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Determing fluid levels in wells with flow induced pressure pulses

  • US 5,715,890 A
  • Filed: 12/13/1995
  • Issued: 02/10/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring the speed of sound in a gaseous medium existing in the annulus between the casing and production tubing in a producing well said method comprising:

  • filling a section of small tubing with a representative sample of gas obtained from the annulus;

    measuring the temperature and pressure of said sample of gas;

    creating a pressure wave in said sample of gas by quickly venting a small portion of the gas from one end of the tubing;

    measuring the time of origination of said pressure wave at the emitting end;

    measuring the time of arrival of the reflected pressure wave after it has traveled the length of the small tubing and has returned to the point of origination;

    determining the round trip travel time of the pressure wave by subtracting the time of origination from the time of arrival of the reflected wave;

    calculating the speed of sound within the gaseous medium by dividing twice the linear length of the small tubing by the round trip time so measured; and

    storing the measured speed of sound for later use in determining the fluid level in the well.

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