Web-based system and method for enhancing fluid and gas recovery as well as remote on demand control of fluid flow in a well

• US 6,456,902 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2000
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Streetman, Foy
• Original Assignee: Streetman, Foy
• Inventors: Streetman, Foy
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/572,013
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 700/281, 700/282, 166/105.5, 166/53, 166/265, 166/267
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/16 Control means therefor being outside the borehole control systems for submerged well heads E21B33/0355
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/121 Lifting well fluids monitoring of down-hole pump systems E21B47/008
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/34 Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well

Abstract

An apparatus for enhancing fluid and gas flow recovery as well as remote on demand control of flow in a well includes an upstream flow line communicably connected at one end to the well in a manner to receive fluid and gas therefrom, a fluid and gas separator communicably connected to another end of the upstream flow line in a manner to receive fluid and gas flow therefrom, a downstream sales flow line communicably connected to the fluid and gas separator in a manner to receive gas flow therefrom, a control valve operably disposed in the upstream flow line, a local controller device operably controllably connected to the control valve in a manner to permit regulated flow through the upstream flow line at a predetermined amount and having a communications device associated therewith, and a remote controller device having a communications device therewith, wherein the local controller device and remote controller device communicate with one another to enable remote control of the control valve. Also, a pressure differential control is operably disposed in the downstream sales line for comparatively sensing pressure differential in the downstream sales line about a restricted region in the downstream sales flow line which is also operably controllably connected to the control valve in a manner to permit regulated flow through the upstream flow line at a predetermined amount in response to the sensed pressure differential. A method is also provided.

Claims

1. A web-based apparatus for enhancing fluid and gas flow in a well, which includes:

an upstream flow line communicably connected at one end to the well in a manner to receive fluid and gas therefrom;

a fluid and gas separator communicably connected to another end of said upstream flow line in a manner to receive fluid and gas flow therefrom;

a downstream sales flow line communicably connected to said fluid and gas separator in a manner to receive gas flow therefrom;

a control valve operably disposed in the upstream flow line; and

means for sensing flow rate in at least one of said flow lines;

means operably associated with said sensing means for determining peak flow rate and minimum flow rate and generating an optimum shut-in period and flow period for the well;

a local controller operably associated with said determining means for controlling said control valve in a manner to permit regulated flow through said upstream flow line in accordance with said optimum shut-in period and flow period, wherein said local controller has a communications device associated therewith; and

a web-based remote controller device operably controllably connected to said local controller having a communications device therewith, wherein the said local controller device and web-based remote controller device communicate with one another to enable web-based remote control of the control valve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a pressure differential control operably disposed in the downstream sales line for comparatively sensing pressure differential in the downstream sales line about a restricted region in the downstream sales flow line and which is operably controllably connected to said controlling means in a manner to regulate flow through said upstream flow line at a predetermined amount in response to the sensed pressure differential.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes means operably connected to said local controller for introducing fluid flow enhancing additives into the well.