Method for Obtaining Diagnostics and Control of the Pumping Process of Rod Pumped Oil and Gas Wells and Devices for the Method Execution

Abstract

Devices and methods for obtaining diagnostics and control of the pumping process of rod pumped oil or gas wells are described. The diagnostics and control are implemented by means of the well simulation unit where surface load values are gathered through utilization of a load cell mounted on the carrier bar and attaching to the top of the polished rod and surface position values are gathered through the use of a position sensor mounted on the polish rod. Subsequently, an animation representing the entire pumping system is displayed instantaneously either on local display or by utilizing a HMI or a portable laptop, computer or other device connected to SCADA system. Changes of well conditions and pumping system conditions are displayed real time utilizing a direct simulation.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method for obtaining diagnostics and control f the pumping process of rod pumped oil or gas wells comprising:
 gathering surface load values for the polished rod;   gathering surface position values for the polished rod;   using a well simulation unit to plot the surface load values against the position of the polished rod; and   displaying an animation representing the entire pumping system showing changes in well conditions and pumping system conditions in real time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the surface load values are gathered through the use of a load cell mounted on a carrier bar attached to a top of a polished rod. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the surface position values are gathered through the use of a position sensor mounted to the top surface of the polished rod and an inclinometer mounted on a pumping unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  where the gathering is done by one of: wired or wireless transmission. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the animation representing the entire pumping system is displayed instantaneously on one of a local display; an HMI; a portable laptop; a remote computer; or a device connected to SCADA system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising detecting pump-off conditions on a rod pumped well. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising controlling the speed of a drive on the rod pump. 
     
     
         13 . A controller for use with a rod pumped oil or gas well comprising:
 a load sensor gathering surface load values for the polished rod;   at least one position sensor gathering surface position values for the polished rod; and   a well simulation unit to plot the surface load values against the position of the polished rod based on data received from the load sensor and the at least one position sensor;   wherein the well simulation unit generates an animation representing the entire pumping system showing changes in well conditions and pumping system conditions in real time.   
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 13  wherein the load sensor includes a load cell mounted on a carrier bar attached to a top of a polished rod. 
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 13  wherein the at least one position sensor includes a position sensor mounted to the top surface of the polished rod and an inclinometer mounted on a pumping unit. 
     
     
         16 . The controller of  claim 13  where the load sensor and the at least one position sensor transmit data by one of wired or wireless transmission. 
     
     
         17 . The controller of  claim 13  wherein the animation representing the entire pumping system is displayed instantaneously on one of: a local display; an HMI; a portable laptop; a remote computer; or a device connected to SCADA system. 
     
     
         18 . The controller of  claim 13  wherein the controller uses the animation to detect pump-off conditions on a rod pumped well. 
     
     
         19 . The controller of  claim 13  wherein the controller uses the animation to control the speed of a drive on the rod pump. 
     
     
         20 . A device for controlling a rod pumped oil or gas well comprising:
 a programmable controller;   an integrated combined load cell measuring a load on a rod in the rod pumped well;   a position sensor measuring the position of the rod;   a microcontroller, wherein the integrated combined load cell, the position send and the microcontroller are in a common casing and communicate with the programmable controller;   a digital interface module; and   a well simulation unit in the programmable controller to plot the surface load values against the position of the polished rod based on data received from the load sensor and the at least one position sensor, wherein the well simulation unit generates an animation representing the entire pumping system showing changes in well conditions and pumping system conditions in real time.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the animation representing the entire pumping system is displayed instantaneously on one of: a local display; an HMI; a portable laptop; a remote computer; or a device connected to SCADA system. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the controller uses the animation to detect pump-off conditions on a rod pumped well. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20  wherein the controller uses the animation to control the speed of a drive on the rod pump.