Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plunger lift system in a well can include: opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well; determining an actual rise time of the plunger based on a time it takes the plunger to rise to the top of the well; using actual rise time of the plunger and a target rise time calculating adjustments to the afterflow time or close time; and allowing the afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for the close time. The methods are repeated, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time or adjusted close time to incrementally alter these times.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method of operating a plunger lift system, a controller and a plunger lift system in a well is provided. The velocity of a plunger is measured by a velocity sensor positioned proximate a top of the well when the plunger passes the velocity sensor. The measured velocity can then be used to determine a kinetic energy of the plunger as it passed the velocity sensor. Each time the plunger passes the velocity sensors, the kinetic energy of the plunger can be determined. This determined kinetic energy can then be used to determine if the well should be shut down or if portions of the plunger lift system should be replaced.

Abstract: A controller and method is provided for operating a plunger lift system in a gas well that uses a pressure trigger and trip delay time to determine an afterflow time. The plunger lift system can include a plunger and a valve between the well and an outlet line were the produced gas is routed. The method can open the valve and allow the plunger to rise to a top of the well. After the plunger has reached the top of the well, the pressure in the well can be monitored to determine when a pressure trigger has occurred. When the pressure trigger occurs, the method can wait a trip delay time before once again closing the valve. After a close time the method can be repeated, the valve opened and the plunger allowed to rise back up the well. An adjusted trip delay time can then be determined and used.

Abstract: A velocity sensor, a controller, a plunger lift system and method for controlling a plunger lift system is provided. The velocity sensor can use a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance to determine a velocity of a plunger as it passes the velocity sensor. The controller can use information received from the velocity sensor to both control the operation of the plunger lift system using the measured plunger velocity obtained from the velocity sensor and shut down the well if the plunger is measured travelling too fast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plunger lift system in a well is provided. The methods can include: opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well; determining an actual rise time of the plunger based on a time it takes the plunger to rise to the top of the well; using actual rise time of the plunger and a target rise time calculating adjustments to the afterflow time or close time; and allowing the afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for the close time. The methods are repeated, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time or adjusted close time to incrementally alter these times to improve the operation of the plunger lift system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plunger lift system in a well can include: opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well; determining an actual rise time of the plunger based on a time it take the plunger to rise to the top of the well; using actual rise time of the plunger and a target rise time calculating adjustments to the afterflow time or close time; and allowing the afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for the close time. The methods are repeated, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time or adjusted close time to incrementally alter these times.

Abstract: A velocity sensor, a controller, a plunger lift system and method for controlling a plunger lift system is provided. The velocity sensor can use a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor spaced a sensor distance to determine a velocity of a plunger as it passes the velocity sensor. The controller can use information received from the velocity sensor to both control the operation of the plunger lift system using the measured plunger velocity obtained from the velocity sensor and shut down the well if the plunger is measured travelling to fast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plunger lift system in a well is provided. The methods can include: opening a control valve and allowing a plunger to rise to a top of the well; determining an actual rise time of the plunger based on a time it takes the plunger to rise to the top of the well; using actual rise time of the plunger and a target rise time calculating adjustments to the afterflow time or close time; and allowing the afterflow time to pass before closing the control valve and keeping the valve closed for the close time. The methods are repeated, each time calculating a new adjusted afterflow time or adjusted close time to incrementally alter these times to improve the operation of the plunger lift system.