Wellhead Monitoring and Choke Control for Real-Time Well Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for monitoring and controlling hydrocarbon production at well sites lack real-time data analysis capabilities, leading to inefficient operations and delayed adjustments in operating parameters, which can result in suboptimal hydrocarbon extraction and production.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system that collects and analyzes real-time data from hydrocarbon well sites, providing visualizations and automatically adjusting operating parameters such as wellhead pressure and choke size to optimize production, and can initiate well tests when production criteria are not met, using a combination of sensors, transmitters, and a communication network to facilitate immediate decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If real-time data analysis and automatic control systems are implemented at well sites, then production efficiency and responsiveness are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrocarbon production efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into modular components: sensors for data collection, transmitters for data communication, processors for data analysis, and controllers for actuation. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex system to be built from simpler, standardized parts that can be independently maintained and replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates optimal operating parameters and stores control strategies beforehand. When production conditions change, the system retrieves and applies pre-programmed control algorithms, reducing the need for complex real-time calculations and enabling faster response times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If real-time monitoring and control is implemented, then response time to well site condition changes is reduced, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse time to production changesVSAvoiddata processing and analysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors production parameters and automatically adjusts operating conditions based on real-time feedback. Sensors detect changes in production conditions, the processor analyzes the data, and controllers automatically modify well operations, creating a closed-loop system that responds immediately to production changes without requiring complex manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and automatic control adjustments without requiring constant human intervention. The processor autonomously analyzes sensor data, identifies production optimization opportunities, and actuates control devices, enabling the system to manage itself and respond to conditions changes in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automatic adjustment of operating parameters is implemented, then production optimization is improved, but extent of automation and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrocarbon extraction optimizationVSAvoidautomatic control level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Automatic control is achieved through feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor production parameters, the processor compares actual performance against target values, and controllers automatically adjust operating parameters to maintain optimal production. This closed-loop automation enables continuous optimization without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes production by automatically adjusting key operating parameters such as wellhead pressure, choke size, and flow rates. The processor calculates optimal parameter values based on real-time production data and reservoir conditions, then the controller implements these parameter changes to maximize hydrocarbon extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2910729B1Systems and methods for localized well analysis and control
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 SENSIA NETHERLANDS BV
  • EP2910729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2910729B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2910729B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A system may include a well device to control a flow of hydrocarbons extracted from a well (16) and a monitoring device (26) to receive data associated with one or more properties of the well and the well device. The monitoring device is disposed on the well device and receives pressure data and temperature data associated with the well device. The monitoring device may then determine an inflow performance relationship, a tubing performance relationship, a choke performance relationship, and a wellhead performance relationship, or any combination thereof based on the pressure data and the temperature data. The monitoring device may also generate at least one plot that illustrates the inflow performance relationship, the tubing performance relationship, the choke performance relationship, and the wellhead performance relationship, or any combination thereof. The monitoring system may then display the at least one plot on a display device disposed on the monitoring system.