Coriolis pump-off controller
First Claim
1. A pump control system for use in terminating actuation of a pumping unit while fluid levels in a well bore are disadvantageously low, said system comprising:
- means for measuring a production fluid volume corresponding to the reciprocation of a reciprocating pump unit;
means for producing signals representative of said production fluid volume corresponding to each of said stroke cycles;
means responsive to receipt of said signals for comparing said production fluid volumes to identify a reduction in pump stroke lifting efficiency;
means for generating a signal representative of said reduction in pump stroke efficiency; and
means responsive to said generation of said signal representative of said reduction in pump stroke efficiency for stopping surface production from said pumping unit,wherein said measuring means includes a Coriolis flow meter.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The operation of an oil well pumping unit control system (20, 200) is governed by a computerized automated control unit (88) that receives flow rate measurements from a Coriolis flow meter (28). The control unit causes production from a beam pumping unit (22) to cease when measurements from the Coriolis flow meter indicate a decline in the pump efficiency. The decline in pump efficiency indicates that a production fluid level (136) in the production tubing (108) has fallen below the uppermost point of travel for the plunger (122). Production from the well is, accordingly, shut-in to afford the reservoir sufficient time to build the pressure and corresponding fluid level that is required to recommence production operations.
83 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A pump control system for use in terminating actuation of a pumping unit while fluid levels in a well bore are disadvantageously low, said system comprising:
-
means for measuring a production fluid volume corresponding to the reciprocation of a reciprocating pump unit; means for producing signals representative of said production fluid volume corresponding to each of said stroke cycles; means responsive to receipt of said signals for comparing said production fluid volumes to identify a reduction in pump stroke lifting efficiency; means for generating a signal representative of said reduction in pump stroke efficiency; and means responsive to said generation of said signal representative of said reduction in pump stroke efficiency for stopping surface production from said pumping unit, wherein said measuring means includes a Coriolis flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of controlling a pumping unit to avoid actuation of the pumping unit while fluid levels in a well bore are disadvantageously low, said method comprising the steps of:
-
measuring a production fluid volume produced by a pumping unit through the use of a Coriolis flow meter; producing signals representative of said production fluid volume corresponding to each upstroke of said pumping unit; comparing said signals between one another to identify a reduction in volumetric pump stroke efficiency induced by an upper limit of production fluids in said well bore having fallen below a plunger assembly attached to said pumping unit; transmitting a signal representative of said condition; and stopping surface production from said pumping unit to permit buildup of bottom hole pressure in said well bore. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification