Method of optimizing production of a well
First Claim
1. A method of optimizing a production of a well, comprising:
- at least partially disposing a first sensing element of a plurality of sensing elements in a first fluid of a plurality of fluids in a well bore;
at least partially disposing a second sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements in a second fluid of the plurality of fluids;
supplying a current at a first frequency to the plurality of sensing elements with an electrical power supply and a frequency modulator;
generating a first signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid;
supplying a current at a second frequency to the plurality of sensing elements;
generating a second signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid;
processing the first signal and the second signal to generate a signal representative of a dielectric constant of the first fluid with a processor;
adjusting a production parameter at least partially based on the dielectric constant of the first fluid.
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Abstract
A sensor used to determine the height of one or more fluids in a fluid column and to determine a location of an interface or boundary between a plurality of fluids in a fluid column is disclosed. The sensor includes a plurality of sensing elements comprising a capacitor and other components, such as resistors and inductors. The sensor also includes an oscillator that alters a frequency of an electrical current applied to the sensor, from which the dielectric constant of the fluid in which each sensing element is disposed can be determined. Methods of using such a sensor to determine the relative heights of various fluids in a fluid column are disclosed. In particular, methods of using embodiments of the invention in a well, such as water and petroleum wells, are described.
32 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of optimizing a production of a well, comprising:
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at least partially disposing a first sensing element of a plurality of sensing elements in a first fluid of a plurality of fluids in a well bore; at least partially disposing a second sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements in a second fluid of the plurality of fluids; supplying a current at a first frequency to the plurality of sensing elements with an electrical power supply and a frequency modulator; generating a first signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid; supplying a current at a second frequency to the plurality of sensing elements; generating a second signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid; processing the first signal and the second signal to generate a signal representative of a dielectric constant of the first fluid with a processor; adjusting a production parameter at least partially based on the dielectric constant of the first fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12)
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7. A method of optimizing a production of a well, comprising:
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at least partially disposing a first sensing element of a plurality of sensing elements in a first fluid of a plurality of fluids in a well bore; at least partially disposing a second sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements in a second fluid of the plurality of fluids; supplying a current at a first frequency to the plurality of sensing elements with an electrical power supply and a frequency modulator; generating a first signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid; supplying a current at a second frequency to the plurality of sensing elements; generating a second signal representative of an electrical characteristic of the first fluid and the second fluid; processing the first signal and the second signal to generate a signal representative of a location of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid, and; adjusting a production parameter at least partially based on the location of the interface between the first fluid and the second fluid. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
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Specification