Method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the flow of natural gas from gas wells
First Claim
1. Methods for measuring the volume and rate of gas well flow from a gas well head by electrical means to eliminate gas volume measurement errors associated with intermittent or erratic gas flow conditions in a system using a differential pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, and a static pressure line transducer all in operative communication with the gas well head, including the steps of:
- providing a first electric component system having an input portion installed in operative communication with a gas well site, said component system having calibration data, gas flow parameters, and control configurations;
transmitting analog electric data as a function of time from at least the differential pressure transducer, the temperature transducer, and the static pressure line transducer to said input portion of said first electric component system;
transmitting digital electric event data as a function of time to the input portion of said first electric component system;
transmitting said analog electric data signals to a data logging manager for storage;
transmitting said digital electric event data signals to a data logging manager for storage; and
thenpresenting said analog electric data and said digital electric event data from said signal for display and for analysis of well characteristics and events from said signals, including volume and rate of gas well flow from a gas well head to which it is in operative communication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This system and Method serve as both a raw data logger for well operation analysis and a well event logger for well performance analysis. An improved methodology of remote event and process variable logging and data retention designed specifically to address the needs of intermittently flowing gas wells is useful for eliminating gas slippage associated with intermittent or erratic gas flow conditions, eliminating measurement errors, and lowering operating costs. The well data can be scanned in seconds for its current flow situation, and as a set of specific conditions are met, a built-in control program reacts to those conditions by shutting down the well until certain pressure criteria are met to allow the well to flow again. To maintain measurement integrity, precise event logging of the valve positions to indicate the actual flowing period are included in the flow integration. There are auto-calibration and reintegration features in the system methodology for eliminating slippage gas and eliminating settling disputes between the producer and the pipeline operator. Graphical presentation of event logs and process variable data allows the user to quickly and effectively diagnose and correct gas well problem. The same graphical presentation provides visual inspection and analysis to optimize gas well production.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. Methods for measuring the volume and rate of gas well flow from a gas well head by electrical means to eliminate gas volume measurement errors associated with intermittent or erratic gas flow conditions in a system using a differential pressure transducer, a temperature transducer, and a static pressure line transducer all in operative communication with the gas well head, including the steps of:
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providing a first electric component system having an input portion installed in operative communication with a gas well site, said component system having calibration data, gas flow parameters, and control configurations; transmitting analog electric data as a function of time from at least the differential pressure transducer, the temperature transducer, and the static pressure line transducer to said input portion of said first electric component system; transmitting digital electric event data as a function of time to the input portion of said first electric component system; transmitting said analog electric data signals to a data logging manager for storage; transmitting said digital electric event data signals to a data logging manager for storage; and
thenpresenting said analog electric data and said digital electric event data from said signal for display and for analysis of well characteristics and events from said signals, including volume and rate of gas well flow from a gas well head to which it is in operative communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification