Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter is operable as a vibrating tube densitometer where a flowtube is driven to vibrate at a fundamental frequency from which density of the material flowing through the flowtube may be calculated. The drive gain is monitored as an indicator of multiphase flow including gas and liquid components where a substantial increase in drive gain indicates gas damping of the flowtube vibrations due to a transient bubble entering the flowtube. The gas damping effects of the transient bubble and the correspondingly reduced density readings are remediated by the use of historical density measurements corresponding to periods of flow when no transient bubble has entered the flowtube.

Abstract: An automatic well test system (100) utilizes a two phase vortex separator 104 connected to a pair of Coriolis flowmeters (154, 166) to measure volumetric flow rates in three phase flow. Measurements are performed according to a process (P200) including an iterative convergence technique. Measurements are enhanced by the use of real time density and water-cut measurements from a water-cut meter (172) and a water density meter.

Abstract: The operation of an oil well pumping unit control system (20, 200) is governed by a computerized automated control unit (88) that receives flow rate measurements from a Coriolis flow meter (28). The control unit causes production from a beam pumping unit (22) to cease when measurements from the Coriolis flow meter indicate a decline in the pump efficiency. The decline in pump efficiency indicates that a production fluid level (136) in the production tubing (108) has fallen below the uppermost point of travel for the plunger (122). Production from the well is, accordingly, shut-in to afford the reservoir sufficient time to build the pressure and corresponding fluid level that is required to recommence production operations.

Abstract: An automatic well test system (20) utilizes a Coriolis flowmeter (68) that functions as a mass flowmeter and densitometer in combination with a water-cut monitor (66) to calculate volumetric flow rates and densities of materials draining from a test separator (24) in a combined or two-phase production stream. An oil-phase density value is corrected to eliminate the effect of its water content, and divided into the mass flow rate reading to obtain a net oil flow rate. System operations are governed by an automated controller (86) that utilizes a gas blanket system (28) to prevent low pressures from liberating gas from the liquids within the test separator.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupling device for providing simultaneous bi-directional transmission of optical signals within a single wavelength band over a single fiber optic link cable, including a coupler/connector which precisely aligns and longitudinally separates transmit and receive lightguide fibers and a fiber optic link cable. The cores of the transmit and receive lightguide fibers are tightly aligned with a minimum thickness of cladding for increased packing efficiency, and the end faces of the transmit and receive lightguides are maintained parallel to and a predetermined distance from an end face of the fiber optic link cable to ensure that reflected signals will not be detected as received signals and allow simultaneous distinguishable bi-directional communication of optical data within a single wavelength band.

Abstract: A well safety system for controlling the flow of fluid through well conduits. The system includes a surface controlled subsurface safety valve made up as part of a tubing string extending from the well surface to a subsurface formation within a casing string. A packer, installed below the safety valve, forms a fluid tight seal between the tubing and casing to direct fluid from below the packer into the tubing. The safety valve contains lateral passageways which allow communication of fluid from the bore of the safety valve to the annulus between the tubing and casing above the packer. A valve actuator is releasably secured within the upper portion of the safety valve and forms a fluid tight seal between control fluid pressure in the tubing string above the safety valve and formation fluid pressure in the tubing string below the safety valve. The safety valve can be locked open when control pressure is increased above a preselected value and then released.