Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling well flow
AssigneePcs Ferguson, Inc.
InventorsChristopher A. Velasquez, Kori A. G. Hare
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system comprising a well flow optimization program and associated control equipment for monitoring changing variables and well conditions and dynamically performing adjustments to one or more established set points. The system is designed to work with a plunger lift system but is also functional on a well that is not running a plunger lift or any type of artificial lift system. The system is also capable of controlling open flow and open flow set points and sales flow and sales flow set points by means of a pneumatic flow control device. The disclosed system also minimizes the time that is needed to optimize a well by a producer/operator.
Claims10
A system for dynamically controlling well flow from a well comprising:
- a controller in electronic communication with a sales line valve and a vent line valve, said sales line valve capable of controlling flow to a product sales line, said vent line valve capable of controlling flow to a vent line;
- the controller comprising a flow program to communicate the opening and closure of the sales line valve and the vent line valve based on the occurrence of one or more events;
- the flow program comprising a first closed mode wherein the sales line valve and the vent line valve are closed thereby shutting in a well, a second open mode wherein the sales line valve is opened to allow accumulated fluids and plunger lift equipment to travel up said well, said second open mode having a plunger arrival detector to determine whether the sales line valve should be closed to allow pressure to build up in said well;
- the flow program further comprising a third sales delay mode that is triggered when a plunger arrival is detected, said third sales delay mode comprising a monitoring of one or more well parameters for a predetermined amount to time thereby delaying a sales time to determine whether said one or more well parameters trigger associated set points to warrant adjustments to said set points;
- the flow program further comprising a fourth sales mode that is triggered after the predetermined amount of said third EFM (Electric Flow Measurement) sales delay mode has expired whereby the sales line valve remains open to allow said well to produce for the amount of time designated for said fourth sales mode;
- and
- wherein the flow program returns to said first closed mode when said fourth sales mode has ended.
A method for dynamically controlling well flow from a well, the steps of the method comprising:
- providing a controller in electronic communication with a sales line valve and a vent line valve, said sales line valve capable of controlling flow to a product sales line, said vent line valve capable of controlling flow to a vent line;
- the controller comprising a flow program to communicate the opening and closure of the sales line valve and the vent line valve based on the occurrence of one or more events;
- the flow program comprising a first closed mode wherein the sales line valve and the vent line valve are closed thereby shutting in a well, a second open mode wherein the A valve is opened to allow accumulated fluids and plunger lift equipment to travel up said well, said second open mode having a plunger arrival detector to determine whether the sales line valve should be closed to allow pressure to build up in said well;
- the flow program further comprising a third sales delay mode that is triggered when a plunger arrival is detected, said third sales delay mode comprising a monitoring of one or more well parameters for a predetermined amount to time thereby delaying a sales time to determine whether said one or more well parameters trigger associated set points to warrant adjustments to said set points;
- the flow program further complising a fourth sales mode that is triggered after the predetermined amount of said third mode has expired whereby the sales line valve remains open to allow said well to produce for the amount of time designated for said fourth sales mode;
- and
- wherein the flow program returns to said first closed mode when said fourth sales mode has ended.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.