Apparatus and method for controlling a well plunger system

Wells – Processes – Producing the well

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Details

13762415, 166 53, E21B 4312

Patent

active

057851239

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for controlling a well plunger system for the production of natural gas is described. The well plunger system includes a plunger tube positioned within a casing of a gas well, a tubing line connected to the plunger tube, a plunger moveable within the plunger tube, a plunger sensor for detecting the presence of the plunger, a valve connected to the tubing line and to the general gas distribution system including a sales line and a gas flow meter, a pressure sensor connected to the sales line, a motor for operating the valve, and a pressure sensor connected to the casing. The controller calculates the duration of an open interval when the valve is opened and a closed interval when the valve is closed based on a calculated average plunger velocity of the plunger after the valve is opened. The controller compensates for changes in sales line pressure by adjusting the calculated average plunger velocity by an amount equivalent to the changes in sales line pressure. After the calculated average plunger velocity is adjusted it is compared against a low velocity minimum and a high velocity maximum that define a desired operating range. If the calculated average plunger velocity falls outside of the desired operating range the controller increments or decrements the close interval by a fixed amount of time, compensating for changes in sales line pressure.

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