Patent ID: 8955598
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for pumping a gaseous well fluid, comprising: a shroud supported by a string of tubing within a well to define an outer annulus surrounding the shroud, the shroud having an upper section and a lower section sealed from one another, the upper section having an upper inlet and a gas outlet; a submersible pump housed within the upper section of the shroud and having an upper end for connection to the string of tubing; a gas separator connected to a lower end of the pump and housed within the upper section of the shroud; the gas separator having an intake at a lower end of the gas separator in fluid communication with well fluid in the shroud entering through the upper inlet, the gas separator having a liquid outlet in fluid communication with an intake of the pump, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the gas outlet in the shroud; a motor housed within the lower section of the shroud, the motor being coupled to the gas separator for driving the gas separator and the pump; and a well fluid lower inlet in the shroud below the motor and a well fluid lower outlet in the lower section of the shroud above the motor for flowing well fluid into the shroud and past the motor to the well fluid lower outlet.