
and expanded housing
200
. The fluid continues to flow upwardly through manifold
212
and ultimately into the annulus formed between conduit
236
and tubing
198
. Thus, the fluid produced from second zone
192
is isolated from the fluid produced from first zone
188
as the fluids flow upwardly to a desired location.
Certain modifications also may be made to system
180
. For example, if it becomes unnecessary to separate the fluids produced from the distinct zones, conduit
236
can be removed and both submergible pumping systems can produce fluid into the same hollow interior of tubing
198
. Additionally, one or more packers may be added above manifold
210
or below pump intake
228
to permit injection of fluid into a given zone rather than removal. The use of additional packers allows the subject zones to receive pressurized fluid, as is sometimes desirable in certain production applications.
Referring generally to
FIG. 8
, another embodiment of the dual submergible pumping system is illustrated according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a dual submergible pumping system
250
is shown disposed within a wellbore
252
that is lined with a wellbore casing
254
. Wellbore casing
254
includes a perforated region
256
that permits fluid to flow into wellbore
252
at a first zone
258
. Similarly, wellbore casing
254
includes a second perforated region
260
through which a fluid may flow into wellbore
252
at a second zone
262
. Zone
258
and zone
262
are separated by a packer
264
.
System
250
includes a first electric submergible pumping system
266
and a second electric submergible pumping system
268
. System
266
is disposed to intake a fluid from zone
258
, while system
268
is disposed to intake a fluid from zone
262
.
Both of the submergible pumping systems
266
and
268
are suspended from a deployment system
270
that comprises a deployment tubing
272
having a hollow interior
274
. Deployment system
270
also includes a parallel flow head
276
connected to a lower end of tubing
272
. Parallel flow head
276
comprises an opening
278
to which submergible pumping system
266
is engaged to provide fluid communication with hollow interior
274
via a conduit
280
.
Parallel flow head
276
also includes an additional opening
282
to which submergible pumping system
268
is engaged via an appropriate conduit
284
. Conduit
284
preferably comprises a tube that extends through packer
264
to submergible pumping system
268
. If space constraints require, conduit
284
may be designed with a narrowed section
286
along submergible pumping system
266
to provide adequate clearance.
Opposite conduit
284
, a tube
288
is sealed to parallel flow head
276
at opening
282
. Tube
288
is placed in fluid communication with conduit
284
for producing fluid from zone
262
. Preferably, tube
288
extends through hollow interior
274
of deployment tubing
272
. Also, tube
288
may include an engagement nipple
290
designed for selective engagement with parallel flow head
276
. Nipple
290
permits insertion and removal of tube
288
following deployment of the submergible pumping systems
266
and
268
in wellbore
252
.
Each submergible pumping system
266
and
268
may include a variety of components, but typically include submergible pumps, submergible motors, motor protectors and pump intakes, as disclosed with respect to the embodiments described above. Similarly, electrical power is supplied to submergible pumping systems
266
and
268
by appropriate power cables
292
and
294
, respectively.
In operation, submergible pumping system
268
draws fluid from zone
262
and discharges it through conduit
284
and tube
288
along a fluid flow path
296
. Simultaneously, submergible pumping system
266
draws fluid from zone
258
and discharges it through conduit
280
and into hollow interior
274
of deployment tubing
272
along a fluid flow path
298
. Thus, the fluid drawn from zone
258
is produced along an independent flow path relative to the fluid drawn from zone
262
.
Additional features of dual submergible pumping system
250
include an upper packer
300
having a plurality of bores
302
through which conduits
280
and
284
, power cables
292
and
294
and a plurality of optional injection lines
304
extend. Packer
300
allows pressurized fluid to be injected into zone
258
, in lieu of pumping fluid from zone
258
.
Injection lines
304
typically are used to inject fluids, such as corrosion inhibitors, into the fluids being produced from each of the respective zones. In any of the embodiments described above, injection lines, such as injection lines
304
, can be incorporated into the design either independently or in combination with the power cables, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, a variety of additional submergible pumping system components can be incorporated into the design; a variety of packers may be used if it is necessary to alternate between production from a zone and injection of fluid into that zone; a variety of control lines, such as fluid control lines, optical fibers and conductive control lines can be incorporated into the overall system; and different diameters and sizes of the tubing and other components can be selected as required or desired for a specific application. Additionally, use of the terms “first” and “second” throughout this disclosure is for aiding in description of the overall system, and should not be construed as requiring a specific orientation or arrangement of components. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A pumping system for use in a wellbore, comprising:a deployment tubing; a first electric submergible pumping system suspended from the deployment tubing; a second electric submergible pumping system suspended from the deployment tubing; and a fluid transport system having a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path separated from the first fluid flow path, wherein the first submergible pumping system is connected to the fluid transport system such that a first fluid may be discharged into the first fluid flow path and the second submergible pumping system is connected to the fluid transport system such that a second fluid may be discharged into the second fluid flow path, wherein the first fluid flow path is defined by an annulus formed between the deployment tubing and a well casing liner and the second fluid flow path is defined by a hollow interior of the deployment tubing.
- 2. The pumping system as recited in claim 1, wherein the deployment tubing comprises a coiled tubing.
- 3. The pumping system as recited in claim 1, wherein the deployment tubing comprises a string of production tubing.
- 4. The pumping system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first submergible pumping system is deployed above the second submergible pumping system when disposed within the wellbore.
- 5. The pumping system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a packer disposed between the first submergible pumping system and the second submergible pumping system.
- 6. The pumping system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a second packer disposed above the first submergible pumping system.
- 7. The pumping system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a flow liner disposed along an inside surface of a wellbore casing to isolate the wellbore casing.
- 8. A dual electric submergible pumping system for interaction with at least two separate zones within a wellbore, comprising:a single deployment tubing having a hollow interior through which a fluid may be pumped; a dual electric submergible pumping system suspended from the single deployment tubing, the dual submergible pumping system having a first submergible pump connected to a first pump intake disposed in a first zone and a second submergible pump connected to a second pump intake disposed in a second zone, wherein the first submergible pump is disposed in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and an alternate fluid transport, comprising an annulus formed around the single deployment tubing, wherein the second submergible pump is disposed in fluid communication with the alternate fluid transport.
- 9. The dual electric submergible pumping system as recited in claim 8, wherein the alternate fluid transport comprises a tube.
- 10. The dual electric submergible pumping system as recited in claim 9, wherein the tube is disposed within the hollow interior.
- 11. The dual electric submergible pumping system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a first submergible motor coupled to the first submergible pump and a second submergible motor coupled to the second submergible pump.
- 12. The dual electric submergible pumping system as recited in claim 8, wherein a packer is disposed between the first zone and the second zone.
- 13. The dual electric submergible pumping system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a liner that defines the annulus.
- 14. A method for pumping fluids from a pair of zones within a narrowly confined wellbore without commingling the fluids pumped from individual zones, comprising:separating a first wellbore zone from a second wellbore zone by a packer; suspending an electric submersible pumping system having a first pump and a second pump from a deployment tubing having a hollow interior; drawing fluid into the first pump from the first wellbore zone; drawing fluid into the second pump from the second wellbore zone; pumping fluid from the first pump along a first fluid flow path within the hollow interior; and pumping fluid from the second pump along a second fluid flow path isolated from the first fluid flow path, the second fluid flow path comprising an annulus formed between the deployment tubing and a well casing liner.
- 15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising suspending the first pump in axial alignment with the second pump.
- 16. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising powering the first pump and the second pump with an electric motor.
- 17. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising powering the first pump with a first electric motor; powering the second pump with a second electric motor; and disposing the first electric motor in axial alignment with the second electric motor.
US Referenced Citations (14)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 922 835 |
Jun 1999 |
EP |
WO 9837307 |
Aug 1998 |
WO |