Apparatus for monitoring pressure using capillary tubing

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring the pressure in a gas well at a downhole location is disclosed. The apparatus uses a capillary tube connecting a downhole monitoring assembly with a pressure gauge or gauges at the wellhead. The downhole monitoring assembly and capillary tube are located externally to the production tube so as not to block the production tube for cleaning or other uses. A passage from the interior of the production tube passes gas to the capillary tube in order to measure the pressure at the downhole end of the production tube.

1 . An apparatus for monitoring downhole pressure in a well, comprising: 
 (a) a production tube comprising a downhole end, and further comprising an exterior and interior;    (b) a capillary tube comprising a wellhead end and a downhole end, wherein said capillary tube is positioned to said exterior of said production tube;    (c) a monitor tip adjacent to said exterior of said production tube, said monitor tip positioned near said downhole end of said production tube and in communication with said downhole end of said capillary tube; and    (d) a pressure gauge in communication with said wellhead end of said capillary tube.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said monitor tip comprises a filter in communication with said downhole end of said capillary tube.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a passage between said filter and said interior of said production tube whereby gas may pass from said interior of said production tube to said filter and into said capillary tube.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a fitting connecting said tip and said downhole end of said capillary tube.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of bands binding said capillary tube and said production tube together, said bands spaced along the length of said capillary tube.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure gauge comprises a transmitter operable to send a pressure reading to a remote location.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure gauge comprises a mechanical pressure gauge and a transmitter operable to send a pressure reading to a remote location.