Abstract: A strain monitor (1) for attachment to part of a submerged structure (100), the strain monitor comprises: a main body (5), the main body comprising an attachment assembly which is arranged to secure the strain monitor to the submerged structure, a plurality of strain gauge assemblies (3), carried by the main body, arranged in a spaced apart relationship, each strain gauge assembly comprising a strain gauge and a carrier (6), and the strain gauge attached to the carrier, and the strain gauge assembly arranged to selectively adopt a stowed condition and a deployed condition.

Abstract: A method can include operating a pump system; determining a condition associated with the pump system; and controlling the pump system based at least in part on the condition.

Abstract: Providing diagnostics or monitoring operation of a rod pressure includes using waves in production fluid produced by the rod pump may be used to determine one or more operating states of the rod pump. The one or more operating states of the rod pump may be used by a user to diagnose or monitor the operation of the rod pump.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body. The body includes first and second clamping mechanisms that are configured to grip a tubular member of a beam pump unit at first and second axially-offset locations along the tubular member, respectively. The body also includes a base positioned at least partially between the first and second clamping mechanisms. The apparatus also includes a strain gauge coupled to the base and configured to measure a strain on the tubular member as the tubular member moves. The apparatus also includes a gyroscope configured to measure an orientation, an angular velocity, or both of the beam pump unit as the beam pump unit operates. The apparatus also includes an accelerometer configured to measure an acceleration of the beam pump unit as the beam pump unit operates.

Abstract: A method for evaluating data from a reciprocating downhole pump includes the steps of acquiring downhole position and load data, providing the position and load data to a processing unit, normalizing the position and load data, converting the position and load data to a calculated polar coordinate data set, evaluating the calculated polar coordinate data set to determine a condition or occurrence at the reciprocating pump, and outputting calculated key parameters for controlling and optimizing the reciprocating pump and beam pumping unit. The method further comprises a step of creating a library of reference data sets, comparing the calculated polar data set against the library of ideal and reference data sets, identifying one or more reference data sets that match one or more portions of the calculated polar data set, and outputting the probability of one or more of the known conditions within the calculated polar data set.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring strain in a polished rod of a beam pump unit includes a body having an upper wide section, a lower wide section, and a narrow section having a reduced width in comparison to each of the upper and lower wide sections. A bore is formed in the narrow section. The apparatus also includes at least two connectors configured to connect the body to the rod. The bore is positioned between the two connectors in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the rod. The apparatus further includes a strain gauge positioned in the bore, so as to measure strain in the rod between the two points of connection.

Abstract: A control system for operating a beam pumping unit includes a strain gauge and a beam pumping unit controller. The strain gauge is coupled to a Samson post of the beam pumping unit, and is configured to measure a Samson post strain. The beam pumping unit controller is coupled to the strain gauge and is configured to operate the beam pumping unit to induce a variable load on a rod of the beam pumping unit. The beam pumping unit controller is further configured to receive the Samson post strain from the strain gauge and compute the variable load based on the Samson post strain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine operating parameters of a pumping unit for use with wells are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned in the housing. The processor is to determine a rate at which to operate a motor of a pumping unit to enable a load imparted on a polished rod of the pumping unit to be within a threshold of a reference load or to enable a speed of the polished rod to be within a threshold of a reference speed.

Abstract: A system makes real time fluid level determinations based upon shock waves detected by a pressure sensor which is able to detect very small changes in the amplitude of the received signal. Because the various components of the artificial lift system can have significant mechanical vibrations and noise, the pressure sensor utilized in the present invention may be high-sensitivity pressure sensor which is vibration-compensated with an electrical amplifier integrated directly into the sensor body to amplify the observed shock wave. The sensor has compensation components which ascertain low-frequency lateral motion and other noise, distinguishing the low frequency wave forms from the incoming reflections from the shock waves. The observed lateral motion is subtracted from the pressure sensor signal in determining the depth to the fluid.

Abstract: A pump apparatus has a downhole pump disposed in a wellbore and has a motor at the surface, and a rod string operatively moved by the motor reciprocates the downhole pump in the wellbore. Downhole data indicative of load and position of the downhole pump is generated using surface measurements and a wave equation model having a damping factor. Actual fluid load lines are determined from the downhole data for upstrokes and downstrokes of the downhole pump, and calculated fluid load lines for from the strokes are determined from the distribution of the load values in the downhole data. The actual fluid load lines are compared to the calculated fluid load lines to determine if the downhole data is over or under-damped. Then, the damping factor of the wave equation model can be adjusted so that new downhole data can be generated with appropriate damping.

Abstract: A pump apparatus has a downhole pump disposed in a wellbore and has a motor at the surface, and a rod string operatively moved by the motor reciprocates the downhole pump in the wellbore. Downhole data indicative of load and position of the downhole pump is generated using surface measurements and a wave equation model having an upstroke damping factor and a downstroke damping factor. Actual fluid load lines are determined from the downhole data for upstrokes and downstrokes of the downhole pump, and calculated fluid load lines for from the strokes are determined from the distribution of the load values in the downhole data. The actual fluid load lines are compared to the calculated fluid load lines to determine if the downhole card is over or under-damped. Then, at least one of the upstroke or downstroke damping factors of the wave equation model is adjusted so that new downhole data can be generated with appropriate damping.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a pump to facilitate a flow of sampling fluid through the downhole tool. The sampling fluid flows from an inlet of the downhole tool toward an outlet of the downhole tool or to a sampling chamber. The downhole tool also includes a sensor located in the pump. The sensor facilitates a calculation of a pumping efficiency of the downhole tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing wellbore conditions in artificial lift wells using low profile sensors that are installed on down hole production equipment that makes them easier to install and retrieve. In one embodiment, low profile sensors are installed on a rod string making their insertion and removal much easier than it would be if they were mounted on production tubing. The sensors can be attached directly to the rod string or can be attached to a cable that is attached to the rod string. The sensors can transmit their data electrically through the cable or through the rod string. Alternatively, the sensors can transmit their data acoustically through the rod string.

Abstract: Diagnosing a pump apparatus having a downhole pump disposed in a deviated wellbore characterizes axial and transverse displacement of a rod string with two coupled non-linear differential equations of fourth order, which include axial and transverse equations of motion. To solve the equations, derivatives are replaced with finite difference analogs. Initial axial displacement of the rod string is calculated by assuming there is no transverse displacement and solving the axial equation. Initial axial force is calculated using the initial axial displacement and assuming there is no transverse displacement. Initial transverse displacement is calculated using the initial axial force and the initial axial displacement. Axial force and friction force are calculated using the initial displacements, and the axial displacement at the downhole pump is calculated by solving the axial equation with the axial force and the friction force. Load at the downhole pump is calculated so a downhole card can be generated.

Abstract: Forces on and respective positions of a pump jack sucker rod are determined in real time by load cells attached to the sucker rod and a position sensor, and are stored for further processing. A wireless transmitter transmits stored load and position values, calculated process parameters, and/or exception alerts to a wireless spread spectrum receiver that can be coupled to a motor speed controller used to set the rotational speed of the pump jack motor, and/or to monitoring systems, such as a central controller used to optimize total field production.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct and indirect measurement of the density of a fluid which exhibits sag characteristics is disclosed. The sag measurement system includes a test container for holding a fluid mixture to be analyzed and a suction port on the test container. A pump is coupled to the suction port for circulating the fluid mixture from the test container through a circulation loop. A measurement device is coupled to the circulation loop and a return port directs the fluid mixture from the circulation loop back to the test container at substantially the same vertical location as the suction port. The fluid mixture flowing through the circulation loop passes through the measurement device before returning to the test container through the return port. The measurement device is operable to monitor the particle distribution of the fluid mixture as it changes due to gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a drilling fluid includes a vessel having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a pair of opposed impermeable platens disposed within the vessel. The apparatus further includes a test fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, and a collection container in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Additionally, the system includes a data acquisition device configured to receive data from at least one of the vessel, the test fluid container, and the collection container. Also, a method for determining sealing characteristics of a drilling fluid includes injecting a test fluid having a fluid loss control material from a test fluid container to a vessel, the vessel having a first impermeable platen and a second impermeable platen with a gap between the two platens. The methods further includes measuring a fracture tip fluid loss through the gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly accurate methods for directly calculating pump fillage which avoid the need and expense of a pump dynamometer card and subsequent calculations.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a pump discharge head with an integrally formed pump discharge pressure port. The discharge head is mounted directly to the pump and couples the pump to production tubing. A static pressure port extends directly through the side wall of the discharge head. The pressure port includes a tubing connector for hydraulic tubing to run down to the guage. Inside the discharge head, a flow limiter is located in the pressure port to stop the loss of fluid if there is a break in the tubing connector or hydraulic line. Alternatively, the discharge head may incorporate a venturi or other pressure drop structure to allow the fluid flow to be measured via a pressure drop across an orifice. The venturi may be configured as an insert to permit it to be replaced after it has become worn by abrasive flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly accurate methods for directly calculating pump fillage which avoid the need and expense of a pump dynamometer card and subsequent calculations.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and products for monitoring/controlling a reciprocating well producing hydrocarbons from a wellbore, which determine the surface card from a well operating characteristics, determine the downhole card, and display both at the same scale for position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the remote measurement of physical parameters are described. The apparatus includes a sensor, sensor instrumentation, a carbon coated optical fiber cable for extending between the sensor and the sensor instrumentation, a conduit for extending to a measurement location and configured to accommodate the optical fiber cable and the sensor, and a cable installing device configured to install the sensor and the optical fiber cable through the conduit and place the sensor at the measurement location. The cable installation device includes an apparatus for propelling a fluid along the conduit, such as a pump, a compressor, and the like. In the method, a sensor is installed at a measurement location by pumping the sensor and a carbon-coated optical fiber cable through a conduit, forming a seal around the cable where it enters the conduit, and connecting the cable to sensor instrumentation.