Patent ID: 7823640
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An automated system for the safety testing of a wellhead piping flowline employed for the distribution of a fluid stream of gas and/or oil pressurized by a downhole electric submersible pump (ESP), the system comprising: a. a surface safety shut-off valve (SSV) positioned in the flowline and in fluid communication with the ESP; b. a pre-programmed safety logic solver (SLS) for conducting a safety test protocol and recording the results electronically, and for issuing emergency shut-down signals; c. a plurality of pressure sensors for measuring the internal flowline pressure upstream of the SSV; d. a valve actuator for closing the SSV in response to either a test-initiating signal or an emergency shut-down signal transmitted by the SLS and for opening the SSV in response to a signal transmitted by the SLS; e. a variable speed drive controller operatively connected to the ESP for varying the speed of the ESP, and thereby the pressure of the fluid in the flowline, in response to a signal from the SLS and f. an emergency ESP shut-off switch for interrupting power to the ESP in response to an emergency shut-down signal from the SLS.