Annulus plugging detection using a pressure transmitter in gas-lift oil production
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting outer annulus plugging in a gas-lift oil well, the system comprising:
- a pressure transmitter operably coupleable to the outer annulus of the gas-lift oil well, the pressure transmitter being adapted to provide a signal related to pressure within the outer annulus; and
a controller configured to receive the signal and obtain a plurality of pressure measurements relative to the outer annulus, which measurements are temporally spaced, the controller being configured to calculate a parameter indicative of annulus plugging based on the plurality of pressure measurements.
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Abstract
Outer annulus plugging detection is provided for gas-lift oil wells. The outer annulus detection is effected using a pressure transmitter. The pressure transmitter provides an indication of pressure within an outer annulus of the oil well. A statistical parameter related to a plurality of outer annulus pressure readings is used to provide an indication of annulus plugging. Examples of the statistical parameter include mean and standard deviation.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for detecting outer annulus plugging in a gas-lift oil well, the system comprising:
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a pressure transmitter operably coupleable to the outer annulus of the gas-lift oil well, the pressure transmitter being adapted to provide a signal related to pressure within the outer annulus; and
a controller configured to receive the signal and obtain a plurality of pressure measurements relative to the outer annulus, which measurements are temporally spaced, the controller being configured to calculate a parameter indicative of annulus plugging based on the plurality of pressure measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of determining whether an outer annulus of a gas-lift oil well is at least partially plugged, the method comprising:
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obtaining a plurality of temporally spaced pressure measurements within the outer annulus;
calculating a statistical parameter using the plurality of measurements; and
providing an indication of plugging based upon the statistical parameter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A gas-lift oil well comprising:
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a first pipe having a first pipe wall defining an interior adapted to convey pressurized crude oil;
a second pipe having a second pipe wall defining an inner annulus with the first pipe wall;
an outer shell defining an outer annulus with the second pipe wall; and
means for detecting plugging of the outer annulus.
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Specification