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A Vertical Annular Separation and Pumping System (VASPS) utilizing a outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement to replace a standard pump shroud associated with an electrical submersible pump. The outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement directs produced wellbore liquids around the electrical sub

A Vertical Annular Separation and Pumping System (VASPS) utilizing a outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement to replace a standard pump shroud associated with an electrical submersible pump. The outer annulus liquid discharge arrangement directs produced wellbore liquids around the electrical submersible pump motor to provide a cooling medium to prevent overheating and premature failure of the electrical submersible pump.

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1. A subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (a) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus;(b) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus;(c) a

1. A subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (a) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus;(b) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus;(c) a fluid inlet in communication with the second annulus;(d) a liquid outlet in communication with the first annulus;(e) a gas passage in the inner casing for conducting separated gas phase fluids, wherein the gas passage has a gas inlet and a gas outlet;(f) a pump assembly comprising a pump positioned within the intermediate casing having (i) a pump intake in fluid communication with the second annulus and (ii) a pump discharge in fluid communication with the first annulus;(g) a motor to drive the pump; and(f) a helix assembly positioned in the second annulus between the inner casing and the intermediate casing,wherein the outer casing further comprises a housing with an upper end and a lower end to provide pressure containment for the first annulus, second annulus, and gas passage. 2. A subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (a) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus;(b) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus;(c) a helix assembly positioned in the second annulus between the inner casing and the intermediate casing(d) a fluid inlet in communication with the second annulus;(e) a separator head space in fluid communication with the first annulus;(f) a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the separator head space;(g) a gas passage in the inner casing for conducting separated gas phase fluids, wherein the gas passage has a gas inlet and a gas outlet;(h) a pump assembly comprising a pump positioned within the intermediate casing having (i) a pump intake in fluid communication with the second annulus and (ii) a pump discharge in fluid communication with the first annulus; and(i) a motor to drive the pump,wherein the outer casing further comprises a housing with an upper end and a lower end to provide pressure containment for the first annulus, second annulus, the separator head space, and gas passage. 3. A subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (a) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus;(b) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus;(c) a fluid inlet in communication with the second annulus;(d) a liquid outlet in communication with the first annulus;(e) a gas passage in the inner casing for conducting separated gas phase fluids, wherein the gas passage has a gas inlet and a gas outlet; and(f) a pump assembly comprising a motor and a pump positioned within the intermediate casing having (i) a pump intake in fluid communication with the second annulus and (ii) a pump discharge in fluid communication with the first annulus,wherein the outer casing further comprises a housing with an upper end and a lower end to provide pressure containment for the first annulus, second annulus, a separator head space, and gas passage. 4. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea location comprising: (a) providing a production facility;(b) installing a subsea vertical separator capable of separating produced wellbore fluids into a liquid phase and a gas phase, such separator comprising: (i) an intermediate casing within an outer casing, forming a first annulus;(ii) an inner casing within the intermediate casing, forming a second annulus;(iii) a fluid inlet in communication with the second annulus;(iv) a gas passage in the inner casing for conducting separated gas phase fluids, wherein the gas passage has a gas inlet and a gas outlet;(vi) a pump assembly comprising a pump positioned within the intermediate casing having (a) a pump intake in fluid communication with the second annulus and (b) a pump discharge in fluid communication with the first annulus; and(vii) a motor assembly to drive the pump,wherein the outer casing further comprises a housing with an upper end and a lower end to provide pressure containment for the first annulus, second annulus, and gas passage;(c) installing a piping system to transport separated gas to the production facility;(d) installing a piping system to transport separated liquids to the production facility;(e) connecting a power source and a control source to the motor assembly;(f) producing wellbore fluids from the subsea location;(g) transporting the produced wellbore fluids to the separator fluid inlet;(h) separating the produced wellbore fluids into a gas phase and a liquid phase;(i) transporting the gas phase fluids to the production facility; and(j) transporting the liquid phase fluids to the production facility.