Abstract: For controlling a hydrocarbons production installation, comprising at least one hydrocarbons production string activated by a gas injection using a gas injection choke, and a production choke on the string, a method comprises a production phase during which the position of at least one of the chokes is adjusted by cascaded control loops. The loops are driven according to continuously or sequentially developing setpoint parameters. The installation can be controlled more accurately and quickly than in the prior art, as a cascade control loop architecture makes it possible to simplify each of the loops in order to increase the speed of implementation, while still taking account of a greater number of setpoint parameters.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a pump, a fluid conduit and a regulated gas inlet. The fluid conduit has an upper end connected to the pump and a lower end in communication with a fluid supply. The regulated gas inlet includes a gas supply at a first pressure; a pressure monitoring conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit between its upper and lower ends; a gas delivery conduit in communication with the fluid conduit; and a pressure-responsive valve. The valve is connected to the pressure monitoring conduit and moves between a closed position wherein gas flow into the fluid conduit is restricted, and at least one open position wherein gas is delivered to the fluid conduit through the gas supply conduit. The valve is normally biased toward the closed position but moves opens when pressure within the pressure monitoring conduit is below the first pressure by more than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A casing pressured operated, variable orifice valve is employed as the operating valve in a single point injection well assembly with tubing pressure (fluid) operated unloading valves acting above the operating valve to provide a continuous flow system. The operating valve includes a throttling range which extends between optimum injection gas pressure levels based on the amount of injection gas pressure available at the well head to thereby increase the overall efficiency of the system. The variable orifice valve includes a pressure charged bellows and a coil spring in series to produce a linear resultant load rate which in turn cooperates with contoured closure surfaces in the valve to produce a linear relationship between orifice size and injection gas pressure. Gas is thus injected into the production column or tubing at a rate which is linearly related primarily to the casing pressure with the throttling range of the operating valve producing a broad response in the gas injection rate.

Abstract: A method of achieving gas induced production of liquid from wells wherein the wells have a production tubing string extending to a production formation wherein such wells may have insufficient gas production for achieving continuous production of liquids from such wells. The method includes establishing a liquid accumulation chamber being located downstream of a gas accumulation chamber and being in communication with the tubing string, while the gas accumulation chamber is in communication with the production formation. Liquid from the production formation is produced by maintaining a condition of predetermined low flow of gas and liquid produced from the production formation. The method includes accumulating a predetermined quantity of liquid within the liquid accumulation chamber during the predetermined low flow condition, while simultaneously accumulating a quantity of gas within the gas accumulation chamber.