Sucker Rod Pump Dynagraph Control for Fluid and Gas Pound
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial lift systems face issues with fluid or gas pound, which cause system degradation due to high operating speeds, and reduced displacement at low speeds, along with challenges in accurately displaying downhole card loads and frequent parameter adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An automated system adjusts pump fillage and operating speed based on real-time downhole data, limiting traveling valve speed to prevent fluid or gas pound, and accurately displays downhole card loads to reflect actual pump conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump operates at high speed to maintain high displacement, then productivity is improved, but fluid or gas pound occurs causing system degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pump operating speed based on real-time conditions. The controller continuously monitors downhole parameters and automatically modifies the pump speed to prevent fluid or gas pound while maintaining optimal displacement, transforming the static high-speed operation into a dynamic adaptive process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where downhole sensors monitor actual pump conditions and transmit data to the controller, which then adjusts the pump speed accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to changing conditions and prevent harmful fluid or gas pound events.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pump operates at low speed to avoid fluid or gas pound, then system stress is reduced, but displacement is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than operating at constantly reduced speeds, the system dynamically adjusts speed only when necessary to prevent fluid or gas pound. During normal operating conditions, the pump maintains high speed for optimal displacement, and speed reduction is applied transiently only when downhole conditions indicate impending harmful events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating speed parameter in real-time based on downhole conditions. By monitoring parameters such as downhole pressure, temperature, and flow conditions, the controller adjusts the speed parameter dynamically, maintaining high displacement during favorable conditions and reducing speed only when necessary to prevent system stress.
3Ease of operation
If multiple parameters are adjusted to control pump fillage, then pump fillage control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of pump fillage control parameters through automated controller logic. Rather than requiring operators to manually adjust multiple parameters, the controller autonomously monitors downhole conditions and automatically modifies the necessary parameters, making the system self-regulating and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple control functions into a single integrated controller that simultaneously manages pump speed, fillage percentage, and other operating parameters. By merging these previously separate control functions into one unified system, the patent reduces the complexity of manual parameter adjustment while maintaining effective pump fillage control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a sucker rod pumping system including the steps of operating the sucker rod pump over at least one pump stroke at a pump operating speed associated with a first pump operating speed setpoint; generating a downhole dynagraph card corresponding to the operation of the pump at the pump operating speed corresponding to the first pump operating speed setpoint; determining, for at least one sucker rod position, a traveling valve speed using the generated downhole dynagraph card; generating a second pump operating speed setpoint if the determined traveling valve speed is equal to or above a predetermined maximum traveling valve speed setpoint, wherein the second pump operating speed setpoint is less than the first pump operating speed setpoint; and operating the sucker rod pump at a pump operating speed associated with the second pump operating speed setpoint.