Apparatus for protecting electrical connection from moisture in a hazardous area adjacent a wellhead barrier for an underground well

摘要

An apparatus for protecting an electrical connection from moisture in a hazardous area adjacent a wellhead barrier of a well enclosing well fluids. The connection is between a first electrical conductor extending from a non-hazardous area and a second electrical conductor extending through the wellhead barrier. The second conductor includes a conductive portion circumscribed by insulation. The first and second conductors are electrically and mechanically coupled to form a connection. A breather boot protects the connection from moisture, the breather boot including an inner cavity for containing the coupling. A first opening receives the first electrical conductor and a second opening receives the second electrical conductor within which the insulation is terminated. A header space is located where the insulation is terminated within the second opening, and a glass block seal passage is formed adjacent the header space allowing passage of the conductive portion of the second conductor from the second opening to the coupler. A breather passage allows fluid communication between the header space and the area surrounding the breather boot. The breather passage and the header space are filled with a silicone compound which has a viscosity so that well fluids escaping from the well via the second electrical conductor to the header space and the second opening in the breather boot displaces the silicone compound when the well fluid exerts a pressure which is lower than the pressure required allow the well fluids to penetrate the glass block seal passage to the first conductor.