METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING PUMPING WELLS

• US 3,610,779 A
• Filed: 12/22/1967
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laurence M. Hubby
• Original Assignee: Laurence M. Hubby
• Inventors: Hubby, Laurence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walker, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US04/692,877
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 73/151 103/4,4W,5,5W,11,11A,44W,45W,46,52S 230/2,12,17 417/5
• US Class Current: 417/215
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/009 Monitoring of walking-beam pump systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 47/02 the driving mechanisms being situated at ground level F04B47/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/065 and making use of computers
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/40 Regulating or controlling the amount of current drawn or delivered by the motor for controlling the mechanical load

Abstract

A method and system for pumping-well control including determination of a production profile for the well. The profile consists of a function that defines the normal producing conditions when the well fluid is pumped out of the well at a greater rate than it is produced therein. Optimum producing conditions may then be determined and set. In addition, the magnitude of the load on the pump motor is monitored and fed out for remote indication and/or control.

Claims

1. In a system for controlling a pumping well, said system including a beam-type reciprocating pump driven by a motor, said pump having cycles including an up stroke and a down stroke successively, the improvement comprising means associated with said well for providing a cyclic waveform signal proportional to the load on the motor driving said pump, means for recording said waveform signal continuously over a period of a plurality of said pump cycles, and computer means for receiving said waveform signal and for providing an output to control said motor.

2. In a system according to claim 7, the improvement also comprising means for recording in real time a plurality of consecutive cycles of said waveform signal, and high-speed means for reproducing said recorded signals in compressed time.

3. A system according to claim 2 having a plurality of pumping wells.

4. A system according to claim 3 further including means for switching from one well to the next in said compressed time so that said computer means may supervise all of said wells continuously.