Patent ID: 8267171
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: E21B,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring a power system of an electrical submersible pump assembly, the method comprising: monitoring an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage at a neutral point of a motor of an electrical submersible pump assembly, the electrical submersible pump assembly including a pump in the well bore, the motor located in the well bore and attached to the pump, a power source located at the surface, and a power cable to connect the motor to power source; transmitting the alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage to the surface; wherein the step of transmitting the alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage to the surface involves transmitting one or more of the following: a peak-to-peak electrical imbalance voltage, and an average electrical imbalance voltage; analyzing the alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage; and adjusting an operation of the electrical submersible pump assembly responsive to the analyzed alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage.