Portable oilfield fluid management system and method

A portable oilfield fluid management system moveable from one oilfield location to another for measuring the levels of a plurality of different fluids stored in a plurality of storage tanks located at each oilfield location, said storage tanks being either of the same or different sizes, shapes, and capacities, each of said storage tanks having means for gaining access to the interior of the tank and having a strapping table showing volume at different heights within the tank, said system including a plurality of local sensing units and a central monitor capable of being interconnected with each of said local sensing units, each of said local sensing units being further connected by means of a sensor cable through said access means to a level sensor attached to an upper inside surface of said storage tank, each said local sensing unit with its connected level sensor being capable of measuring the level of fluid in said storage tank said improved system comprising:

• means containing each of said local sensing units for attaching each said local sensing unit in any order to a exterior surface of said storage tanks,
• means for interconnecting electrically each attached local sensing unit to the adjacent local sensing unit so that all local sensing units are connected in series, and
• means connected to said central monitor for electrically connecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit, said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached and interconnected local sensing units in each different oilfield by delivering a first binary address over said connecting means to said first interconnected local sensing unit, said first local sensing unit being capable of storing said first binary address as its identity code, said first local sensing unit being further capable of transmitting over said connecting means said first binary address back to said central monitor, said central monitor being further capable of receiving said transmitted first binary address from said first interconnected local sensing unit, said central monitor being capable of comparing said received first binary address to said delivered first binary address and when said comparison is the same said central monitor (a) redelivering said first binary address back to said first local sensing unit and (b) incrementing said first binary address to the next binary address, said first local sensing unit being further capable of receiving the redelivered first binary address from said central monitor and comparing it to said stored first binary address and when said comparison is the same said first local sensing unit connecting an upstream path so that said adjacent local sensing unit is capable of receiving said next incremented binary address from said central monitor, each of said interconnected local sensing units receiving its unique binary address from said central monitor in the same sequence as did said first interconnected local sensing unit.

A portable oilfield fluid management system moveable from one oilfield location to another system moveable from one oilfield location to another for measuring the levels of a plurality of different fluids stored in a plurality of storage tanks located at each oilfield location, said storage tanks being either of the same or different sizes, shapes, and capacities, each of said storage tanks having means for gaining access to the interior of the tank and having a strapping table showing volume at different heights within the tank, said system including a plurality of local sensing units and a central monitor capable of being interconnected with each of said local sensing units, each of said local sensing units being further connected by means of a sensor cable through said access means to a level sensor attached to an upper inside surface of said storage tank, each said local sensing unit with its connected level sensor being capable of measuring the level of fluid in said storage tank said system comprising:

• means containing each of said local sensing units for attaching each said local sensing unit to an exterior surface of said storage tanks in any order of attachment,
• a plurality of cable segment means for interconnecting electrically each attached local sensing unit to the adjacent local sensing unit so that all local sensing units are connected in series, each of said cable segments being of predetermined equal length,
• means connected to said central monitor for electrically connecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit, said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached and interconnected local sensing units in each different oilfield by delivering a first binary address over said connecting means to said first interconnected local sensing unit, said first local sensing unit being capable of storing said first binary address as its identity code, said first local sensing unit being further capable of transmitting over said connecting means (a) an acknowledgement signal and (b) said first binary address back to said central monitor, said central monitor being further capable of receiving (a) said transmitted first binary address and (b) said acknowledgement signal from said first interconnected local sensing unit, said central monitor being capable of comparing said received first binary address to said delivered first binary address and when said comparison is the same said central monitor being capable of (a) redelivering said first binary address back to said first local sensing unit and (b) incrementing said first binary address to the next binary address and when said comparison is not the same said central monitor designating said first interconnected local sensing unit as defective, said first local sensing unit being further capable of receiving said redelivered first binary address from said central monitor and comparing it to said stored first binary address and when said comparison is the same said first local sensing unit connecting an upstream transmitter path so that said adjacent local sensing unit is capable of receiving said next incremented binary address from said central monitor, each of said interconnected local sensing units receiving its unique binary address from said central monitor in the same sequence as aforesaid for said first interconnected local sensing unit, and
• means in said central monitor for manually receiving the following information from a user:
• (a) said volume levels from said strapping table, (b) the identity of the fluids in each of said tanks, (c) a predetermined minimum level of fluid for each tank and (d) the current level of said fluid in each of said tanks, said central monitor in response to said received information being capable of continually determining for display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks, the identity of the fluid in each of said tanks, and the flow rate of fluid flowing out of each said tank through communication with each of said local sensing units, said central monitor being further capable of issuing an alarm signal when the level of fluid in any of said tanks drops below a predetermined level.

A portable oilfield fluid management system for measuring in different oilfields the levels of different fluids stored in a plurality of different and the same sized tanks, the type of fluids and the configuration and number of tanks capable of varying from oilfield to oilfield, said system having a central monitor for displaying fluid information for each of said tanks, said portable oilfield fluid management system comprising:

• a plurality of local sensing unit means removably attachable in any order to said tanks, one of said local sensing unit means being attached to one of said second plurality of tanks for measuring the level of fluid stored in the aforesaid tank,
• at least one container for transporting said plurality of local sensing unit means when said local sensing unit means are removed from said tanks,
• a plurality of cable segment means having connectors on opposing ends for releasably and electrically interconnecting each attached local sensing unit means to the adjacent local sensing unit attached to the next tank,
• an elongated cable means for releasably interconnecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• at least one moveable reel means for reeling said cable segment means when said cable segment means are disconnected from said plurality of local sensing unit means, said cable segment means being further releasably interconnected with each other's connectors, said at least one moveable reel means being further capable of reeling said elongated cable when released from said central monitor and said first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached local sensing unit means in each oilfield location by delivering a unique identity address to each attached local sensing unit means over said interconnected elongated cable and said interconnected cable segment means, each said local sensing unit means being capable of storing its unique address delivered by said central monitor, and
• means in said central monitor for determining for display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks, the identity of fluid in each of said tanks, and the flow rate of fluid flowing out of each said tank, said central monitor being further capabe of issuing an alarm signal when the level of fluid in any of said tanks below a predetermined level.

A portable oilfield fluid management system for measuring in different oilfields the levels of different fluids stored in a plurality of different and the same sized tanks, the type of fluids and the configuration and number of tanks capable of varying from oilfield to oilfield, said system having a central monitor for displaying fluid information for each of said tanks, said portable oilfield fluid management system further comprising:

• a plurality of local sensing unit means removably attachable in any order to said tanks, one of said local sensing unit means being attached to one of said second plurality of tanks for measuring the level of fluid stored in the aforesaid tank,
• at least one container for transporting said plurality of local sensing unit means when said local sensing unit means are removed from said tanks,
• a plurality of cable segment means having connectors on opposing ends for releasably and electrically interconnecting each attached local sensing unit means to the next adjacent local sensing unit attached to the next tank, each of said cable segments means being of equal predetermined length,
• an elongated cable for releasably interconnecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• at least one moveable reel means for reeling said cable segment means when said cable segment means are disconnected from said plurality of local sensing unit means, said cable segment means being further releasably interconnected with each other's connectors, said at least one moveable reel means being further capable of reeling said elongated cable when released from said central monitor and said first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached local sensing unit means in each oilfield location by delivering a unique identity address to each attached local sensing unit means over said interconnected elongated cable and said cable segment means, each said local sensing unit means being capable of storing its unique address delivered by said central monitor, and
• means in said central monitor for manually receiving at least the following information from a user in said oilfield:
• (a) volume level data for each said tank, (b) the identity of the fluids in each of said tanks, (c) a predetermined minimum level of fluid for each tank and (d) the current level of said fluid in each of said tanks, said central monitor in response to said received information being capable of continually determining for display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks, the identity of the fluid in each of said tanks, and the flow rate of fluid flowing out of each said tank through communication with each of said local sensing units, said central monitor being further capable of issuing an alarm signal when the level of fluid in any of said tanks drops below its said predetermined level.

A portable oilfield treatment fluid management system for measuring in different oilfields the levels of a first plurality of different treatment fluids stored in a second plurality of different and the same sized tanks, the type of fluids and the configuration and number of tanks capable of varying from oilfield to oilfield, said system having a central monitor for displaying fluid information for each of said tanks, said portable oilfield treatment fluid management system comprising:

• a plurality of local sensing unit means removably attachable in any order to said tanks, one of said local sensing unit means being attached to one of said second plurality of tanks for measuring the level of fluid stored in the aforesaid tank, each of said local sensing unit means having a male and a female electrical connector, each said local sensing unit means further comprising:
• (a) a fluid level sensor connected to each said local sensing unit means for determining said level, and
• (b) a sensor cable connected at one end to said fluid level sensor and at the opposing end to said local sensing unit means,
• at least one container for transporting said plurality of local sensing unit means when said local sensing unit means are removed from said tanks,
• a plurality of cable segment means having male and female connectors on opposing ends for releasably and electrically interconnecting the male and female connectors of each attached local sensing unit means to said male and female connectors on the adjacent local sensing unit attached to the next tank, each of said cable segments means being of equal predetermined length,
• an elongated cable for releasably interconnecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• at least one moveable reel means for reeling said cable segment means when said cable segment means are disconnected from said plurality of local sensing unit means, said cable segment means being further releasably interconnected with each other's male and female connectors, said at least one moveable reel means being further capable of reeling said elongated cable when released from said central monitor and said first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• means connected to said central monitor for electrically connecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit, said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached and interconnected local sensing units in each different oilfield by delivering a first binary address over said connecting means to said first interconnected local sensing unit, said first local sensing unit being capable of storing said first binary address as its identity code, said first local sensing unit being further capable of connecting an upstream path in response to said storing so that said adjacent and interconnected local sensing unit is capable of receiving said next incremented binary address from said central monitor, each of said interconnected local sensing units receiving its unique binary address from said central monitor connecting an upstream path as aforesaid for said first interconnected local sensing unit, and
• means in said central monitor for manually receiving tank information form a user said tank information at least including volume information for each said tank and the identity of the fluid in each said tank, said central monitor in response to said received tank information being capable of continually determining for display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks, the identity of the fluid in each of said tanks, and the flow rate of fluid flowing out of each said tank.

A portable oilfield management system for measuring parameters for pieces of equipment in different oilfields, said system having a central monitor for displaying information concerning said parameters, said portable oilfield management system further comprising:

• a plurality of local sensing unit means removably attachable in any order of attachment to said pieces of equipment, one of said local sensing unit means being attached to one of said pieces of equipment for measuring said parameter,
• at least one container for transporting said plurality of local sensing unit means when said local sensing unit means are removed from said equipment,
• a plurality of cable segment means having male and female connectors on opposing ends for releasable and electrically interconnecting the male and female connectors of each attached local sensing unit means to the male and female connectors on the adjacent local sensing unit attached to the next piece of equipment, each of said cable segments being of equal predetermined length,
• an elongated cable means for releasably connecting said central monitor to the first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• at least one moveable reel means for reeling said cable segment means when said cable segment means are disconnected from said plurality of local sensing unit means, said cable segment means being further releasably interconnected with each other's connectors, said at least one moveable reel means being further capable of reeling said elongated cable when released from said central monitor and said first interconnected local sensing unit means,
• said central monitor being capable of autoconfiguring said attached local sensing unit means in each oilfield location by delivering a unique identity address to each attached local sensing unit means over said interconnected elongated cable and said cable segment means, each said local sensing unit means being capable of storing its unique address delivered by said central monitor, and
• means in said central monitor for determining for display said information, through communication with each of said local sensing units over said interconnecting cable means and over said connecting elongated cable means, said central monitor being further capable of issuing an alarm signal when the parameter for any piece of said equipment exceeds a ppredetermined level.

An oilfield fluid management method for a portable system adaptable for use in one oilfield location and then to another, said method being capable of determining the levels of a plurality of different fluids stored in a plurality of storage tanks located at each oilfield location, said storage tanks being either of the same or different sizes, shapes, and capacities, each of said storage tanks having a strapping table showing volume at different heights within the tank, said system including a plurality of local sensing units and a central monitor with an input device and a display, said central monitor being capable of being interconnected with each of said local sensing units, each of said local sensing units being capable of measuring the level of fluid in a tank, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching in any order each local sensing unit to one of the storage tanks so that the levels of fluid can be monitored in said tanks,
• interconnecting each attached local sensing unit to each adjacent attached local sensing unit with one or a plurality of equal predetermined lengths of cable,
• connecting the first interconnected local sensing unit to the central monitor with an elongated cable,
• manually keying into said input device of the central monitor input information in order to initialize said portable system, said input information at least including the volume information from said strapping table, the identity of fluids in each of said tanks, and a predetermined minimum level of fluid for each tank,
• periodically measuring the level of fluid in each of said tanks through selective addressing of the stored address in each interconnected local sensing unit,
• delivering signals conveying the measured level of fluid in each said tank from the attached local sensing unit to the central monitor in response to said measurement, and
• determining for display in said display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks and the flow rate of fluid out of each said tank in response to said delivered signals and the identity of fluid in each of said tanks in response to said input information.

An oilfield fluid management method for a portable system adaptable for use in one oilfield location and then to another, said method being capable of determining the levels of a plurality of different fluids stored in a plurality of storage tanks located at each oilfield location, said storage tanks being either of the same or different sizes, shapes, and capacities, each of said storage tanks having a strapping table showing volume at different heights within the tank, said system including a plurality of local sensing units and a central monitor with an input device and a display, said central monitor being capable of being interconnected with each of said local sensing units, each of said local sensing units being capable of measuring the level of fluid in a tank, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching in any order each local sensing unit to one of the storage tanks so that the levels of fluid can be monitored in said tanks,
• interconnecting each attached local sensing unit to each adjacent attached local sensing unit with one or a plurality of equal predetermined lengths of cable,
• connecting the first interconnected local sensing unit to the central monitor with an elongated cable,
• assigning each attached local sensing unit a unique address,
• delivering the aforesaid unique address from the central monitor to each attached local sensing unit over the elongated cable and said predetermined lengths of cable,
• manually keying into said input device of the central monitor input information in order to initialize said portable system, said input information at least including the volume information from said strapping table, the identity of fluids in each of said tanks, and a predetermined minimum level of fluid for each tank,
• periodically measuring the level of fluid in each of said tanks through selective addressing of the stored address in each interconnected local sensing unit,
• delivering signals conveying the measured level of fluid in each said tank from the attached local sensing unit to the central monitor in response to said measurement, and
• determining for display in said display the current level of fluid in each of said tanks and the flow rate of fluid out of each said tank in response to said delivered signals and the identity of fluid in each of said tanks in response to said input information.