Schlumberger Private

ESP Introduction Training

Day 2
Protectors
 Protector Functions

Schlumberger Private
The Protector has four primary
functions:

• Prevents entry of well fluid into the

motor

• Provides pressure equalization to the

motor

• Houses the thrust bearing to carry the

downthrust developed by the pump

• Couples the torque developed in the

motor to the pump via the protector
 Protector Chambers: Labyrinth

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Labyrinth chamber relies on difference in SG
between motor oil and well fluids

Advantages
• Good in vertical wells
• Easily serviceable and re-usable
• Resistant to temperature and chemicals
• Inexpensive
Disadvantages
• Not applicable to highly deviated wells
• Not applicable if oil SG < 0.85SG (35 °API)
 Labyrinth
chamber

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Intake

EXCESSIV
STOP
START
STOP
START
Protecto E
r STARTING
STOPING
STOPPING
OCCURS

IF WELL FLUID
Motor
ENTERS THEN
MOTOR BURNS OUT
Protector Chambers: Bag

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A bag or positive seal provides a physical
barrier that separates the clean oil from the
contaminating well fluids.
Advantages
• Positive separation of well fluids from
motor oil
• Operates in vertical and deviated wells
• Operates regardless of well fluids SG
Disadvantages
• Rubber bags may be affected by
temperature, solids and chemicals
• Re-usage is limited
 Bag chamber

Schlumberger Private
3–5 PSI

START
STOP
Bags
contracts Torn or leak
due to
(Could be seal failure)
getting
less oil
inside

Temperature decrease
increase
MOTOR GETS
BURNED
Chamber Connection

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Parallel
– Results in a larger volume capacity, which is
necessary for high House Power applications
– Only possible with bags or bellows

Series
– Results in redundant seals
– Increases the reliability of protector
Protectors – Naming Convention

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• Modular are a combination of
several chamber types
– “L” type (Labyrinth)
– “B” type (Elastomer Bag)
– “M” type (Metal Bellows)
• Which are combined in …
– “S” (series) – adds
redundancy
– “P” (parallel) – adds
capacity
• Thrust bearings
– Upthrust/Downthrust (KTB/HL)
 Modular

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Protectors

LSLSL LSBPB BPBSL

 Protector Components

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Bearing

Shaft Seal

Bag Chamber

Thrust Bearing
Filter

10 Initials
 Mechanical Seals

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Prevent leak of fluids in between
chambers through the space between
shaft and protector body (seal body)
Seals main parts
– Silicon carbide sealing washer and
seal seat
– Monel spring
– HSN/Aflas bellows
Protector Metallurgy

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When choosing Protector metallurgy, use the same
guidelines as for pumps.
Housing Shaft
• Carbon Steel (1026 CS) • Monel K500
• Redalloy (9Cr, 1Mo) • HS Monel
– Upgrades: 316 SS, • Inconel 625
22Cr Duplex • Inconel 718

Head and Base

• Carbon Steel (8620 CS)
• Stainless Steel (416 SS)
Elastomers

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• HSN
• Aflas – Higher temperature and chemicals
resistance
Thrust Bearing

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• Thrust generated by the
pump determines thrust
bearing capability.
• Down thrust at zero flow
is to be considered as it
is the “worst case
scenario”
Thrust Bearing

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When selecting the thrust bearing, you must
consider:

• Temperature of operation
• The oil used in the protector
• The load rating
Thrust Bearing

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Abbreviation Full Name Properties
STB REDA Babbit • Bi-Directional
• Low temperature
NTB REDA Bronze • Bi-Directional
• Higher temperature
KTB KMC Bronze • Bi-Directional
• Higher load
• Higher temperature
HL High Load Tilt Pad • Uni-Directional
• Highest load
• Higher temperature

STB NTB KTB HL

Protector Oil

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Installation Purposes
• Refer to ALFORM-D for • Cool the motor and
correct procedure protector
• Minimize air bubbles • Lubrication
• Same oil as used in • Increases
motor efficiency/reduces power
loss
• Provides pressure
continuity/equilibrium
Protector Oil

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Motor Internal Oil Name Comments
Temperature
(F / C)
< 270 / 130 Reda # 3 Cold well applications
< 290 / 145 Reda # 2 Mineral Oil, recommended for
production of drinking water
< 360 / 180 Reda # 5 Default Motor oil in Dominator and
Maximus Series
< 400 / 204 Reda # 6 Viscous oil that requires motor
internal temperature to be in
between 300 and 400 F (150 to 204
C)
>400 / 204 Reda # 7 SAGD, Hotline Motors