Abstract: A plunger for use in a plunger lift system of an oil or natural gas well includes one or more sensor assemblies, each including one or more sensors for measuring various physical and operational conditions during the operation of the well. The data acquired from the sensors is stored in memory within the sensor assemblies and downloaded to the plunger lift system controller when the plunger is located in the catch/lubricator. The data can then be analyzed by the controller or other computer to vary the well's operating parameters to maximize the well's operating efficiency and the data can be used in reservoir management, such as transient testing, reservoir modeling and interference testing.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a plunger for use in a plunger lift system of an oil or natural gas well is described. The plunger includes one or more sensor assemblies, each including one or more sensors for measuring various physical and operational conditions during the operation of the well. The data acquired from the sensors is stored in memory within the sensor assemblies and downloaded to the plunger lift system controller when the plunger is located in the catch/lubricator. The data can then be analyzed by the controller or other computer to vary the well's operating parameters to maximize the well's operating efficiency and the data can be used in reservoir management, such as transient testing, reservoir modeling and interference testing.