Polar Coordinate Analytics for Reciprocating Downhole Pump Data

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The evaluation and control of reciprocating rod lift installations in oilfield equipment are hindered by the subjective interpretation of surface dynamometer cards and the time-consuming process of analyzing downhole data, which can lead to inaccurate diagnosis and inefficient operation of multiple wells.

Innovation Solution

A method that acquires downhole position and load data, normalizes and converts it into polar coordinate data, evaluates conditions, and compares it against a library of reference data sets to provide accurate diagnoses and control parameters, enabling efficient monitoring and control of reciprocating rod lift installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If surface-based sensors and one-dimensional wave equation are used to calculate downhole data, then downhole position and load data can be obtained, but the interpretation remains subjective and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownhole data accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms downhole position and load data from traditional Cartesian coordinates into polar coordinates, creating a new parameter representation system. This coordinate transformation enables automated pattern recognition and condition identification, converting subjective visual interpretation into objective algorithmic analysis while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual, mechanical process of visual card interpretation with an automated computational system. The processing unit automatically analyzes polar coordinate data sets, compares them against reference data, and identifies downhole conditions without human intervention, eliminating the time-consuming subjective interpretation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional pump card analysis methods are used, then downhole conditions can be identified, but the process is subjective and operator-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By transforming the data representation from traditional pump cards to polar coordinate plots, the patent creates a standardized format that enables objective comparison against reference data sets. This parameter transformation eliminates operator subjectivity while managing complexity through automated processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a library of reference polar coordinate data sets representing various downhole conditions. The system copies and compares actual operational data against these reference patterns, enabling reliable condition identification through pattern matching rather than subjective interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If multiple wells are monitored using traditional methods, then performance evaluation is possible, but the time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual analysis with an automated processing unit that可以快速 evaluate polar coordinate data sets. This automation enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple wells without proportionally increasing time investment, as the system processes each well's data through the same efficient algorithmic pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The polar coordinate transformation creates a standardized data format that facilitates efficient batch processing and comparison across multiple wells. This parameter standardization enables the system to handle multiple wells with consistent processing time, dramatically improving monitoring productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11572772B2System and method for evaluating reciprocating downhole pump data using polar coordinate analytics
Publication Date: 2023.02.07 RAVDOS HOLDINGS INC
  • US11572772B2 patent drawing
  • US11572772B2 patent drawing
  • US11572772B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for evaluating data from a reciprocating downhole pump includes the steps of acquiring downhole position and load data, providing the position and load data to a processing unit, normalizing the position and load data, converting the position and load data to a calculated polar coordinate data set, evaluating the calculated polar coordinate data set to determine a condition or occurrence at the reciprocating pump, and outputting calculated key parameters for controlling and optimizing the reciprocating pump and beam pumping unit. The method further comprises a step of creating a library of reference data sets, comparing the calculated polar data set against the library of ideal and reference data sets, identifying one or more reference data sets that match one or more portions of the calculated polar data set, and outputting the probability of one or more of the known conditions within the calculated polar data set.