Abstract:
A system for monitoring performance of a pumping unit of an oil well includes a first sensor for measuring the inclination angle of a beam forming part of the pumping unit, a second sensor for measuring the load on the beam, and a third sensor for measuring the load on an electrical motor used in conjunction with the pumping unit. The first sensor includes a cantilevered pendulum member which moves in response to changes in the beam inclination angle and strain gauges affixed to the pendulum member for generating an electrical signal indicative of the instantaneous inclination angle. The second sensor includes a deformable sensor plate mounted to the beam and piezoresistive gauges attached to the plate for providing a signal indicative of the load on the beam. The third sensor includes a sensor head attached to a cable for supplying electrical power to the motor. The sensor head includes a sensor coil spaced from the cable so that the magnetic field surrounding the cable induces a current flow in the sensor coil. By measuring the voltage across the ends of the sensor coil, a signal indicative of the load on the motor is generated.
Abstract:
A control circuit for turning off the electrical power to the drive motor, which reciprocates a polished rod of a pump, when the pump has exhausted the supply of liquid in the well. Simultaneously measuring the polished rod load and rod position and turning off the power when the load is greater than or equal to a preset load and the position is equal to a preset position on the downstroke of the well. A first comparator measures the polished rod load relative to a preset load, and a second comparator measures the polished rod position relative to a preset point so that the power is shut off when the load is greater than or equal to the preset load and the position is equal to the preset point on the downstroke. A set of digital latches act to insure that the load is greater than the preset load for two consecutive strokes before the power is shut off. Measuring when the polished rod load is less than a preset load and the polished rod position is equal to a preset point on the upstroke and turning off power to the well and signalling that an abnormal condition exists at the well. Connections are provided for an external plotter so that a plot of load versus position can be plotted to give a visual representation of the well activity.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided to adaptively control a hydraulic fluid supply to supply a driving fluid for applying a driving force on a piston in a gas compressor, the driving force being cyclically reversed between a first direction and a second direction to cause the piston to reciprocate in strokes. During a first stroke of the piston, a speed of the piston, a temperature of the driving fluid, and a load pressure applied to the piston is monitored. Reversal of the driving force after the first stroke is controlled based on the speed, load pressure, and temperature.
Abstract:
An adapter for a load cell in a rod pump system includes an outer shell including a mounting portion configured to attach to the load cell on a polished rod, a power supply configured to provide power to the adapter and the load cell, the power supply including a solar panel on the outer shell, a cable configured to connect to the load cell, the adapter configured to provide power to the load cell via the cable, and the adapter configured to receive a load signal from the load cell via the cable, a signal processor configured to receive and process the load signal and to output load signal data representative of a load experienced by the load cell, and a wireless transmitter to transmit the load signal data.
Abstract:
Techniques and apparatus are provided for improved diagnostics of downhole dynamometer data for control and troubleshooting of reciprocating rod lift systems. A method for pump fillage determination for a reciprocating rod lift system is provided. The method generally includes measuring downhole data during a pump cycle, wherein the downhole data comprises a first plurality of data points associated with an upstroke of the pump cycle and a second plurality of data points associated with a downstroke of the pump cycle, each data point comprising a rod position value and an associated rod load value; converting the data points to non-dimensional data points, calculating non-dimensional slope values between non-dimensional data points; and determining pump fillage based, at least part, on the calculated non-dimensional slope values.
Abstract:
A pumpjack is driven by an electric motor coupled to a gear box. A local drive controller controls the motor in accordance with a varying motor speed profile over a pumping cycle of the pumpjack. The drive controller determines, based on sensory feedback from the one or more sensors, a pumping cycle load profile, automatically determines, based on the pumping cycle load profile, a varying voltage profile, and controls the motor in accordance with the varying motor speed profile while applying the varying voltage profile to the motor.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to determine operating parameters of a pumping unit for use with wells are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned in the housing. The processor is to determine a rate at which to operate a motor of a pumping unit to enable a load imparted on a polished rod of the pumping unit to be within a threshold of a reference load or to enable a speed of the polished rod to be within a threshold of a reference speed.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to determine parameters of a pumping unit for use with wells are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned in the housing. The processor is to determine a first load on a polished rod of a pumping unit, to estimate a first torque of a motor of the pumping unit, and determine a first torque factor for the pumping unit. The processor is to, based on the first load, the first torque, and the first torque factor, determine a phase angle of a counterbalance of the pumping unit or a moment of the counterbalance.
Abstract:
An artificial lifting system is disclosed. The artificial lifting system comprises an elongated cylinder fixed to a base or ground. The elongated cylinder receives a piston rod axially movable therein. The piston rod engages a downhole rod pump for driving the rod pump reciprocating uphole and downhole to pump downhole fluid to the surface. A control unit controls the axial movement of the piston rod, and automatically adjust the system operation to adapt to drift of the top and bottom stop positions of the piston rod. In an alternative embodiment, the system further comprises a dump valve controlled by the control unit to prevent over-stroke. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a chemical injection unit for injecting treatment fluid to a wellbore under the control of the control unit.
Abstract:
A method and system for pumping unit with an elastic rod system is applied to maximize fluid production. The maximum stroke of the pump and the shortest cycle time are calculated based on all static and dynamic properties of downhole and surface components without a limitation to angular speed of the prime mover. Limitations of structural and fatigue strength are incorporated into the optimization calculation to ensure safe operation while maximizing pumped volume and minimizing energy consumption. Calculated optimal prime mover speed is applied to the sucker rod pump by means of beam pumping, long stroke or hydraulic pumping unit by controlling velocity, acceleration and torque of the electric prime mover or by controlling pressure and flow rate in hydraulically actuated sucker rod pumping system.