Patent ID: 6615926
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method of pumping well fluid from a well having casing with perforations by using a pump assembly that includes a pump having an intake defining a flowpath from the perforations to the intake, the pump being coupled to a downhole motor that is suspended in the flowpath upstream of the intake of the pump, the pump assembly being suspended on and discharging well fluid into a string of tubing, the string of tubing and the pump assembly being surrounded by a well annulus, the method comprising:(a) shutting off the motor and allowing well fluid from the perforations to rise in the well annulus to a static level; (b) starting the motor to cause the pump to operate; then (c) reducing downward flow of the well fluid in the well annulus to the intake by an amount sufficient to increase well fluid flow through the perforations past the motor for cooling the motor during initial starting of the pump.