Electric Submersible Pump Cables for Harsh Environments

摘要

A cable for supplying power to an electric submersible pump (ESP) includes a helically disposed electrical conductor, at least one polymer layer extruded to embed the helically disposed electrical conductor, and a seam-welded metallic tube drawn over the hard polymer layer, all providing resistance to corrosive chemicals at high downhole pressures and temperatures. In an implementation, the helical disposition of cable components, added cushioning polymers and geometry, and a non-leaded metallic tube compensate for stress and differential thermal expansion to keep the cable protected from intrusion of corrosive chemicals. An example method of manufacture includes extruding a polymer layer to embed the helically disposed electrical conductor, seam-welding a metal strip to form a metallic tube around the polymer layer, and drawing the metallic tube down to fit tightly around the polymer layer.