Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a hydrocarbon production trend using a well volume comparison. The method generally includes acquiring well volume data corresponding to a plurality of hydrocarbon-producing wells, comparing the acquired well volume data with target well volume data, assigning a loss production code to at least one of the hydrocarbon-producing wells based on the comparison; and detecting a hydrocarbon production trend utilizing the assigned loss production code.

Abstract: The invention is a method for automated management of hydrocarbon gathering systems. Measurement data is automatically collected from automated measurement and control devices that are located in a hydrocarbon production system The data that is collected is compared with data stored in a database. The comparison of data is used to automatically schedule tests of the plurality of automated measurement and control devices. The invention also automatically collects well test data, system balance data, and hydrocarbon composition data and uses the collected data to manage the hydrocarbon production and delivery process. The invention also automatically generates periodic grid reports concerning the status of the gathering system.