Optimizing Pumping Well Efficiency With Smart Fluid-Level Controller Technology

Abstract

Abstract Oftentimes the management decisions that are required for pumping wells can be significantly improved by having an additional piece of information. If the fluid level in a producing well can be known in real time, many other pieces of information can then be calculated and/or inferred. With this additional information, better decisions can be made to improve the efficiency of the producing operation. Fluid level machines, dynamometers, power analyzers, and pump-off controllers have all been very successful in increasing the operation of the rod-pumped well, and to a lesser degree, the progressive cavity and electric submersible wells. A recently patented fluid level controller technology enables the electrically pumped well to be optimized with real time fluid level data. The fluid level controller can be used to measure and control the fluid level in a producing well without a packer to within a foot. It can penetrate foamy columns to read previously unavailable fluid levels below the foam. The level at which the pump turns on and off can be preset, and even automatically optimized. The producing bottom hole pressure can be calculated and used to improve the production and operating economics of many different types of artificial lift systems. It can also be used as a reservoir management tool. Its potential applications include: preventing gas-locking, optimizing oil production from rate sensitive producers, conducting pressure transient tests, and evaluating the effects of injection well changes real time in an array of surrounding producing wells. Field data has already revealed some interesting phenomena associated with downhole production observations that may lead to a better understanding of near-wellbore production mechanics. Changes in fluid level as gas rises through the annular column have been detected. Slug flow can be observed in what was thought to be steady state producers.