Technique for production enhancement with downhole monitoring of artificially lifted wells
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorsLuis E. Gonzales, Rajan Chokshi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques and apparatus are provided for downhole monitoring of an artificial lift system, such as a reciprocating rod lift system, in an effort to enhance production from the system. In aspects, a method for controlling a rod pump used to produce fluids from a wellbore is provided. The method generally includes monitoring one or more downhole parameters in the wellbore and adjusting one or more pump parameters used to control the rod pump based, at least in part, on the monitored downhole parameters.
Claims24
A method for controlling a rod pump used to produce fluids from a wellbore, comprising:
- monitoring one or more downhole parameters including a first pressure in the wellbore;
- calculating an average of the first pressure over a period of time;
- determining a second pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the period of time;
- determining a point on an Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve based on the second pressure and the average of the first pressure;
- determining a first flow rate based on the determined point on the IPR curve;
- selecting a third pressure based on the IPR curve, wherein the third pressure corresponds to a second flow rate that is closer to an absolute open flow rate of the wellbore than the first flow rate;
- and
- adjusting one or more pump parameters used to control the rod pump to operate the rod pump at the third pressure.
A system for producing fluids from a wellbore, comprising:
- a rod pump disposed in the wellbore;
- one or more sensors deployed in the wellbore and configured to monitor one or more downhole parameters including a first pressure in the wellbore;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- calculate an average of the first pressure over a period of time;
- determine a second pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the period of time;
- determine a point on an Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve based on the second pressure and the average of the first pressure;
- determine a first flow rate based on the determined point on the IPR curve;
- select a third pressure based on the IPR curve, wherein the third pressure corresponds to a second flow rate that is closer to an absolute open flow rate of the wellbore than the first flow rate;
- and
- adjust one or more pump parameters used to control the rod pump to operate the rod pump at the third pressure.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for controlling a rod pump used to produce fluids from a wellbore, the instructions comprising:
- instructions for monitoring one or more downhole parameters including a first pressure in the wellbore;
- instructions for calculating an average of the first pressure over a period of time;
- instructions for determining a second pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the period of time;
- instructions for determining a point on an Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve based on the second pressure and the average of the first pressure;
- instructions for determining a first flow rate based on the determined point on the IPR curve;
- instructions for selecting a third pressure based on the IPR curve, wherein the third pressure corresponds to a second flow rate that is closer to an absolute open flow rate of the wellbore than the first flow rate;
- and
- instructions for adjusting one or more pump parameters used to control the rod pump to operate the rod pump at the third pressure.
A method for controlling a rod pump used to produce fluids from a wellbore, comprising:
- monitoring one or more downhole parameters including a first pressure in the wellbore;
- calculating an average of the first pressure over a period of time;
- determining a second pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the period of time;
- determining a point on an Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve based on the second pressure and the average of the first pressure;
- determining a first flow rate based on the determined point on the IPR curve;
- selecting a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate based on an ability of the rod pump to handle an additional volume associated with the second flow rate;
- calculating a third pressure based on the second flow rate and the IPR curve;
- and
- adjusting one or more pump parameters used to control the rod pump to operate the rod pump at the third pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.