Auto adjusting well control system and method
First Claim
1. A method of operating a well having an on time and an off time cycle, comprising:
- measuring a first pressure differential;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
opening a valve between a tubing and a sales line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value, the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the sales line;
sensing a completion of a portion of the cycle;
measuring a second pressure differential across two points in the sales line;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when the second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable controller for operating an artificial lift well is provided to monitor and operate a variety of analog and digital devices. An on-cycle of the well is initiated based on a pressure differential measured between a casing pressure and a sales line pressure. When a predetermined ON pressure differential is observed, the controller initiates the on-cycle and open a motor valve to permit fluid and gas accumulated in the tubing to eurged out of the well. Thereafter, the controller initiates a mandatory flow period and maintains the motor valve open for a period of time. The valve remains open as the system transitions into the sales time period. During sales time, the controller monitors the gas flow through an orifice disposed in the sales line. A differential pressure transducer is used to measure a pressure differential across the orifice. When the measure pressure differential is less than or equal to a predetermined OFF pressure differential, the controller initiates the off cycle. The off cycle starts with a mandatory shut-in period to a low the plunger to fall back into the well. Thereafter, the well remains in the off-cycle until the controller receives a signal that the ON pressure differential has developed. In another aspect, the controller may adjust the operating parameters of the well based on the completion of the cycle.
90 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A method of operating a well having an on time and an off time cycle, comprising:
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measuring a first pressure differential;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
opening a valve between a tubing and a sales line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value, the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the sales line;
sensing a completion of a portion of the cycle;
measuring a second pressure differential across two points in the sales line;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when the second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. A method of optimizing an artificial lift well operating on a cycle, comprising:
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opening a sales valve disposed on a delivery line for a gas flow;
closing a bypass valve disposed on a bypass line leading from the delivery line to the well;
measuring a first pressure differential across two points upstream from the sales valve on the delivery line;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
closing the sales valve when the first pressure differential is less than or equal to the first stored value;
opening a bypass valve to deliver the gas flow to the well;
measuring a second pressure differential across the two points;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the bypass valve when the second pressure differential is at least the same as the second stored value;
opening the sales valve;
adjusting one or more of the stored values prior to beginning the subsequent cycle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of operating an artificial lift system, comprising:
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measuring a first pressure at a first location in the system;
measuring a second pressure at a second location in the system;
calculating a first pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
opening a valve between a tubing and a delivery line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value;
the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the delivery line;
measuring a second pressure differential across two points in the delivery line;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when the second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values prior to beginning the subsequent cycle. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed, performs an operation for well production processes, the operation comprising:
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measuring a first press re differential between a casing pressure and a sales line pressure;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
opening a valve between a tubing and a sales line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value, the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the sales line;
detecting the arrival of plunger at a predetermined location in the tubing;
measuring a second pressure differential across two points in the sales line;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when he second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values prior to beginning a subsequent cycle. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An automated method of operating a well having an on time and an off time, comprising:
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measuring a first press re differential between a casing pressure and a sales line pressure;
comparing the first pre sure differential;
opening a valve between a tubing and a sales line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value, the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the sales line;
sensing a completion a portion of the cycle;
maintaining the valve closed for a first time period after closing the valve;
maintaining the valve pen for a second time period after sensing the completion of a portion of the cycle;
measuring a second pressure differential;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when the second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values.
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52. A method of operating a well having an on time and an off time cycle, comprising:
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measuring a first pressure differential;
comparing the first pressure differential to a first stored value;
opening a valve between a tubing and a sales line when the first pressure differential is at least the same as the first stored value, the valve permitting pressurized gas to flow from the tubing into the sales line;
measuring a second pressure differential;
comparing the second pressure differential to a second stored value;
closing the valve when the second pressure differential is less than or equal to the second stored value; and
adjusting one or more of the stored values when a completion of the cycle is detected. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification