Natural gas production optimization switching valve system

A method of optimizing natural gas production from a well in the presence of liquids, said well having a casing and a tubing landed therein in a substantially parallel relationship for transporting fluids under pressure from said well, said casing being initially open for gas flow and said tubing being closed to fluid flow, said method comprising the following cycle:

• monitoring differential pressure between said open casing and said closed tubing;
• detecting a loaded well upon said differential pressure reaching a Well Differential Set Point value selected to avoid overloading said well with said liquids;
• switching production to said tubing by closing said casing and opening said tubing, wherein said switching is initiated no sooner than a Minimum Casing Flow time and no later than a Maximum Casing Flow time from opening of said casing;
• removing said liquids from said well through said tubing, wherein at least some gas production continues through said tubing during said liquids removal;
• monitoring for pressure increases in said open tubing wherein a Minimum Pressure Increase value indicates when said closed casing is considered charged, and, after reaching said Minimum Pressure Increase value, further monitoring said pressure increases for a Low Rate of Change value;
• returning production to said casing by opening said casing and closing said tubing when said Low Rate of Change value is reached, wherein said returning is initiated no sooner than a Minimum Tubing Flow time and no later than a Maximum Tubing Flow time from said switching production;
• and,
• repeating said cycle to continue said optimized gas production.