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Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and methods for enhanced well control in slim completions. An embodiment can include an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) positioned within a casing and having at least a portion thereof extending outwardly from a production tubing positi

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and methods for enhanced well control in slim completions. An embodiment can include an electrical submersible pump (“ESP”) positioned within a casing and having at least a portion thereof extending outwardly from a production tubing positioned within the casing. The production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of a pump discharge to thereby provide greater interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from the production tubing and inner walls of the casing. This increased interstitial space, for example, can assist in cost savings by reducing the rate of erosion damage to the ESP. Embodiments of the present invention can further include a valve connected to inner walls of the casing and positioned distal from the ESP to control the flow of hydrocarbons.

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1. An apparatus to enhance well control in slim completions, the apparatus comprising: casing positioned to support a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slim bore and associated casing define a slim completio

1. An apparatus to enhance well control in slim completions, the apparatus comprising: casing positioned to support a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slim bore and associated casing define a slim completion;production tubing connected to and positioned at least partially within the casing to provide a pathway tin hydrocarbons dispersed from the well;a packer connected to the casing and the production tubing and extending therebetween to support the positioning of the production tubing within the casing and to prevent hydrocarbons from passing between an interstitial space between outer walls of the production tubing and inner walls of the casing proximal from the packer;an electric submersible pomp being operable to pump hydrocarbons from the well and thereby fluidly travel to the surface, the pump being positioned within the casing, having at least a portion thereof disposed to extend from distal end portions of the production tubing when positioned within the casing, and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing, the pump including: a pump intake positioned outside the production tubing within the casing so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing,a pump discharge positioned within the production tubing so that the pumped hydrocarbons are discharged within inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface, the production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of the pump discharge, anda medial pump body portion extending between the pump intake and the pump discharge through which the hydrocarbons flow from the pump intake to the pump discharge;an electric, cable connected to the pump to deploy the pump within the casing and through the production tubing and to provide a power transmission pathway to transmit power to the pump;a subsurface prevention valve connected to inner walls of the casing and distally disposed from the pump within the slim bore, the subsurface prevention valve being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from flowing into the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing; andan electric wet connection cable connected to a distal end of the pump and a proximal end of the subsurface prevention valve to provide power to the subsurface prevention valve from the electric cable through the pump. 2. An apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes is tumor connected to the electric wet connection cable and distally disposed from the pump intake to drive the pump and a seal section connected to a proximal end portion of the motor and a distal end portion of the pump intake, the seal section being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from entering within inner surfaces of the motor. 3. An apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the production tubing extends distal from the packer to provide an auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the inner walls of the casing distal from the packer where hydrocarbons are also pumped therefrom by the pump. 4. An apparatus as define in claim 3, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes a supporting member disposed between the pump discharge and the medial pump body portion so that the pump discharge is positioned within the inner walls of the production tubing proximal from the supporting member and the pump intake is positioned to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing and within the casing distal from the supporting member and so that the hydrocarbon enter the pump intake from the auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the inner walls of the casing distal from the packer and adjacent the supporting member to the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing and within the casing and the inner surfaces of the casing to a proximal region within the inner walls of the production tubing and onward to the surface. 5. An apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein the medial pump body portion includes one or more centrifugal pumps to increase the pressure and flow of the hydrocarbons that enter the pump intake to the pump discharge. 6. An apparatus as define in claim 1, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes a supporting member disposed between the pump discharge and the medial pump body portion so that the pump discharge is positioned within the inner walls of the production tubing proximal from the supporting member and the pump intake is positioned to extend outwardly from the production tubing within the casing distal from the supporting member and so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from production tubing and within the casing and the inner surfaces of the casing to a proximal region within the inner walls of the production tubing and onward to the surface. 7. An apparatus to enhance well control in slim completions, the apparatus comprising; casing positioned to support a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slim bore and associated casing define a slim completion;production tubing connected to and positioned at least partially within the casing;a packer connected to the casing and the production tubing and extending therebetween to support the positioning of the production tubing within the casing and to prevent hydrocarbons from passing between an interstitial space between outer walls of the production tubing and inner walls of the casing proximal from the packer;an electric submersible pump being operable to pump hydrocarbons from the well and thereby fluidly travel to the surface, the pump being positioned within the casing and having at least a portion thereof extending from the production tubing, disposed outside of the production tubing within the casing, and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing, the pump including: a pump intake positioned outside the production tubing within the casing so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pup disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing,a pump discharge positioned within the production tubing so that the pumped hydrocarbons are discharged within inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface, the production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of the pump discharge, anda medial pump body portion extending between the pump intake and the pump discharge through which the hydrocarbons flow from the pump intake to the pump discharge;an electric cable connected to the pump to provide a power transmission pathway to transmit power to the pump; anda subsurface prevention valve connected to inner walls of the casing and distally disposed from the pump within the slim bore, the subsurface prevention valve being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from flowing into the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner wails of the casing. 8. An apparatus as define in claim 7, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes: a motor connected to the electric wet connection cable and distally disposed from the pump intake to drive the pumpp;a seal section connected to a proximal end portion of the motor and a distal end portion of the pump intake, the seal section being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from entering within inner surfaces of the motor; andan inductive coupler connected to a distal end portion of the motor to provide electromagnetic power and wireless communications to the subsurface prevention valve. 9. An apparatus to enhance well control in slim completions, the apparatus comprising: casing positioned to support a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slim bore and associated casing define a slim completion;production tubing connected to and positioned at least partially within the casing;a packer connected to the casing and the production tubing and extending therebetween to support the positioning of the production tubing within the casing and to prevent hydrocarbons from passing between an interstitial space between outer walls of the production tubing and inner walls of the casing proximal from the packer;an electric submersible pump being operable to pump hydrocarbons from the well and thereby fluidly travel to the surface, the pump being positioned within the casing and having at least a portion thereof extending from the production tubing, disposed outside of the production tubing within the casing, and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing, the pump including: a pump intake positioned outside the production tubing within the casing so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing,a pump discharge positioned within the production tubing so that the pumped hydrocarbons are discharged within inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface, the production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of the pump discharge, anda medial pump body portion extending between the pump intake and the pump discharge through which the hydrocarbons flow from the pump intake to the pump discharge;an electric cable connected to the pump to deploy the pump within the casing and through the production tubing and to provide a power transmission pathway to transmit power to the pump;an electric inflow control valve connected to inner walls of the casing and distally disposed from the pump within the slim bore, the electric inflow control valve being operable to control the flow of hydrocarbons from flowing into the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing; andan electronic extension connected to a distal end of the pump and positioned a distance proximal from the electric inflow control valve to provide electromagnetic power and wireless communications to the electric inflow control valve. 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes a motor connected to a proximal end portion of the electronic extension and distally disposed from the pump intake to drive the pump and a seal section connected to a proximal end portion of the motor and a distal end portion or the pump intake, the seal section being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from entering within inner surfaces of the motor. 11. An apparatus as define in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the production tubing extends distal from the packer to provide an auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the inner wails of the casing distal from the packer where hydrocarbons are pumped therefrom by the pump. 12. An apparatus as define in claim 9, wherein the medial pump body portion includes one or more centrifugal pumps to increase the pressure and flow of the hydrocarbons that enter the pump intake to the pump discharge. 13. An apparatus as define in claim 9, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes a supporting member disposed between the pump discharge and the medial pump body portion so that the pump discharge is positioned within the inner walls of the production tubing proximal from the supporting member and the pump intake is positioned outside the production tubing within the casing distal from the supporting member so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing within the casing and the inner surfaces of the casing to the inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface. 14. An apparatus as define in claim 13, wherein the electrical submersible pump includes a supporting member disposed between the pump discharge and the medial pump body portion so that the pump discharge is positioned within the inner walls of the production tubing proximal from the supporting member and the pinup intake is positioned to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing distal from the supporting member and so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the timer walls of the casing distal from the packer and adjacent the supporting member to the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pinup disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner surfaces of the casing to the inner walls of the production tubing and onward to the surface. 15. An apparatus to enhance well control in slim completions, the apparatus comprising; casing positioned to support a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slim bore and associated casing define is slim completion;production tubing connected to and positioned at least partially within the casing;a packer connected to the casing and the production tubing and extending therebetween to support the positioning of the production tubing within the casing and to prevent hydrocarbons from passing between an interstitial space between outer walls of the production tubing and inner walls of the casing proximal from the packer;an electric submersible pump being operable to pump hydrocarbons from the well and thereby fluidly travel to the surface, the pump being positioned within the casing and having at least a portion thereof extending from distal end portion of the production tubing when positioned within the casing, and having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing, the pump including; a pump intake positioned outside the production tubing within the casing so that the hydrocarbons enter the pump intake from the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing,a pump discharge positioned within the production tubing so that the pumped hydrocarbons are discharged within inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface, the production tubing terminates adjacent a distal end portion of the pump discharge,a medial pump body portion extending between the pump intake and the pump discharge through which the hydrocarbons flow from the pump intake to the pump discharge,an electrical cable connected to the electric submersible pump to provide a power transmission pathway to transmit power to the pump;an electric inflow control valve connected to inner walls of the casing and distally disposed from the pump within the slim bore, the electric inflow control valve being operable to control the flow of hydrocarbons from flowing into the interstitial space between the outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing; andan electric wet connection cable connected to a distal end of the pump the electric inflow control valve to provide power to the electric inflow control valve from the electric cable through the pump. 16. A method of enhanced well control in slim completions, the method comprising: positioning casing into a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well, the slim bore extending inwardly from a surface and having an inside diameter in the range of about two to seven inches so that the slier bore and associated casing define a slim completion;positioning production tubing partially within the casing to provide a pathway for hydrocarbons dispersed from the well,connecting a subsurface prevention valve to inner walls of the casing, the subsurface prevention valve being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from flowing to the surface,positioning an electric submersible pump within the casing through the production tubing with an electric cable so that at least a portion of the electric submersible pump extends from the production tubing within the casing when in the slim bore and disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing, the electric submersible pump having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing;directing hydrocarbons into the interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the electric submersible pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner all of the casing; andoperating the electric submersible pump so that the hydrocarbons from the interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing enter the pump, flow through the pump, and discharge from the pump to the inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface. 17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the electric submersible pump further comprises: a motor extending outwardly from the production tubing within the casing for driving the pump;a seal section extending outwardly from the production tubing within the casing and connected to a proximal end portion of the motor and, the seal section being operable to prevent hydrocarbons from entering within inner surfaces of the motor;a pump intake extending outwardly from the production tubing within the casing and connected to a proximal end portion of the seal section;a pump discharge disposed within the production tubing; anda medial pump body portion extending between the pump intake and the pump discharge. 18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein the hydrocarbons from the interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed to extend outwardly from distal end portions of the production tubing within the casing and the inner walls of the casing enter the pump intake, flow through the medial pump body portion, and discharge from the pump discharge to the inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface. 19. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the production tubing extends distal from a packer to provide an auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the inner walls of the casing distal from the packer where hydrocarbons are also pumped therefrom by the pump, and wherein the operating step includes hydrocarbons from the auxiliary interstitial space to enter the pump, flow through the pump, and discharge from the pump to the inner walls of the production tubing and onward to the surface. 20. A method of enhanced well control in slim completions, the method comprising: positioning casing into a slim bore of a hydrocarbon well extending inwardly from a surface and having a shin completion;positioning production tubing partially within the casing to provide a pathway for hydrocarbons dispersed from the well;positioning an electric submersible pump within the casing through the production tubing with an electric cable so that at least a portion of the electric submersible pump extends from the production tubing within the casing when in the slim bore and disposed outside of the production tubing within the casing, the electric submersible pump having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the production tubing;operating the electric submersible pump so that hydrocarbons between outer surfaces of the portion of the pump disposed outside the production tubing and the inner walls of the casing enter the pump, flow through the pump, and discharge from the pump to the inner walls of the production tubing for travel to the surface; andtransferring power to a subsurface prevention valve to direct hydrocarbons into the interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the electric submersible pump disposed within the casing and the inner walls of the casing. 21. A method as defined in 20, wherein the electric submersible pump further includes an electric wet connection cable connected to a distal end portion of the pump to provide power to the subsurface prevention valve, and wherein the transferring power step includes transferring power with the electric wet connection cable to the subsurface prevention valve. 22. A method as defined in 20, wherein the electric submersible pump further includes an inductive coupler connected to a distal end portion of the pump to provide electromagnetic power and wireless communication to the subsurface prevention valve, and wherein the transferring power step includes transferring electromagnetic power and wireless communication with the inductive coupler to the subsurface prevention valve. 23. A method as defined in 20, the method further comprising transferring power to an electric inflow control valve to control the flow of hydrocarbons directed into the interstitial space between outer surfaces of the portion of the electric submersible pump disposed within the casing and the inner walls of the casing. 24. A method as defined in 23, wherein the electric submersible pump further includes an electronic extension connected to a distal end portion of the pump to provide electromagnetic power and wireless communication to the electric inflow control valve, and wherein the transferring power step includes transferring electromagnetic power and wireless communication with the electronic extension to the electric inflow control valve. 25. A method as defined in claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the production tubing extends distal from at packer to provide an auxiliary interstitial space between the outer walls of the production tubing and the inner walls of the casing distal from the packer where hydrocarbons are also pumped therefrom by the pump, and wherein the operating step includes hydrocarbons from the auxiliary interstitial space to enter the pump, flow through the pump, and discharge from the pump to the inner walls of the production tubing and to the surface.