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WO2015106826A1 - Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits - Google Patents

Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2015106826A1
WO2015106826A1 PCT/EP2014/050968 EP2014050968W WO2015106826A1 WO 2015106826 A1 WO2015106826 A1 WO 2015106826A1 EP 2014050968 W EP2014050968 W EP 2014050968W WO 2015106826 A1 WO2015106826 A1 WO 2015106826A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
socket
plug
insert
dielectric fluid
wet connector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2014/050968
Other languages
English (en)
Original Assignee
Artificial Lift Company Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Artificial Lift Company Limited filed Critical Artificial Lift Company Limited
Priority to PCT/EP2014/050968 priority Critical patent/WO2015106826A1/fr
Publication of WO2015106826A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015106826A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water

Definitions

  • This invention relates to wet connectors for downhole use, which is to say, releasable connectors for electrical conductors which can be made and unmade in the fluid environment of a wellbore, particularly but not exclusively a hydrocarbon well.
  • Wet connectors are used in hydrocarbon boreholes to releasably and remotely connect downhole equipment such as an electrical submersible pump (ESP), sensor or other tool to a conductor such as a power or signal line.
  • ESP electrical submersible pump
  • the tool may be retrievably deployed in the borehole, e.g. on a wireline, or may be fixedly installed in the casing or other tubing in the wellbore.
  • the power or signal line may be retrievably suspended in the wellbore or may be fixedly installed on the casing or other tubing.
  • Hydrocarbon wells typically contain a mixture of electrically conductive fluids at elevated temperature and pressure, and since ESPs are typically powered at relatively high voltages, e.g. around 600V, the wet connectors are particularly vulnerable to failure when internal contamination of the connector by wellbore fluids leads to flashover between the conductors.
  • a wet connector typically comprises a male part comprising one or a group of plugs, and a female part comprising a corresponding number of sockets, the or each respective plug and socket having a single electrical contact or an array of contacts.
  • the male or the female part may be arranged on the tool, with the other part being arranged on the power or signal line.
  • the connector may comprise for example a single plug and socket having three axially spaced contacts, or a group of three plugs and sockets, each having a single electrical contact.
  • wiper seals In order to exclude wellbore fluids from the connector, it is usual to occlude the bore of the socket with a retractable insert which is displaced by the plug.
  • the sliding interface between the socket and the insert is protected by one or a series of annular seals known as wiper seals, hereinafter also referred to as wipers, which slidingly wipe contaminants from the surface of the plug as it enters the socket.
  • US 4767349 discloses a wet connector in which a reservoir of dielectric fluid is arranged to energise an axial array of wiper seals as the plug is inserted, increasing the sealing force of each seal so as to assist in breaking the film of conductive fluid on the surface of the plug.
  • WO2010/122342 discloses a wet connector in which the plug is enclosed within a retractable sheath and may be repeatedly flushed by dielectric fluid expelled from a reservoir into the wellbore so as to cleanse the connector of contaminants. However, the reservoir of dielectric fluid may be exhausted by repeated flushing.
  • GB 2477214 A discloses a wet connect system in which a conductor is slidably housed in a conduit extending from the wellhead, through which a dielectric fluid may be pumped. Again, this is effective in excluding contaminants, but requires the installation of the conduit to the deployed depth of the wet connector. It is the object of the present invention to provide a self-contained downhole wet connector which more effectively excludes contaminants from the contacts while allowing repeated connection and disconnection.
  • the invention overcomes this problem by providing the separation zone between each pair of adjacent wiper seals with a separate port and conduit external to the socket through which dielectric fluid is supplied to the socket from a reservoir.
  • This allows dielectric fluid to flow to and from the separation zone during insertion of the plug, which makes it possible to regulate or equalise the pressure across each wiper seal so as to prevent the development of undesirable pressure gradients as the plug enters the socket.
  • each respective separation zone is supplied from a separate reservoir of dielectric fluid so that contaminants cannot migrate through the reservoir from one separation zone to another.
  • the invention provides a compact and self- contained wet connector which can more effectively exclude contaminants with little or no loss of dielectric fluid.
  • a downhole electrical wet connector including: a plug having a first electrical contact, a socket having a second electrical contact, and at least one wiper seal, the wiper seal being arranged in the socket to wipe contaminants from the plug or the insert, wherein the retractable insert is slidingly arranged in the socket, the plug being insertable into the socket so as to displace the insert and electrically connect the first and second contacts, wherein an insert sealing means is provided between the insert and the socket which creates a sealed region on the plug side of the insert sealing means, and that the volume taken up by the plug as it is inserted into the socket corresponds to the volume given up by the insert as it is pushed out of the sealed region by the plug, such that no pressure differential is created between the socket and the outside during insertion and retraction of the plug.
  • a downhole electrical wet connector including: a plug having a first electrical contact, a socket having a second electrical contact, and at least one wiper seal, the wiper seal being arranged in the socket to wipe contaminants from the plug, wherein the retractable insert is slidingly arranged in the socket, the plug being insertable into the socket so as to displace the insert and electrically connect the first and second contacts, wherein the respective contacting ends of the plug and socket are correspondingly conically shaped, such that, during insertion of the plug in the socket, the plug is centred, and engages the socket in the correct alignment.
  • this invention includes a downhole electrical wet connector including: a plug having a first electrical contact, a socket having a second electrical contact, and at least one wiper seal, the wiper seal being arranged in the socket to wipe contaminants from the plug, characterised in that the retractable insert is slidingly arranged in the socket, the plug being insertable into the socket so as to displace the insert and electrically connect the first and second contacts, wherein the insert comprises a plug engaging surface at its remote end at least part of which surface comprises a soft and compliant material which is contacted by a corresponding surface of the end of the plug.
  • This invention also includes a spring means, wherein spring means act on the insert to return the insert to the original position in the socket and which assists in the displacement of the plug during retraction of said plug.
  • Figs. 1A - 1C show a first wet connector comprising male and female components in use, wherein:
  • Fig. 1 A is a section through part of an oil well comprising the female component
  • Fig. IB shows an electrical submersible pump comprising the male component
  • Fig. 1C shows the pump installed in the well with the male and female components connected together
  • Fig. 2 shows the female component in more detail
  • Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the female component
  • Fig. 4 is a cross section through the female component at line IV - IV of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 A is an enlarged view of part of the longitudinal section of Fig. 3, with the insert removed;
  • Fig. 5B is a longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 5A, showing the female component in use;
  • Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through one of the plugs of the male component
  • Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 5B and Fig. 6, showing the male and female components connected together;
  • Fig. 8 A is a schematic illustration of the pressure regulating means of the first wet connector
  • Fig. 8B is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 8A.
  • Figs. 9 - 11 correspond to Figs. 8A and 8B, showing the pressure regulating means in accordance with three alternative embodiments.
  • a downhole electrical wet connector comprises a male component 20 and a female component 60.
  • the male component is mounted on an ESP 1 while the female component 60 is mounted on a tailpipe 2 within the casing 3 of a hydrocarbon well 4 containing wellbore fluid 10 at ambient pressure
  • the male component is retracted into the outer housing of the ESP while it is deployed down the well on a wireline 8.
  • the ESP has a lug 5 which engages an inclined profile 6 in the tailpipe so as to orient the male component 20 into alignment with a window 7 in the tailpipe, allowing it to extend outwardly to its use position as shown.
  • the male component includes an array of three plugs 21, each plug having a first annular electrical contact 22 which is connected to a respective winding of the motor of the ESP, while the female component includes an array of three cylindrical sockets 61, each socket having a second annular electrical contact 62 which is connected via a cable 9 (shown only in Figs. 1 A and 1C) to an electrical supply at the wellhead.
  • the ESP is lowered to engage the plugs in the sockets, whereby the respective contacts 22, 62 of each plug and socket are connected together, the contact 62 being slightly resiliently deformable so as to grip the contact 22.
  • the contact 62 is connected to the conductor of the cable 9 via a copper connector 78, the conductive parts being surrounded by ceramic insulation 79 and the insulating jacket of the cable sealingly received in a sleeve 80.
  • each socket is formed by the respective inner bores of first and second ceramic sleeves 63, 64 which are aligned along the longitudinal axis Xi - Xi of the socket on either side of the annular contact 62.
  • Each of the sleeves 63, 64 has three internal annular recesses 65, with an annular wiper seal 66 being arranged in each of the recesses so that the two sleeves support two respective arrays 63', 64' of wiper seals, each array comprising three wiper seals arranged in series in the socket.
  • a retractable insert 67 is arranged in each socket 61.
  • the insert comprises a cylindrical ceramic rod 68 which is resiliently biased to a rest position (Fig. 5B) by a spring 69.
  • Ports 70 and 71 expose the rearward end of the insert 67 to the ambient pressure P] of the wellbore fluid 10 so that the reciprocal motion of the insert is independent of ambient pressure.
  • Each wiper seal comprises an annulus which is generally X-shaped when considered in longitudinal section as shown; this is found to be effective in wiping contaminants from the surface of the plug and insert during connection and disconnection, while providing a relatively light gripping force which allows the insert to return easily to its rest position (Fig. 5B) under its restoring spring force.
  • Fig. 5B rest position
  • each separation zone 72 thus comprises the small annular clearance gap formed between two adjacent seals between the inner surface of the socket and the outer surface of the insert or plug; the clearance gap may optionally be widened by a further shallow annular recess (not shown) formed in the inner surface of the socket to distribute dielectric fluid around the insert or plug between the two respective seals.
  • Each respective separation zone 72 has at least one respective dielectric fluid conduit 73 external to the socket which opens into the respective separation zone at port 76, each conduit 73 communicating with a respective annular recess 74 formed in the external surface of the respective sleeve 63 or 64.
  • each separation zone 72 has two conduits 73 opening into the separation zone at ports 76, both conduits communicating with the same recess 74, although alternatively only one could be provided.
  • Each recess 74 is isolated from the other recesses 74 by O ring seals 75 and communicates with a respective individual reservoir 77 of dielectric fluid 1 1, so that each separation zone 72 is supplied with dielectric fluid from a separate reservoir at a dielectric fluid pressure P 2 as further discussed below.
  • each array 63', 64' is provided with two separate reservoirs, each reservoir containing a separate body of dielectric fluid, wherein each of the separation zones is fluidly connected with a respective one of the reservoirs.
  • Each of the reservoirs 77 is pressure balanced by means of a piston 81 which separates the dielectric fluid 11 from the ambient wellbore fluid 10 which is applied to the respective face of the piston via an aperture 82 in the outer housing 83 of the female component.
  • Each of the reservoirs is provided with a vent 84 so that the reservoir can be individually filled with dielectric fluid; in a development (not shown), a single filling passage may be provided, which for example may communicate with each reservoir via a respective non-return valve.
  • a further reservoir 85 communicates with a small gap 86 surrounding the insulated conductive parts and communicating with the region of the socket containing the contact 62, whereby this region is also pressure balanced via piston 87 acted on by wellbore fluid 10 via aperture 88 opening through the housing 83 into the wellbore.
  • each plug 21 comprises a central conductor 23 surrounded by ceramic insulation 24 and electrically connected to the annular contact 22 which is arranged between the ceramic insulation 24 and the ceramic tip 25.
  • the plug 21 is protected by a retractable sheath 26 which is spring biased to the rest position as shown (Fig. 6).
  • the plugs are aligned with the sockets, whereby each sheath 26 abuts against the outer housing 83 ; axial movement along axis Xi - Xi causes the sheath to retract while the plug enters the socket.
  • the plug displaces the insert and travels through the respective separation zones and wiper seals of the first array 63', the series of wiper seals consecutively wiping any remaining traces of wellbore fluid 10 from its outer surface until the first and second contacts 22, 62 are electrically connected (Fig. 7).
  • the second array 64' isolates the contact 62 from the wellbore fluid 10 behind the insert.
  • each piston 81 thus comprises pressure regulating means whereby the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 of each separation zone is maintained (in particular during connection and disconnection of the plug and the socket) in constant relation to the ambient pressure Pi in the wellbore external to the connector and in constant relation to the dielectric fluid pressure of the respective adjacent separation zone.
  • the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 of each separation zone is maintained constantly equal to the ambient pressure Pi so that the two separation zones of each array are maintained at an equal dielectric fluid pressure during connection and disconnection of the plug and the socket. This prevents the
  • each reservoir 77 is isolated from the wellbore fluid via a piston 81 and non -return valve 90 which permits dielectric fluid to flow inwardly in direction Di in response to elevated ambient pressure in the wellbore, maintaining the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 at a value at least equal to the ambient pressure Pi but, by preventing flow in the reverse direction, permits the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 in each separation zone 72 to rise above ambient pressure Pi as the plug is inserted into the socket.
  • the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 of each separation zone is equalised, here via piston 91 which separates the reservoirs.
  • the dielectric fluid pressure P 2 of each separation zone is regulated in relation to the ambient pressure Pi external to the connector, it is not maintained in constant relation to the ambient pressure Pi. The pressure rise during connection may cause a small loss of dielectric fluid, which however will be forced outwardly from the socket to flush the plug.
  • a piston 81 maintains the dielectric fluid pressure P 3 in a first separation zone 92 at a value constantly equal to the ambient pressure Pi.
  • Another piston 81 in series with a nonreturn valve 90 permitting flow in an inward direction Di constantly maintains the dielectric fluid pressure P 4 in the adjacent separation zone 93 at a value at least equal to the ambient pressure Pi.
  • a pressure relief valve 94 is arranged in parallel with the non-return valve 90 and spring biased to permit flow in the outward direction D 2 when the dielectric fluid pressure P 4 in the separation zone 93 rises to a predetermined value in excess of the ambient pressure Pi.
  • the pressure in the two adjacent separation zones is thus constantly regulated so as to achieve a small, predetermined pressure gradient between the two zones, which may be arranged to cause a small outflow of dielectric fluid from the inner to the outer zone, i.e.
  • the profile of the plug or the insert may be slightly tapered or otherwise adapted as required to slightly pressurise the socket during insertion of the plug.
  • the dielectric fluid pressure P 5 a first separation zone 95 is constantly maintained at least equal to the ambient pressure Pi by a piston 81 in series with a non -return valve 90 opening in the inward direction Di .
  • the dielectric fluid pressure ⁇ in the adjacent separation zone 96 is also maintained at least equal to the ambient pressure Pi by another piston 81 in series with another non -return valve 90 opening in the inward direction D l 5 but also has a spring biased pressure relief valve 94 in parallel with the valve 90 and opening in the outward direction D 2 when the dielectric fluid pressure P 6 exceeds Pi by a predetermined value.
  • a second pressure relief valve 94' is arranged between the two reservoirs 77 in series with a piston 97 which separates the fluid in the two reservoirs, and arranged to open in the direction D 3 when the dielectric fluid pressure P5 exceeds P 6 by a predetermined value. Slight pressurisation of the socket by the plug during connection thus establishes a desirable pressure gradient whereby P5 > P 6 > Pi, flushing contaminants outwardly from the socket.
  • the downhole electrical wet connector is: a plug 21 having a first electrical contact 22, a socket 61 having a second electrical contact 62, and at least one wiper seal 66, the wiper seal 66 being arranged in the socket 61 to wipe contaminants from the plug 21 or the insert 67.
  • the insert 67 is retractable and is slidingly arranged in the socket 61 , the plug 21 being insertable into the socket 61 so as to displace the insert 67 and electrically connect the first 22 and second 62 contacts.
  • Insert sealing means 89 is provided between the insert 67 and the socket 61 which creates a sealed region on the plug side of the insert sealing means 89, and that the volume taken up by the plug 21 as it is inserted into the socket 61 corresponds to the volume given up by the insert 67 as it is pushed out of the sealed region by the plug 21, such that no pressure differential is created between the socket 61 and the outside during insertion and retraction of the plug 21.
  • the respective contacting ends of the plug 21 and socket 61 are correspondingly conically shaped, such that, during insertion of the plug 21 in the socket 61, the plug 21 is centred, and engages the socket 61 in the correct alignment.
  • a preferred embodiment provides a downhole electrical wet connector comprising a plug which is slidingly inserted into a socket, the socket comprising a series of wiper seals spaced apart by separation zones, each zone being individually supplied with dielectric fluid from a separate reservoir.
  • a retractable insert is arranged in the socket and displaced by the plug during connection. The fluid pressure in each zone is individually regulated relative to ambient wellbore pressure and the pressure in adjacent zones and optionally equalised to minimise loss of fluid.
  • only one array of wiper seals may be provided; in less preferred embodiments, the or each array may comprise only two wiper seals separated by a single separation zone.
  • the or each array may include more than three wiper seals separated by more than two respective separation zones, each separation zone preferably having a respective individual reservoir of dielectric fluid (which may be separated by pressure equalising pistons), although in less preferred embodiments, a single shared reservoir may be used.
  • the pressure regulating means may comprise any suitable means whereby the dielectric fluid pressure may be adjusted by reference to the ambient pressure in the wellbore.
  • this is a simple piston, a diaphragm or any other moveable or flexible barrier which separates the fluids while transmitting pressure between them, although of course it could be a more complex mechanism including sensors operably connected with pressure generating means such as a pump or pressure reservoir (e.g. a compressed gas) which adjusts the dielectric fluid pressure to the required value.
  • the connector may be used to connect both power and signal lines.
  • the female part may be mounted on the tool and the male part on the well casing or production tubing.
  • the or each plug and socket may have a plurality of spaced contacts rather than a single contact. Either or both of the male and female parts may be suspended in the wellbore.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits qui comprend une fiche insérée coulissante dans une prise, la prise comprenant une série de joints racleurs espacés par des zones de séparation, chaque zone étant individuellement alimentée en fluide diélectrique à partir d'un réservoir séparé. Un insert rétractable est agencé dans la prise et déplacé par la fiche pendant la connexion. La pression fluidique dans chaque zone est régulée individuellement par rapport à la pression ambiante du puits de forage et à la pression dans les zones adjacentes et elle est égalisée, de façon optionnelle, afin de réduire au minimum la perte de fluide.
PCT/EP2014/050968 2014-01-19 2014-01-19 Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits WO2015106826A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2014/050968 WO2015106826A1 (fr) 2014-01-19 2014-01-19 Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2014/050968 WO2015106826A1 (fr) 2014-01-19 2014-01-19 Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015106826A1 true WO2015106826A1 (fr) 2015-07-23

Family

ID=49998285

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/EP2014/050968 WO2015106826A1 (fr) 2014-01-19 2014-01-19 Connecteur humide électrique de fond de puits

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WO (1) WO2015106826A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2598394A (en) * 2020-09-01 2022-03-02 Aegir Tech Limited Two-part and terminal connectors with improved connector socket sealing and durability

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4767349A (en) 1983-12-27 1988-08-30 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Wet electrical connector
US4825946A (en) 1984-09-24 1989-05-02 Otis Engineering Corporation Apparatus for monitoring a parameter in a well
US4997384A (en) 1989-04-17 1991-03-05 Otis Engineering Corporation Wet connector
WO1991015882A1 (fr) * 1990-04-11 1991-10-17 Cairns James L Connecteur electrique a contacts multiples immerge
US20040266240A1 (en) * 2003-06-05 2004-12-30 Abbey Stephen Trevor Electrical penetrator connector
WO2010122342A1 (fr) 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Artificial Lift Company Limited Connecteur électrique humide utilisé dans un environnement de fond de trou
US20110130024A1 (en) * 2009-11-11 2011-06-02 Teledyne Odi, Inc. Keyless harsh environment connector
GB2477214A (en) 2010-01-26 2011-07-27 Artificial Lift Co Ltd Wet connection system for downhole equipment

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4767349A (en) 1983-12-27 1988-08-30 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Wet electrical connector
US4825946A (en) 1984-09-24 1989-05-02 Otis Engineering Corporation Apparatus for monitoring a parameter in a well
US4997384A (en) 1989-04-17 1991-03-05 Otis Engineering Corporation Wet connector
WO1991015882A1 (fr) * 1990-04-11 1991-10-17 Cairns James L Connecteur electrique a contacts multiples immerge
US20040266240A1 (en) * 2003-06-05 2004-12-30 Abbey Stephen Trevor Electrical penetrator connector
WO2010122342A1 (fr) 2009-04-22 2010-10-28 Artificial Lift Company Limited Connecteur électrique humide utilisé dans un environnement de fond de trou
US20110130024A1 (en) * 2009-11-11 2011-06-02 Teledyne Odi, Inc. Keyless harsh environment connector
GB2477214A (en) 2010-01-26 2011-07-27 Artificial Lift Co Ltd Wet connection system for downhole equipment

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2598394A (en) * 2020-09-01 2022-03-02 Aegir Tech Limited Two-part and terminal connectors with improved connector socket sealing and durability

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