Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of a petroleum well is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole, a piping structure positioned within the borehole, and a tubing string positioned within the borehole for conveying a production fluid. Production of the well is optimized by determining a flow rate of the production fluid within the tubing string and determining a lift-gas injection rate for the gas being injected into the tubing string. The flow rate and injection rate data is communicated along the piping structure of the well to a selected location, where the data is collected and analyzed. After analysis of the data, an optimum operating point for the well can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first-and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.

Abstract: An induction choke in a petroleum well where a voltage potential is developed across the choke to power and communicate with devices and sensors in the well. Preferably, the induction choke is a ferromagnetic material and acts as an impedance to a time-varying current, e.g. AC. The petroleum well includes a cased wellbore having a tubing string positioned within and longitudinally extending within the casing. A controllable gas lift valve, sensor, or other device is coupled to the tubing. The valve sensor, or other device is powered and controlled from the surface. Communication signals and power are sent from the surface using the tubing, casing, or liner as the conductor with a casing or earth ground. For example, AC current is directed down a casing or tubing or a lateral where the current encounters a choke. The voltage potential developed across the choke is used to power electronic devices and sensors near the choke.

Abstract: A controllable gas-lift well having controllable gas-lift valves and sensors for detecting flow regime is provided. The well uses production tubing and casing to communicate with and power the controllable valve from the surface. A signal impedance apparatus in the form of induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically isolate the tubing from the casing. A high band-width, adaptable spread spectrum communication system is used to communicate between the controllable valve and the surface. Sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and acoustic sensors, may be provided downhole to more accurately assess downhole conditions and in particular, the flow regime of the fluid within the tubing. Operating conditions, such as gas injection rate, back pressure on the tubing, and position of downhole controllable valves are varied depending on flow regime, downhole conditions, oil production, gas usage and availability, to optimize production.

Abstract: An induction choke in a petroleum well where a voltage potential is developed across the choke to power and communicate with devices and sensors in the well. Preferably, the induction choke is a ferromagnetic material and acts as an impedance to a time-varying current, e.g. AC. The petroleum well includes a cased wellbore having a tubing string positioned within and longitudinally extending within the casing. A controllable gas lift valve, sensor, or other device is coupled to the tubing. The valve sensor, or other device is powered and controlled from the surface. Communication signals and power are sent from the surface using the tubing, casing, or liner as the conductor with a casing or earth ground. For example, AC current is directed down a casing or tubing or a lateral where the current encounters a choke. The voltage potential developed across the choke is used to power electronic devices and sensors near the choke.

Abstract: A gas-lift well having a controllable gas-lift valve is provided. The well uses the tubing and casing to communicate with and power the controllable valve from the surface. Induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically isolate the tubing from the casing. A high band-width, adaptable communication system is used to communicate between the controllable valve and the surface. Additional sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and acoustic sensors, may be provided downhole to more accurately assess downhole conditions. The controllable valve is varied opened or closed, depending on downhole conditions, oil production, gas usage and availability, to optimize production and assist in unloading. While conventional, bellows-type, gas-lift valves frequently fail and leak—often undetected—the controllable valve hereof permits known precise operation and concomitant control of the gas-lift well.

Abstract: A petroleum well having a well casing, a production tubing, a source of time-varying current, a downhole chemical injection device, and a downhole induction choke. The casing extends within a wellbore of the well. The tubing extends within the casing. The current source is located at the surface. The current source is electrically connected to, and adapted to output a time-varying current into, the tubing and/or the casing, which act as electrical conductors for providing downhole power and/or communications. The injection device having a communications and control module, a chemical container, and an electrically controllable chemical injector. The communications and control module is electrically connected to the tubing and/or the casing. The chemical injector is electrically connected to the communications and control module, and is in fluid communication with the chemical container. The downhole induction choke is located about a portion of the tubing and/or the casing.

Abstract: A petroleum well has an electronic module and a number of sensors which communicate with the surface using the tubing string and casing as conductors. Induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically impede AC flow through the (tubing or casing if so configured) with the resulting voltage potential useful for power and communication. A high bandwidth, adaptable spread spectrum communications system is used to communicate between the downhole electronics module and a surface master spread spectrum modem. Downhole sensors, such as pressure, temperature, acoustic and seismic sensors accurately assess downhole physical conditions. In a preferred form, the electronics module and sensors are wireline insertable and retrievable into a side pocket mandrel in the tubing string.

Abstract: A current impedance device for routing a time-varying electrical current in a piping structure comprising an induction choke. The induction choke is generally concentric about a portion of the piping structure such that during operation a voltage potential forms between the piping structure and an electrical return when the time-varying electrical current is transmitted through and along the piping structure, and such that during operation part of the current can be routed through a device electrically connected to the piping structure due to the voltage potential formed. The induction choke may be unpowered and may comprise a ferromagnetic material. A system for defining an electrical circuit in a piping structure using at least one unpowered ferromagnetic induction choke, comprises an electrically conductive portion of the piping structure, a source of time-varying current, at least one induction choke, a device, and an electrical return.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.

Abstract: A petroleum well (20) for producing petroleum products that incorporates a system adapted to controllably measure a formation resistivity using induction chokes (91-95) to form electrically isolated piping structure sections that can be used as the formation contact electrodes for time-varying current, and methods of producing petroleum products while measuring formation resistivity, are provided by the present invention. The system comprises a first induction choke (91), a second induction choke (92), and a device (50). The first induction choke (91) is located about a piping structure (30) of the well (20). The second induction choke (92) is also located about the piping structure (30) of the well (20), but the first induction choke (91) is distally spaced from the second induction choke (92). The device (50) is located outside of the piping structure (30) and comprises two terminals (71, 72).

Abstract: A gas-lift well having a controllable gas-lift valve is provided. The well uses the tubing and casing to communicate with and power the controllable valve from the surface. Induction chokes at the surface and downhole electrically isolate the tubing from the casing. A high band-width, adaptable communication system is used to communicate between the controllable valve and the surface. Additional sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and acoustic sensors, may be provided downhole to more accurately assess downhole conditions. The controllable valve is varied opened or closed, depending on downhole conditions, oil production, gas usage and availability, to optimize production and assist in unloading. While conventional, bellows-type, gas-lift valves frequently fail and leak—often undetected—the controllable valve hereof permits known precise operation and concomitant control of the gas-lift well.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of electrically controlling downhole well interval inflow and/or injection. The downhole controllable well section (71) comprises a communications and controle module (80), a sensor (82), an electrically controllable valve (84), and an induction choke (90). The electrically controllable valve (84) is adpated to regulate flow between an exterior of the tubing (40) and an interior (104) of the tubing. Power and signal transmission between surface and downhole is carried out via the tubing (40) and/or the casing (30). When there are multiple downhole controllable well sections (72-75), flow inhibitors (61-65) separate the well sections.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided for supplying power and communications within a first piping structure. An external power transfer device is positioned around the first piping structure and is magnetically coupled to an internal power transfer device. The internal power transfer device is positioned around a second piping structure disposed within the first piping structure. A main surface current flowing on the first piping structure induces a first surface current within the external power transfer device. The first surface current causes a second surface current to be induced within the internal power transfer device.

Abstract: A petroleum well (20) comprises a well casing (30), a production tubing (40), a source of time-varying current (68), a downhole tracer injection device (60), and a downhole induction choke (90). The casing (30) extends within a wellbore of the well (20). The tubing (40) extends within the casing (30). The current source (68) is located at the surface. The current source (68) is electrically connected to, and adapted to output a time-varying current into, the tubing (40) and/or the casing (30), which act as electrical conductors for providing downhole power and/or communications to the injection device (60). The injection device (60) comprises a communications and control module (80), a tracer material reservoir (82), and an electrically controllable tracer injector (84). The communications and control module (80) is electrically connected to the tubing (40) and/or the casing (30). The downhole induction choke (90) is located about a portion of the tubing (40) and/or the casing (30).

Abstract: A petroleum well having a communication system and a hydraulic system is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole and a piping structure positioned within the borehole. The communication system supplies a time varying electric current downhole along the piping structure. The hydraulic system (70), which is positioned downhole proximate the piping structure (26), receives the time varying current to operate an electric motor (78). The motor drives a pump (76) which pressurizes hydraulic fluid to selectively drive an actuator (84). The actuator (84) is operably connected to a downhole device, such as a shutoff valve, and operates the downhole device as the actuator (84) is driven by the pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of a petroleum well is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole, a piping structure (24) positioned within the borehole, and a tubing string (26) positioned within the borehole for conveying a production fluid. Production of the well is optimized by determining a flow rate of the production fluid within the tubing string (26) and determining a lift-gas injection rate for the gas being injected into the tubing string. The flow rate and injection rate data is communicated along the piping structure of the well to a selected location (44), where the data is collected and analyzed.

Abstract: A petroleum well (20) for producing petroleum products that incoroprates a system adapted to provide power to a down-hole device (50) in the well (20). The system comprises a current impedance device (70) and a downhole power storage device (112). The current impedance device (70) is positioned such that when a time-varying electrical current is transmitted through the portion of a piping structure (30 and/or 40) a voltage potential forms between one side (81) of the current impedance device (70) and another side (82) of the current impedance device (70). The device (112) is adapted to be electrically connected to the piping structure (30 and/or 40) across the voltage potential formed by the current impedance device (70), is adapted to be recharged by the electrical current, and is adapted to be electrically connected to the downhole device (50) to provide power to the downhole device (50) as needed.

Abstract: A petroleum well having a borehole extending into a formation is provided. A piping structure is positioned within the borehole, and an induction choke is positioned around the piping structure downhole. A communication system is provided along the piping structure between a surface of the well and the induction choke. A downhole module is positioned on an exterior surface of the piping structure and is configured to measure characteristics of the formation. The formation characteristics, such as pressure and resistivity, are communicated to the surface of the well along the piping structure.

Abstract: The existence and rate of corrosion in a section of a well tubing or well casing is determined and monitored by installing at predetermined locations as the string is placed in the well bore, sections of pipe (20) that have been fitted with an array of piezoelectric transducers (26) and a microprocessor (28) that controls signals going to and from each array of transducers and signals going to and received from controls and intrumentation apparatus located at the earth's surface. The microprocessors at varying locations along the string are electrically connected to the surface control and instrumentation apparatus by conductor cables and/or by wireless means using the pipe string as the conductive path for electrical signals.