Real-time analysis and visualization of the performance of a rod-pumped well are achieved by use of multiple small and compact wireless sensors that simultaneously transmit acquired data to a digital laptop manager that integrates the measurements, displays performance graphs, and provides advanced tools for analysis and troubleshooting of the pumping system. The paper describes the hardware and user interface, the procedures for installation and acquisition, and several examples of field data and well-performance analysis for a variety of rod-pumping installations.
Introduction
The new generation of software and hardware discussed in this paper takes advantage of the tremendous increase in laptop processing speed, memory size, and screen resolution to generate in real time a quantitative visualization of the downhole rod-pumping operation, plunger motion, valve action, and fluid flow. This animation is presented simultaneously with the corresponding fluid distribution in the wellbore obtained from the acoustic fluid-level survey to let the user see the complete performance of the well and lift system without having to interpret the conventional dynamometer card or fluid-level record for the majority of monitored wells (Fig. 1).
