Page 6 - Acoustic Fluid Level Measurements

Contents vii

Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin
Analyzing Gas Lift Well Fluid Level Records 10-6
Determining Acoustic Velocity 10-6
Using Mandrels as Markers 10-8
Troubleshooting Gas Lift Systems 10-14
Open Valves 10-14
Operating Pressure Distribution for Various Gas Lift Configurations 10-14
Static Bottomhole Pressure 10-14
Producing Bottomhole Pressure 10-16
Case A 10-17
Case B 10-17
Case C 10-17
Case D 10-17
Example Fluid Level and Pressure Survey 10-17
Background Information About Gas Lift Installations 10-19
Valve Operation 10-22
Valves and Mandrels 10-22
General Considerations for Gas Lift Design 10-24
Well Unloading 10-24
Unloading Sequence for Casing Pressure Operated Systems 10-26
Monitoring the Unloading Operation 10-31
Summary 10-34
References 10-35
Bibliography 10-35
11. Fluid Level Measurement Applications for Plunger Lift Wells 11-1
Plunger Lift System 11-2
Types of Plungers 11-3
Types of Controllers 11-3
Timers 11-3
Pressure Differential or Pressure Set Point 11-5
Programmable Logic Controllers 11-5
Plunger Lift Operation Cycle 11-5
Acoustic Fluid Level Monitoring of Plunger Well Operation 11-6
Determining Plunger Position and Velocity 11-6
Active Acoustic Monitoring of Plunger Position 11-7
Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Plunger Position 11-9
Data Acquisition and Recording for Passive Monitoring 11-11
Identifying and Annotating Key Events 11-11
Instantaneous Plunger Fall Velocity 11-13
Factors Affecting Plunger Fall Velocity 11-16
Determining Gas Properties 11-16
Detecting and Troubleshooting Operation Problems 11-17
Field Example 11-20
Summary 11-21
References 11-22
Bibliography 11-23
Appendix: Figure Credits A-1
Glossary G-1
Index I-1

For distribution by Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin