Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CABLE PROTECTOR CLAMPS AND RELATED METHODS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to cable protector clamps and related
methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cable protector clamps wrap around and engage the exterior surfaces
of a
downhole tubing string and electrical submersible pump assembly to secure a
motor lead
extension (MLE) cable against the exterior surfaces.
SUMMARY
[0003] A cable protector clamp is disclosed comprising: arcuate parts
shaped to mate
to define a well tubular passage in use, with one or more of the arcuate parts
defining an
axial cable channel; and an angular lock on one or more of the arcuate parts,
the angular lock
shaped to engage an array of bolts of a flange of a well tubular to lock the
cable protector
clamp, relative to the array of bolts, in a range of angular positions that
are each separated
from adjacent positions by less than the angular distance between axes of
adjacent bolts in
the array of bolts.
[0004] A cable protector clamp is disclosed comprising: arcuate parts
shaped to mate
to define a well tubular passage in use, with a first arcuate part of the
arcuate parts defining
an axial cable channel; and an angular lock formed on a second arcuate part of
the arcuate
parts, the angular lock shaped to engage an array of bolts of a flange of a
well tubular to lock
the cable protector clamp, relative to the array of bolts, in a range of
angular positions.
[0005] A method is disclosed comprising clamping arcuate parts together
around a
well tubular such that: a cable, which runs in an axial direction along an
external surface of
the well tubular, is retained within a cable channel defined by one or more of
the arcuate
parts; and an angular lock, of one or more of the arcuate parts, engages an
array of bolts of a
flange of the well tubular to lock the arcuate parts, relative to the array of
bolts, in a selected
angular position of a range of angular positions that the angular lock is
capable of locking
the arcuate parts in, each of the range of angular positions being separated
from adjacent
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=
positions by less than the angular distance between axes of adjacent bolts in
the array of
bolts.
[0006] A cable protector clamp is disclosed comprising: arcuate parts
shaped to mate
to form a collar that defines a well tubular passage in use; one or more of
the arcuate parts
forming an arcuate plate whose axial ends extend in respective axial
directions beyond
respective axial ends of the collar, in which a radially inward facing surface
of the arcuate
plate defines a cable channel that opens radially to the well tubular passage.
[0007] A method is disclosed comprising: assembling arcuate parts around a
well
tubular and a cable running in an axial direction on an external surface of
the well tubular;
orienting the arcuate parts into a selected angular position of a range of
angular positions that
are each separated frOm adjacent positions by less than the angular distance
between axes of
adjacent bolts in the array of bolts clamping the arcuate parts together to
secure the arcuate
parts to the well tubular and engage an array of bolts of a flange of the well
tubular to lock
the arcuate parts, relative to the array of bolts, in a selected position of a
range of angular
positions that are each separated from adjacent positions by less than the
angular distance
between axes of adjacent bolts in the array of bolts.
[0008] In'vari.ous embodiments, there may be included any one or more of
the
following features: The angular lock comprises a plurality of fingers. The
angular lock
comprises a radially inward facing surface that is indented to form the
plurality of fingers.
The radially facing surface is indented with scalloping. The axial cable
channel is defined on
a first arcuate part of the arcuate parts. The angular lock is formed on a
second arcuate part
of the arcuate parts. The first arcuate part is connected to mate by hinge to
the second arcuate
part. When the cable protector clamp is in a clamped position, first and
second radial ends of
the first arcuate part mate with first and second radial ends of the second
arcuate part via first
and second bolt and barrel nut connections, respectively. A barrel nut of the
first bolt and
barrel nut connection is located in a barrel defined in the first radial end
of the first arcuate
part, a bolt of the first bolt and barrel nut connection mounts on a bolt
mount in the first
radial end of the second arcuate part, and the bolt mount defines a radial
slot to permit the
bolt to swing out of and into engagement with the bolt mount when the cable
protector clamp
is out of a clamped position. The range of angular positions are each
separated from adjacent
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positions by one half or less of the angular distance between axes of adjacent
bolts in the
array of bolts. The range of angular positions are each separated from
adjacent positions by
an angular distance of ic/X or less, where X = the number of bolts in the
array of bolts . The
cable channel opens radially to the well tubular passage in use. A pair of
axial capillary line
channels are defined adjacent respective opposed lateral sides of the cable
channel. A
combination has a well tubular with a flange mounting an array of bolts; a
cable protector
clamp secured around the well tubular with the angular lock engaging the array
of bolts; and
a cable within the axial cable channel. The well tubular comprises an electric
submersible
pump assembly and the cable comprises a motor lead extension cable. The clamp
is
connected to a tubing string within a production well of a steam assisted
gravity drainage
well. Each axial end of the arcuate plate is defined by a respective pair of
guide arms that are
laterally spaced to define the cable channel and that extend in a respective
axial direction
beyond a respective axial end of the cable channel. Each axial end of the
cable channel is
defined by a respective bridge connecting the respective pair of guide arms,
in which
external surfaces of each respective bridge and pair of guide arms
collectively form a cone-
shaped nose. Each cone-shaped nose narrows in lateral width with increasing
axial distance
from the collar when viewed from a plane that is perpendicular to a plane that
passes through
both an axis of the well tubular passage and a center axis of the cable
channel. Each cone-
shaped nose is tapered with an angle of thirty-five degrees or less relative
to an axis of the
well tubular passage. Each cone-shaped nose is tapered with an angle of twenty-
five degrees
or less relative to an axis of the well tubular passage. A pair of axial
capillary line channels
are defined adjacent respective opposed lateral sides of the cable channel.
Each of the pair of
axial capillary line channels is defined by a respective pair of slots that
are located adjacent
opposed axial ends of the cable channel and separated by a respective axial
gap or void that
forms part of the cable channel. The arcuate plate has a cylindrical external
shape along an
axial part of the arcuate plate underlying the cable channel. The radially
inward facing
surface that defines the cable channel tapers with decreasing distance from an
axis of the
well tubular passage when moving from a first axial end of the cable channel
to a second
axial end of the cable channel. The arcuate plate defines a centralizer guide
slot at the first
axial end of the cable channel. The cable channel has an angular width of
twenty or more
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degrees at a base of the cable channel between lateral sides of the cable
channel. The cable
channel has an angular width of twenty five or more degrees defined at a base
of the cable
channel between lateral sides of the cable channel. The arcuate plate has an
axial length of
seven decimal five inches or more. The cable channel has an axial length of
six inches or
more. A ratio of an axial length of the cable channel to an axial length of
the collar is four or
more to one. A ratio of an axial length of the cable protector clamp to an
axial length of the
cable channel is one decimal two or more to one. The cable protector clamp of
claim 2 in
which each of the plurality of fingers points in a radially inward direction
from a respective
base to a respective tip. The first arcuate part is connected by hinge to the
second arcuate
part. When the cable protector clamp is in a clamped position, first and
second radial ends of
the first arcuate part mate with first and second radial ends of the second
arcuate part via first
and second bolt and barrel nut connections, respectively. The cable protector
clamp is
positioned within a jOint between downhole sections of the well tubular.
[0009] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the
claims,
which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in
which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0011] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cable protector clamp.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of an electric submersible pump
(ESP)
assembly positioned within a production well in a steam-assisted gravity
drainage operation,
with the ESP assembly mounting a plurality of cable protector clamps.
[0013] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the cable protector clamp of
Fig. 1 engaging
an array of bolts of a flange of a well tubular.
[0014] Figs. 3A-D are a sequence of section views depicting various stages
in a
process for mounting the cable protector clamp of Fig. 1 to a well tubular in
different angular
positions. Fig. 3D is a section view taken along the 3D-3D section lines from
Fig. 3, and
Figs. 3A-C are all taken using the same relative section lines as used for
Fig. 3D. Dashed
lines are used in Fig. 3B to illustrate the angular increment about which the
clamp is rotated
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to achieve the angular position shown in Figs. 3C, while Fig. 3D illustrates
the angular
position that is achieved by simply tightening the clamp from the position of
Fig. 3B.
[0015] Fig. 4 is an end view of a downhole end of an arcuate part forming
the top
half of the cable protector clamp of Fig. I.
[0016]
Fig. 4A is a top plan view of the arcuate part shown in Fig. 4.
[0017] Fig. 4B is a side view of the arcuate part shown in Fig. 4.
[0018] Fig. 4C is a section view taken along the 4C-4C section lines from
Fig. 4A.
[0019] Fig. 4D is a section view taken along the 4D-D section lines from
Fig. 4.
[0020] Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an arcuate part forming the base half
of the cable
protector clamp of Fig. 1.
[0021] Fig. 5A is a section view taken along the 5A-5A section lines from
Fig. 5.
[0022] Fig. 5B is a section view taken along the 5B-5B section lines from
Fig. 5.
[0023] Fig. 5C is an end view of a downhole end of the arcuate part of
Fig. 5.
[0024] Fig. 5D is a section view taken along the 5D-5D section lines from
Fig. 5.
[0025] Fig. 5E is a bottom plan view of the arcuate part of Fig. 5.
[0026] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an arcuate part of another embodiment
of the base
half of a cable protector clamp.
[0027] Fig. 6A is a section view taken along the 6A-6A section lines from
Fig. 6.
[0028] Fig. 6B is a section view taken along the 6B-6B section lines from
Fig. 6.
[0029] Fig. 6C is an end view of the uphole end of the arcuate part of
Fig. 6.
[0030] Fig. 6D is a side view of the arcuate part of Fig. 6.
[0031] Fig. 6E is a bottom plan view of the arcuate part of Fig. 6.
[0032] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of an arcuate part of another embodiment
of the base
half of a cable protector clamp.
[0033] Fig. 7A is a section view taken along the 7A-7A section lines from
Fig. 7.
[0034] Fig. 7B is a section view taken along the 7B-7B section lines from
Fig. 7.
[0035] Fig. 7C is an end view of the uphole end of the arcuate part of
Fig. 7.
[0036] Fig. 7D is a section view taken along the 7D-7D section lines from
Fig. 7.
[0037] Fig. 7E is a bottom plan view of the arcuate part of Fig. 7.
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[0038] Fig. 8 is atop plan view of an arcuate part of another embodiment
of the base
half of a cable protector clamp.
[0039] Fig. 8A is a section view taken along the 8A-8A section lines from
Fig. 8,
showing a pair of bolts from an array of flange bolts of an adjacent well
tubular.
[0040] Fig. 8B is a section view taken along the 8B-8B section lines from
Fig. 8.
[0041] Fig. 8C is a end view of the uphole end of the arcuate part of Fig.
8.
[0042] Fig. 8D is a section view taken along the 8D-8D section lines from
Fig. 8.
[0043] Fig. 8E is a bottom plan view of the arcuate part of Fig. 8.
[0044] Fig. 9 .is a top plan view of an arcuate part of another embodiment
of the base
half of a cable protector clamp.
[0045] Fig. 9A is a section view taken along the 9A-9A section lines from
Fig. 9.
[0046] Fig. 9B is a section view taken along the 9B-9B section lines from
Fig. 9.
[0047] Fig. 9C is an end view of the downhole end of arcuate part of Fig.
9.
[0048] Fig. 9D is a section view taken along the 9D-9D section lines from
Fig. 9.
[0049] Fig. 9E is a bottom plan view of the arcuate part of Fig. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
[0051] Cables, including solid and hollow body cables, are used for
various purposes
in a downhole tubing string. A cable may serve as a power line, for example a
conductor
that transmits electrical power to a downhole component. A cable may also
serve as a control
line for sending and receiving control signals to and from various pieces of
downhole
equipment. A cable may also operate as a chemical line, which supplies or
removes fluids to
a piece of downhole equipment or for injection at a particular location in the
well.
[0052] A cable that runs along the external surfaces of a downhole tubing
string may
incur damage from contact with the wellbore, casing, or edges and joints of
the tubing string.
To protect the cable from damage, a cable protector clamp may be mounted
around the
tubing string to hold the cable against the tubing string. A cable protection
clamp will restrict
the movement of the cable and maintain the cable in position along the
external surfaces of
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the tubing string to minimize the chance of snagging or hooking of the cable.
A clamp may
also be used to maintain tension in the cable to keep the cable tight against
the tubing string
between clamps.
[0053] A motor lead extension (MLE) cable may be used to provide power and
control to an electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. An ESP assembly may be
used in
oil production or other applications as a mechanism to provide artificial lift
to bring well
fluids to surface. Referring to Fig. 2, an ESP assembly 18 may comprise a
suitable array of
components such as a pump discharge tubing joint 37, one or more pumps 20, a
gas avoider
22, one or more seal sections 24 and 26, a motor 28 for the pump 20, and a
centralizer 30.
Each ESP assembly 18 component may be housed within its own respective
cylindrical outer
housing. The MLE cable 32 often extends from surface to motor 28, which drives
the pump
20 to pump oil from a reservoir up to the surface. Referring to Figs. 3D and
9E, an MLE
cable 32 may comprise various cables, such as cables 32A-C, which may be
housed within a
flexible metal jacket 32D.
[0054] Most damage to an MLE cable occurs during the process of moving the
ESP
assembly 18 into a downhole operating location. During downhole travel,
particularly when
entering the wellhead or traversing a build portion of a horizontal well,
contact between the
MLE cable and the casing, wellbore, or tubing string may chafe, wear, cut
through,
compromise, and in some cases destroy the MLE cable. A worn or damaged MLE
cable may
restrict or prevent prciper operation of motor 28, or may be more susceptible
to premature
failure during operations thus limiting the operating life of the ESP
assembly.
[0055] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3D, a cable protector clamp 10 is
illustrated
comprising an arcuate part or parts, such as a top half 12 and a base half 14,
shaped to mate
with one another. The halves 12 and 14 may mate in use to define a well
tubular passage
16A for example by forming a collar 15 (Fig. 3D). Base half 14 and top half 12
are examples
of first and second arcuate parts, although more than two arcuate parts may be
used, the
arcuate parts need not each form a half of a ring, and the arcuate parts need
not have the
same angular length, from radial end to radial end, as one another. Referring
to Fig. 1, one or
more of top and base halves 12 and 14 of cable protector clamp 10 may define
an axial cable
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channel 48, which may be shaped to retain a cable such as an MLE cable 32
running in an
axial direction along an external surface of a well tubular 16.
[0056] One or more of the arcuate parts, in this case top and base halves
12 and 14,
may define an angular lock 34. In some cases, axial cable channel 48 is
defined on base half
14 and angular lock 34 is formed on top half 12. Referring to Fig. 2, in use
the clamp 10 may
be assembled around an ESP assembly- 18, although clamp 10 may be used in
other
downhole applications. Referring to Fig. 2, cable protector clamp 10 may be
positioned
around a joint 39 (Fig. 3) between downhole sections of well tubular 16, for
example as
illustrated by the different positions of clamps l 0A-E.
[0057] Referring to Figs. 3 and 3A-D, angular lock 34 (Fig. 3B) may be
shaped to
engage one or more bolts in an array of bolts 36 of a flange 38 (Fig. 3) of
well tubular 16 to
angularly lock cable protector clamp 10. Referring to Figs. 3C-D, the clamp 10
may be
locked relative to one or more bolts in the array of bolts 36, in a range of
angular positions.
The range of angular positions may each be separated from adjacent positions
by increments
of less than the angular distance between central axes of adjacent bolts in
the array of bolts
36. The number of potential angular positions may be greater than the number
of bolts in the
array of bolts 36..The clamp 10 may be structured to permit 360 degrees of
angular positions
about the well tubular.
[0058] Angular lock 34 may be structured to secure cable protector clamp
10 relative
to the array of bolts 36 via a suitable mechanism. Referring to Fig. 3D,
angular lock 34 may
comprise a plurality of fingers 34A, which may be extended in respective
radial directions
42. Each of the plurality flingers 34A may point in a respective radially
inward direction
from a respective base 34B to a respective tip 34C. Angular lock 34 may
comprise a radially
inward facing surface 34D that is indented to form the plurality of fingers
34A. Angular lock
34 may facilitate alignment of plural cable clamps 10 that are axially spaced
from one
another along the well tubular, such that the respective cable channels 48 may
be axially
aligned to limit twisting of a cable 32 running through the channels 48.
Referring to Fig. 2,
an example is shown of a plurality of axially spaced clamps 10 whose cable
channels 48 (not
shown) are axially aligned to permit MLE cable 32 to pass through the clamps
in a straight
line along the well tubular.
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[0059] Referring to Fig. 3D, radially inward facing surface 34D of channel
48 may
be indented with Scalloping. Scalloping provides a shape that self-corrects
and guides the
clamp into one of the potential angular positions upon tightening. A scalloped
surface may
define ramps between finger bases 34B and tips 34C that serve to guide cable
protector
clamp 10 into one of the angular positions of the range of angular positions
during a
clamping operation, for example as top and base halves 12 and 14 tighten
around well
tubular 16. In some cases, as the top and base halves 12 and 14 tighten
together, a tip 34C of
one of the fingers 34A may traverse an external surface of a bolt in the array
of bolts 36 to
position the bolt against a base 34B between adjacent tips 34C. The shape of
each scallop
may be selected to correspond with the shape of the bolt 36, for example if
the scallops each
define a bolt receiving cavity that has the shape of a longitudinally sliced
cylinder of same or
similar diameter as the diameter of the target bolt 36. The radially inward
facing surface 34D
may also be indented to follow the geometric shape of the heads of bolts 36,
for example if
surface 34D has a plurality of partially hexagonal or octagonal indents.
Scalloping may
prevent radial and axial slippage.
[0060] The clamp 10 may be structured to permit fine tuning of the angular
position
of the clamp 10 and cable channel 48, while the clamp 10 is unclamped or
loosely clamped
by securing both sets of radial ends together. The ability to fine tune the
angular position of
the cable channel may provide flexibility and precision in aligning cable
channels of axially
spaced clamps when compared with a clamp that permits only rough angular
positioning.
The ability to fine tune position may improve cable reliability and extend
cable life. Other
clamps may need to be removed to perform angular adjustments at all, or
angular
adjustments past a certain angular distance.
[0061] The angular distance separating adjacent positions may be
controlled by
adjusting the separation of adjacent fingers 34A. For example, in the
scalloping arrangement
of Fig. 3B a finger base 34B of a scallop is separated from a finger base 34B
of a radially
adjacent scallop by an angular distance 35 that defines the increment about
which fine tuning
may be carried out. Referring to Fig. 3B, the range of angular positions may
each be
separated from adjacent positions by an angular distance 35, which is equal to
one half or
less, for example one third or one fourth, of the angular distance between
axes 36A of
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adjacent bolts in the array of bolts 36. An angular separation of7E/X or less,
where X = the
number of bolts in the array of bolts, such as 7E/6, 7E/10 or 7E/12, between
adjacent positions
may be used. In the example shown in Figs. 3A-D, a 7E/12 angular separation is
used for a
twelve-bolt arrangement, although other distances and non-zero increments may
be used.
The clamp 10 may be adapted for use with flanges that carry other suitable
numbers of bolts,
for example four six, eight, ten, twelve or more or less bolts, usually but
not always
depending on the outer diameter of the tubular.
[0062] Base half 14 of cable protector clamp 10 may be connected to top
half 12 of
cable protector clamp 10 via a suitable hinge mechanism or mechanisms.
Referring to Fig. 1,
top half 12 may comprise first and second radial ends 12A and 12B and base
half 14 may
comprise first and second radial ends 14A and 14B. One or more of first and
second radial
ends 12A and 12B and first and second radial ends 14A and 14B may comprise a
hinge
mechanism. A hinge mechanism may permit cable protector clamp 10 to be opened
and
closed as a pair of jaws around well tubular 16, thereby facilitating both a)
installation after
assembly of the tubing string and connection between adjacent components, b)
removal
without requiring disassembly of components.
[0063] One or both of halves 12/14 may locate respective radial ends, and
hinges, on
respective collar posts. For example, collar posts 12C and 12D of top half 12
may depend to
define first and second radial ends 12A and 12B. Collar posts I4C and 14D of
base half 14
may extend to define first and second radial ends 14A and 14B of base half 14.
[0064] Referring to Fig. 1, when cable protector clamp 10 is in a clamped
position,
first and second radial ends 14A and 14B of base half 14 may mate with first
and second
radial ends 12A and 12B of top half 12 via first and second bolt and barrel
nut connections,
respectively. Referring to Fig. 3D, a barrel nut 44B of the first bolt and
respective barrel nut
connection may be located in a barrel nut receiving slot 44C defined in first
radial end 14A
of the base half 14. A first bolt 44A may be mounted to protector clamp 10 via
a bolt mount
44D defined in first radial end 12A of top half 12.
[0065] Referring to Figs. 3A, 3C, and 4A, bolt mount 44D may define a
lateral or
radial slot 44E to permit bolt 44A to swing out of and into engagement with
bolt mount 44D
when cable protector clamp 10 is out of a clamped position (Fig. 3A). A barrel
nut 46B of
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the second bolt and barrel nut connection may be located in a barrel nut
receiving slot 46C
defined in second end 14B of the base half 14. Second bolt 46A may be mounted
to protector
clamp 10 via a bolt mount 46D defined in second end 12B of top half 12. Bolt
mount 46D
may or may not define a radial slot to permit swinging of bolt 46A, and bolt
mount 44D may
lack a radial slot in some cases.
[0066] Referring to Figs. 3A-D, a clamp 10 may be arranged, angularly
adjusted, and
clamped, in a suitable fashion. Referring to Figs. 3A-B, clamp 10 may first be
loosely closed
around the well tubular 16, for example by swinging arcuate parts 12 and 14
together as jaws
about a hinge nut 46B. Referring to Figs. 3B and 3D, bolt 44A may be swung up
to engage
bolt mount 44D to enclose the well tubular 16 either tightly (Fig. 3D) or
loosely (Fig. 3B).
Referring to Figs. 3B-3D, if the bolts 44A and 46A are secured in a loose
configuration as
shown, the next stages may involve tightening the bolts 44A and 46A to clamp
the tubular 16
in the angular position assumed (Fig. 3D), or angularly adjusting the position
of the clamp
10, for example about an increment shown by angle 35, and then clamping by
tightening the
bolts (Fig. 3C). Angular positioning may be carried out without securing both
bolts, for
example by first resting the angular lock 34 on bolts 36, and then securing
the clamp 10
together. Bolt 46A may be fully or loosely tightened when bolt 44A is
connected to barrel
nut 44B. ln some cases a first of arcuate parts 12 or 14 is positioned on the
well tubular 16,
and the other of parts 12 or 14 is then connected to the first arcuate part,
for example by
connecting the radial ends of parts 12 and 14 together.
[0067] Axial cable channel 48 may be defined in a suitable fashion.
Referring to
Figs. 3D and Fig. 5, cable channel 48 may be structured to open radially to
well tubular 16
and well tubular passage 16A in use. For example, cable channel 48 may be
formed in a
radially inward facing surface 48C of cable protector clamp 10. Opening the
channel 48 to
the well tubular may permit that clamp 10 to adopt a lower radial profile
relative to well
tubular 16 by hugging the cable 32 tightly against the external surfaces of
the well tubular 16
without parts positioned between the cable and well tubular. The cable channel
48 may be
structured to align with the adjacent tubulars defined about a joint 39 so
that radial outward
or inward bending of cable 32 across the junction between tubulars is
minimized, by
permitting the cable 32 to smoothly follow from the external surface of one
tubular to the
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external surface of the next tubular. The internal dimensions of cable channel
48 may be
shaped to correspond.to, for example match or conform to, the exterior shape
of MLE cable
32 to permit a tight fit around the exterior of MLE cable 32.
[0068] Referring to Figs. 5 and 5E, one or more of the arcuate parts, for
example
base half 14, may comprise an arcuate plate 50 that defines the cable channel
48. Referring
to Fig. 5C the arcuate plate 50 may have a shape that follows the arcuate
shape of the collar
15 when viewed down the axis of the clamp 10. Referring to Figs. 5, and 5E,
the plate 50
may extend the cable channel 48 beyond the axial ends 15A, 15B of collar 15,
such that an
axial length 69 between axial ends 48A, B, of the cable channel 48 is longer
than an axial
length 67 between axial ends 15A, 15B, of collar 15. A ratio of axial length
69 of cable
channel 48 to an axial length 67 of collar 15 may be four or more to one.
Other larger and
smaller ratios may be used. The cable channel length 69 may be six inches or
longer,
although longer or shorter lengths may be used. The arcuate plate 50 protects
MLE cable 32
beyond merely the axial dimensions of collar 15. The plate 50 may extend onto
the tubular
housings of adjacent Parts in the ESP assembly, thus shielding the cable 32
from pinching
contact between the wellbore and the terminal edges of the ESP components. The
arcuate
plate 50 (Fig. 5) may have an axial length 68 of seven decimal five inches or
more, although
longer and shorter lengths may be used.
[0069] Referring to Fig. 5, arcuate plate 50 may employ guide arms located
on
opposed lateral sides at the entry and exit points of the cable channel 48.
Each axial end 50A
and 50B of arcuate plate 50 may be defined by a respective pair of guide arms
52A and 52B.
Each respective pair of guide arms 52A, 52B may be laterally spaced to define
cable channel
48 and may extend in a respective axial direction beyond a respective axial
end 48A or 48B
of cable channel 48. Each pair of guide arms 52A and 52B may define the
lateral bounds of
cable channel 48 to guide MLE cable 32 into and out of cable channel 48, and
shield MLE
cable 32 from lateral contact with wellbore debris or components, such as
casing joints.
Referring to Fig. 5A, cable channel 48 may have a suitable angular width such
as twenty or
more degrees, for example twenty-five or more degrees, defined at a base 48G
of cable
channel 48 between lateral sides 48E-F of cable channel 48. Other larger or
smaller angular
widths may be used.
12
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
[0070] Referring to Fig. 5D, each axial end 48A and 48B of cable channel
48 may
have a nose whose shape follows that of a cone, for example around an angular
width of the
arcuate plate 50 (see Fig. 5C). Referring to Figs. 5 and 5D, each axial end
48A and 48B of
cable channel 48 may be defined by a respective bridge 48D that spans or
connects a
respective pair of guide arms 52A and 52B. Referring to Figs. 5D and 5E,
external surfaces
56 of each respective.pair of guide arms 52A and 52B and external surfaces 54
of a
respective bridge 48D may collectively form a respective cone-shaped nose 57.
Referring to
Figs. 5 and 5E, each respective cone-shaped nose 57 may narrow in lateral
width with
increasing axial distance from collar 15 when viewed from a plane (defined by
the page of
the drawing in Fig. 5E) that that is perpendicular to a plane 41 that passes
through both an
axis 40 (not shown) of the well tubular passage and a center axis 48H of the
cable channel
48.
[0071] Referring to Figs. 5D and 5E, the external surfaces of arcuate
plate 50 may be
dimensioned to reduce snagging. For example, the external surfaces of plate 50
may be
tapered. Each respective cone-shaped nose 57 may be tapered with an angle 58
of thirty-five
degrees or less, such as an angle of twenty-five degrees or less, relative to
an axis 40 of well
tubular passage 16A. Shallow tapering may reduce snagging between clamp 10 and
debris or
projections, such ,as casing joints, within the wellbore. Referring to Figs. 1
and 5D, arcuate
plate 50 may have a Cylindrical external shape along the axial length of an
axial part 60 of
the arcuate plate underlying the cable channel 48. The cylindrical external
shape may be
defined across a full angular width of the arcuate plate 50.
[0072] Cable protector clamp 10 may be structured to clamp around well
tubular
components of different outer diameters. Referring to Fig. 5 and 5D, radially
inward facing
surface 48C, which defines cable channel 48, may taper with decreasing
distance from an
axis 40 of well tubular passage 16A when moving from one axial end 48B of
cable channel
48 to another axial end 48A of cable channel 48. Such tapering may facilitate
the positioning
of the cable 32 across the transition between different sized components, for
example by
directing cable 32 radially outward from a smaller to a larger diameter well
tubular.
Cylindrical axial part 60 may underlie a tapered cable channel 48 between well
tubulars of
13
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
different outer diameters, serving to keep the outer diameter of cable
protector clamp 10
consistent across the transition to avoid snagging.
[0073] Referring to Fig. 5E, arcuate plate 50 may define a centralizer
guide slot 62 at
one or both axial ends of cable channel 48, for example at axial end 48B.
Guide slot 62 may
contact the lateral sides of the cable 32 on exit or entry, for example, with
notches 64 on
either side of centralizer guide slot 62, to restrict lateral shifting of
cable 32 during entry or
exit. Centralizer guide 62 may be located at an axial end of the cable channel
48 that is
shaped to overlie a well tubular of relatively larger diameter than the well
tubular that is
located at the other axial end of channel 48, or the configuration may be
reversed, or guides
located on both axial .channel ends,
[0074] Referring to Fig. 5, base half 14 of cable protector clamp 10 may
comprise
one or more, for example a pair, of axial capillary line channels 3IA and 31B.
Referring to
Fig. 5A, axial capillary line channels 31 may be defined adjacent respective
opposed lateral
sides 48E, F of cable channel 48. Channels 3 IA, B may be located in
respective opposed
angular directions relative to axial cable channel 48 as shown. Referring to
Fig. 5, each of
the pair of axial capillary line channels 31A, B, may be defined by a
respective pair of slots
or channels 3IA and 31B located at respective axial ends 48A and 48B of cable
channel 48
and separated by a respective axial void 31C that forms part of cable channel
48. The void
31C may be positioned between projections or nubs 31E (Fig. 5B) that form the
walls that
define the slots 31A and 31B. Referring to Figs. 3D, 5A and 5B, each channel
31A, 31B may
be structured with a deep enough well to enclose more than half of the
diameter of a line 32
positioned within a respective channel, with such diameter understood to be
defined along a
radius 90 (Fig. 3) of well tubular passage 16A. A void may be used to save
material and
remove the need to align the cable 32 within an axial channel that extends
along the entire
axial length of the clamp. Nubs
[0075] Referring to Fig. 3D, a capillary line 33, such as a stainless
steel injection
line, may be used to supply chemicals, such as acid, or other fluids, such as
lubrication
fluids, to a component in the ESP assembly, or for direct injection into the
wellbore at a
desired location, or may be used for other purposes. In some cases, other
types of cables such
as additional power or control cables may run in one or both cap channels 31A,
B. Referring
14
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
=
to Fig. 5A, an angular width 65 of cable channel 48 may be smaller than an
angular width 66
of cable channel 48 plus adjacent capillary line channels 31. The capillary
line channels
shown are 3/8 inch on one side and a 1/4 inch line on the other side, although
other sizes may
be used.
[0076] Referring to Fig. 2, clamps 10 may be arrayed along an electric
submersible
pump assembly 18 connected to a tubing string within a production well of a
steam assisted
gravity drainage (SAGD) well pair. In a SAGD operation, a first horizontal
well is drilled
parallel to a second horizontal well, with one well (injection well) above and
in close
proximity to the other well (production well) to form a SAGD well pair. Steam
is released
from the injection well to heat heavy hydrocarbons, such as bitumen, contained
in the
formation, decreasing the viscosity of the hydrocarbons to permit same to flow
into
production well 17 via gravity. Once in the production well 17, the
hydrocarbons are
pumped to surface via the ESP assembly 18. An ESP assembly 18 may also be used
in
applications other than SAGD, for example any vertical, horizontal, or
deviated well, that
uses an artificial lift system.
[0077] Referring to Figs. 8, 8A, and 8D, the collar 15 may comprise a part
that
projects in an axial direction off the collar 15 to act as a stop that abuts
or rests in close
proximity with a flange of one of the adjacent downhole tubulars. In the
example shown the
flange that part 70 contacts would be a flange lacking bolts. The stop
prevents or restricts the
anti-rotation device on the top half 12 from sliding axially off of the bolts
in the event that
the clamp is loosened. Thus the length between the axial ends of the collar
may be sized to
correspond with the separation distance between the flanges of the adjacent
well tubulars.
[0078] In some cases, base half 14 comprises a bolt engaging part, such as
ears or
fingers, for locking cable protecting clamp 10 in an angular position relative
to bolts 36 in
the array of bolts. In one case a base half 14 with a bolt engaging part is
combined with top
half 12 of Fig. 1 such that both top and base halves 12 and 14 engage bolts 36
in the array of
bolts to retain cable 32. Referring to Fig. 5, in other cases, base half 14
may be shaped to
permit free angular rotation about well tubular 16, for example through an
infinite range of
angular positions. It should be understood that a base half 14 that permits
free rotation would
not permit the clamp to rotate were the clamp tightened to engage angular lock
34 on top half
=
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
=
12. The base half 14 may lack any features that provide an angular lock, which
may or may
not be provided on other arcuate parts that form the clamp 10.
= =
16
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
[0079] Table 1: Example dimensions of base halves 14 of respective cable
protector
clamps 10 of Figs. 5-9 (all lengths in inches, all angular widths in degrees).
Model Ref. Length Length Length of Length of Length Angular Angular
num of of of cable cylindrical of cable width 65 width
65
clamp cable cable channel axial part protector of
cable of cable
in Fig. channel channel 48 60 clamp channel channel
2 48 48 downhole 10 48 48
uphole of collar (excluding (excluding
of 15 capillary
capillary
collar line line
15 channels channels
31) at 31) at
uphole downhole
channel channel
end end
450- 10A 6.100 2.356 2.356 5.132 8.350 27.000 24.000
538
(Fig.
5)
538- may 6.100 2.355 2.355 5.130 7.600 29.000 29.000
538 appear
(Fig. between
6) pump to
pump
junction
if two
or more
pumps
present
538- 10B 6.100 2.355 2.355 5.130 7.600 25.000 24.000
513
(Fig.
7)
513- 10C 6.100 2.355 2.355 5.130 7.600 24.000 25.000
513
(Fig.
8)
538- 10D 4.000 1.472 1.135 3.877 6.600 48.000 44.000
513 and 10E
(motor
leads)
(Fig.
9)
17
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
[0080] Table 2: Further example dimensions of base halves 14 of respective
cable
protector clamps 10 of Figs. 5-9 (all lengths and thicknesses in inches, all
angular widths and
angles in degrees).
Model Angular Angular Length Maximum Maximum Taper Taper
width 66 width 66 of thickness thickness angle 58 angle 58
of cable of cable collar of cable of cable of cone-
of cone-
channel channel 15 channel channel shaped shaped
48 . 48 48 at 48 at nose 57 nose 57 of
including including uphole downhole of cable cable
capillary capillary channel channel channel channel
line line end end 48 at 48 at
channels channels uphole downhole
31 at 31 at channel channel
uphole downhole end end
channel channel
end end
450-538 46.000 47.000 1.375 0.673 0.252 24.000 30.000
(Fig. 5)
538-538 57.000 56.000 1.375 0.252 0.252 30.000 30.000
(Fig. 6)
538-513 45.000 46.000 1.375 0.252 0.378 34.000 25.000
(Fig. 7)
513-513 46.000 45.000 1.376 0.378 0.378 30.000 28.000
(Fig. 8)
538-513 1.375 0.252 0.378 34.000 37.000
(motor
leads)
(Fig. 9)
[0081] The model numbers provided in Tables 1 and 2 refer to the sizes
(outer
diameters) of well tubulars for which the clamp is intended to fit between.
For example, the
numbers 450 and 538 in model 450-538 refer to the fact that the cable
protector clamp 10 has
an uphole end designed to fit a well tubular with an outer diameter of 4.5
inches, and a
downhole end deSigned to fit a well tubular with an outer diameter of 5.38
inches. Some
models, such as models 538-538 and 513-513, are designed to fit between
tubulars of the
same outer diameter.
[0082] In the examples shown, top and base halves 12 and 14 of cable
protector
clamp 10 each have a semi-cylindrical shape. In some cases, top and base
halves 12 and 14
18
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
form a cage assembly around well tubular 16. ln some cases, one or more of top
and base
halves 12 and 14 engage both uphole and downhole facing annular flanges. The
collar may
have a ring, U, horse-shoe, or split-ring shape when the arcuate parts are
assembled around
the well tubular. Angular lock 34 may comprise axial holes, for example
circular or
hexagonal holes, that match bolt head profiles of bolts in the array of bolts
36. Parts 12 and
14 may be made my suitable methods, such as investment casting.
[0083] The plurality of fingers 34A of angular lock 34 may be oriented to
point
radially outward, inward, or both outward and inward. Finger bases 34B may be
located
about a periphery of one or more of top and base halves 12 and 14. Angular
lock 34 may be
defined on the top, base or both halves 12, and 14, or on one or more other
arcuate parts.
Fingers of the plurality of fingers 34A may be separated from adjacent fingers
of the
plurality of fingers 34A by increments based on the positions of bolts, bolt
holes or both
bolts and bolt holes of the annular flange. In some cases, collar posts 14C
and 14D define an
entire axial length of base half 14. Referring to Fig. 9E, at or near a motor
end of MLE cable
32, jacket 32D may be removed to expose power and control cables 32A-C.
[0084] Capillary line channel 31 may be used to direct chemicals, such as
suspension
agents or friction reducers, to a downhole region of wellbore 17. Chemicals
and fluids may
be used to loosen settled sand or prevent sand from settling. Capillary line
channel 31 may
run through the entire axial length of base half 14 or form a pair of
relatively short axially
aligned channels located at opposed axial ends 50A and 50B of arcuate plate
50. There may
be two or less or more capillary line channels 31. Radially inward facing
surface 48C of
cable channel 48 may be planar or curved along an axial direction. Channels 31
and 48 form
cradles for respective.cables. Axial ends of the cable channel may be defined
by respective
knife edges.
[0085] The downhole tubing string may be defined by jointed or coiled
tubing, or
other types of tubing. Dimensions in the tables above are based on 4.5 to 5.5
inch diameter
tubing but may be scaled up or down to correspond with other sizes of tubing.
In this
document, the term axial may refer to an orientation relative to an axis 40 of
well tubular
passage 16A. The uphole and downhole ends of the base half 14, the top half
12, or other
19
CA 02937254 2016-07-28
arcuate parts, may be symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to axis 40 and
centered on
collar 15. A cable may house a conductor. Scalloping could be provided on base
half 14.
[0086] The clamps 10 may be used in production, exploration, completion,
or other
applications, and in oil, gas, water, or other types of wells. A conical shape
of nose 57 may
refer to the fact that the external surfaces follow the shape of a
frustoconical part sliced
longitudinally by a plane parallel to an axis of the cone. The cable channel
may be an axial
hole, fully enclosed about the circumference of the cable so that cable is
separated from and
does not contact the well tubular. Tapering includes, curved, straight,
stepped, or
combinations of the foregoing, or other shapes. Terms such as up, down, top,
base,
downhole, uphole, and others are intended to have relative meanings and are
not restricted to
being defined with respect to the direction of gravitational acceleration on
the Earth.
[0087] In-the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense
and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of
the individual
features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by
virtue only
of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as
defined by the
claims.
