System and Method for Remote Real-Time Surveillance and Control of Pumped Wells

Abstract

A system and method is provided for facilitating remote real-time surveillance, management, optimization, and control of pumping systems at a wellsite. A variety of sensors are deployed along pumping systems, such as electric submersible pumping systems, positioned in wellbores. Data from the sensors is output in real-time to a remote location via a network. The system analyzes the data to identify problems and potential problems in the pumping systems and suggest possible causes and corrective measures. The network can be used to provide two-way communication such that control signals may then be sent from the remote location to the pumping systems. Alarms may also be triggered when sensor data or data trends fall outside predetermined ranges.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to well systems, and in particular to the management and optimization of well systems that use pumps, such as electric submersible pump (ESP) systems or pumping systems located at the earth's surface, for pumping hydrocarbon-based fluids. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] In many artificially lifted wells, pumping systems are used to produce a desired fluid, e.g. petroleum, to a collection point. For example, a wellbore may be drilled into a subterranean reservoir, and the pumping system is used to lift fluid from the reservoir location to the collection point. Pumps are used to intake fluid from the wellbore and to pump the fluid upwardly or laterally through the wellbore via, for example, production tubing. Instrumentation can be deployed in the wellbore to monitor operation of the pumping system, which may be submersible or surface-mounted. [0005] Although wellbor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In general, the present invention provides an improved system and method for cost effective real-time surveillance, management, optimization, and control of wellbore pumping systems at one or more wellsites. The technique utilizes real-time surveillance of wellbore pumping systems, transfer of data to one or more remote locations, provision of warnings based on the data, analysis of the data, and control over the one or more wellsites, and is designed to make the identification of wells with performance deficiencies highly efficient. A communications network is used to carry surveillance data and control signals in two-way communication.

Problems solved by technology

Although wellbore pumping monitoring and diagnostics systems have been in use for many years, the ability to transfer the data and / or utilize the data in controlling and optimizing pumping system operation has heretofore been limited.

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