Introduction to Protectors

Protector Functions• The Protector has five primary functions:

– Couples the torque developed in the motor to the intake via the protector shaft.

– Prevents entry of well fluid into the motor.– Provides pressure equalization.– Houses the bearing to carry the down thrust developed

by the pump(s).– Provides a reservoir for the thermal expansion of the

motor’s oil

Protector Types

• Labyrinth - uses the difference in specific gravity of the well fluid and the motor oil to keep them apart even though they are in direct contact

• Positive Seal – designed to physically separate the well fluid and motor oil– Elastomer bag– Metal bellows

Protector Components

FilterThrust Bearing

Bag Chamber

Shaft Seal

Bearing

Labyrinth Type Protectors

• Protector oil specific gravity is .85• As long as well bore SG is heavier, labyrinth path

works to isolate motor fluid from well bore• Labyrinth type protectors not recommended to be

installed in a deviated or cycling well– Ineffective in well bore deviations > 55 degrees– Excessive cycling reduces protector ability to isolate

fluids

STARTSTOPSTARTSTOPEXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

EXCESSIVE

STARTING STOPPING OCCURS

LABYRINTH TYPE PROTECTOR

HOW DOES IT WORK

MotorOnce well fluid enters motor it’s

only a matter of time before it burns

Protector

Intake

Labyrinth Protectors

- Limitations

There will be cases where a labyrinth will simplynot work. In cases where the well fluid is lightergravity than the motor oil (i.e. about 0.85), themotor oil will go to the bottom of the chamber rather than the top causing the motor fluid tobe displaced by well fluid pretty quickly.

Labyrinth Protectors also will not work in horizontal or highlydeviated wells. The gravity separation design requires the unitto be mostly upright. This Protector can operate in some amountof deviation but the expansion volume is somewhat reduced.

Labyrinth Protectors

- Limitations

Positive Seal Type Protectors• Elastomer bag creates a positive barrier to well

bore• Bag expands and contracts to meet motor demand• Check value opens at 3-5 psi to release pressures

inside bag.• Elastomer must be selected to match well

temperature and fluid properties• Works in vertical or deviated wells• Should never be rerun

Protector

START

3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI3–5 PSI

STOPSTART

3–5 PSI

STOPTorn or leak

(Could be seal failure)

Positive Seal Protector

How does it work ?

Bags Contract

due to chemicals

LSBPB(Labyrinth Series Bag Parallel Bag)

MOTOR GETS BURNED

Temperature increaseTemperature decreaseTemperature increaseTemperature decrease

The positive seal Protector offers a great deal of flexibility and is useful in a wide variety of applications.

As with any oil field elastomer, care must be taken to ensure that the rubber will not be damaged by anything it will encounter in the well.

Positive Seal Protectors –

Limitations

Protector Elastomer Selection

Temp. Limit (Deg F)*

Water/OilHydrogen SulfideAminesPolar ChemicalsCarbon Dioxide

Nitrile250

11342

Carboxy-Nitrile275

13342

HSN300

113

1-22

Viton350

24434

Aflas400

11132

Neoprene

Relative Chemical Resistance Properties

Elastomer Application Guidelines

*Temperature Limit above indicates maximum operating temperature for thespecific compound. An elastomeric component will operate at atemperature higher than the well ambient temperature depending on its location in the equipment. Contact REDA for specific application assistance.

1 = Excellent long term resistance (very low swell/maintains very high physical properties)2 = Good long term resistance (moderate swell/maintains high physical properties)3 = Fair - depends upon exposure time and temperature (good short term resistance)4 = Poor - no resistance even in short term

Another function of the Protector is to absorb the thrust generated by the pump. It can either be upthrust or downthrust, depending on the pumping conditions.

Protector Function #2

Downthrustbearing

Upthrustbearing

ThrustRunner

The thrust bearing works on hydrodynamic lubrication principle. The runner carrying the thrust forces is riding on a hydrodynamic oil film created by the relative motion between the runner and the bearing.

There are three types of bearingReda offers.

Standard bearing – Babbitt (lead based)HL Bronze bearing - (9000 LBS – 540 series, 60 HZ)HL bearing – Polymer coated tilting pad bearing

(12000 LBS – 540 series, 60 HZ)

Protector Function #2

Downthrustbearing

Upthrustbearing

ThrustRunner

Reaction Force

One other function which the Protector carries out is transmission of the transmission of the motor torque to the pumpmotor torque to the pump since it is physically located between the two.

Protector Function #3

Modular Protectors – Naming Convention

• Modular protectors are a combination of several protector types– “L” type (Labyrinth)– “B” type (Elastomer Bag)– “M” type (Metal Bellows)

• Which are combined in …– “S” (series) – adds redundancy– “P” (parallel) – adds capacity

• HL designates “high load” thrust bearing

Modular Protectors

LSBPB BPBSLLSLSL

The Modular Protectors are available in:400 Series (4.00 "), 540 Series (5.13 ") and 562 Series (5.62 ").

Both the 540 and 562 series have the same top and bottom flange and can either be run on a 540 or 562 motor without adapters.

The 400 Series is designed to be run on the 456 Series motor without an adapter.

The Modular Protector

400 540 562

Modular Protector Application - Chamber Configuration

Assumes use of standard materials for configurations listed. Use normalguidelines for application of high load bearings and ferritic housings.

(A) Applicability improves with correct elastomers for higher temp. service, usually Aflas for seal elastomers, o-rings, & bags.(B) Those that deteriorate specific elastomers used.

Application Type L LSL LSLSL B LSB

Fluids (B)

LSBPB BSL BSBSL BPBSLBHT < 250 F250 F < BHT < 300 F

(A)G < 0.82Intermittent OperationDeviated WellMiscible Well FluidHP < 50HP < 150HP > 150Aggressive Well

4 4 4 4 4 4

4 4 44 44 4 44 4 4

44 4 4 44 4 4 4

1 = Excellent 2 = Good 3 = Fair 4 = PoorKey:

2 2 22

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2 2 22 2 2 2 2

2 2 22 22 22 2

1 1 1 1 1 1

11 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 1

3 333333

LSBSB

3

2

2

223

21133

Protector Bottomhole Temperature Limits

200 °F 225 °F 250 °F 275 °F 300 °F

400/456540/562400/456540/562

ModularStandar

dModularAFLAS

Advanced Protector

• Addresses protector performance in severe well conditions and is available in three different configurations – High Temp > 350 degF BHT– High H2S and chemical

resistant– Abrasive resistant

• Protects protector head (shaft seals and bearings) against abrasion and solids

• Improves protector shaft stability even in benign environments

Both HT and H2S configurations are using metal bellows to replace

the rubber bags