Downhole electrical submersible power generator

• US 20050012340A1
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Original Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Inventors: Cousins, Edward Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,002,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/15 Controlling commutation time

Abstract

A method and apparatus is described for a downhole submersible electrical power generator. The electrical power generator includes a housing forming a fluid conduit. An inlet is disposed on the housing. Also, an outlet is disposed on the housing where the inlet and the outlet are adapted to allow a fluid to flow into and out of the housing, respectively. A fluid flow powered electrical power generator is disposed inside the housing and is adapted to generate electrical power from the fluid flowing through the housing. An isolation packer is disposed outside the housing between the inlet and the outlet where the isolation packer is adapted to isolate the inlet and the outlet in different zones in a wellbore.

Claims

1. A downhole submersible electrical power generator, comprising:

a housing forming a fluid conduit;

an inlet disposed on the housing;

an outlet disposed on the housing, wherein the inlet and the outlet are adapted to allow a fluid to flow into and out of the housing, respectively;

a fluid flow powered electrical power generator disposed inside the housing and adapted to generate electrical power from the fluid flowing through the housing; and

at least one isolation packer disposed outside the housing between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the at least one isolation packer is adapted to isolate the inlet and the outlet in different zones in a wellbore.

2. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flows through the fluid conduit dependent on a naturally occurring hydraulic pressure differential.

3. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, further comprising:

at least another isolation packer disposed outside the housing, wherein the at least another isolation packer is adapted to isolate the outlet from a portion of the well.

4. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises water.

5. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the inlet is disposed in a first zone, wherein the outlet is disposed in a second zone, and wherein the first zone is at a greater depth than the second zone.

6. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow powered electrical generator comprises a rotor.

7. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow powered electrical generator comprises a piston.

8. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow powered electrical generator comprises a positive displacement rotor.

9. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow powered electrical generator comprises a turbine rotor.

10. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow powered electrical generator comprises an alternator section.

11. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, further comprising:

a power output cable operatively connected to the fluid flow powered electrical power generator, wherein the power output cable operatively supplies power to an apparatus.

12. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises elements located onshore.

13. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the wellbore is cased, and wherein the at least one isolation packer is adapted to form a seal with the cased wellbore.

14. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a valve.

15. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the outlet comprises a valve.

16. The downhole submersible electrical power generator of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a valve adapted to allow the fluid to flow from one portion of the housing to another portion of the housing.

17. A method for generating electrical power using a downhole submersible electrical power generator, comprising:

disposing the downhole submersible electrical power generator in a borehole;

isolating a first wellbore zone from a second wellbore zone using an isolation packer disposed outside the downhole submersible electrical power generator, wherein the first wellbore zone is at a higher hydraulic pressure than the second wellbore zone;

flowing a fluid from the first wellbore zone to the second wellbore zone through a fluid path included in the downhole submersible electrical power generator; and

generating electrical power dependent on the flowing.

18. The method for generating electrical power of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting the electrical power to an apparatus.

19. The method for generating electrical power of claim 18, wherein the transmitting is to an onshore location.

20. The method for generating electrical power of claim 17, wherein the fluid comprises water.

21. The method for generating electrical power of claim 17, wherein the first wellbore zone is at a greater depth than the second wellbore zone.

22. The method for generating electrical power of claim 17, wherein the generating comprises using an alternator section.

23. The method for generating electrical power of claim 17, wherein the generating is dependent on rotating a rotor.