What are the advantages and disadvantages of the computerized Well Analyzer versus the Model M strip chart acoustic liquid level instrument?

The computerized Well Analyzer is a complete well analysis system. 

The Well Analyzer will perform a single shot acoustic liquid level depth measurement, acquire and analyze acoustic pressure transient data obtained at the surface of the well, perform dynamometer tests and acquire and analyze motor power and current data. Any one or all of these tests can be performed with the Well Analyzer depending upon the sensors selected.

The Well Analyzer utilizes a notebook computer with analog to digital electronic circuitry to receive data from a variety of sensors. Data about each well is entered into the software. Input well data includes well depth, pressure datum depth, casing size, tubing size, pump size, rod sizes, motor characteristics, pumping unit description and other pertinent data for the test being performed. Acoustic, pressure, dynamometer and motor power/current data are acquired in the field and processed by the computer software in conjunction with the well data to obtain a complete well analysis. This data can be saved and recalled later. The data can be sent by email and other means for processing on other computers. This software for acquiring and analyzing the data can be downloaded at www.echometer.com for demonstrating its capabilities of recalling and processing field data. The well data is organized into directories using conventional Windows. This powerful user-friendly software aids the operator in data storage, data acquisition and analysis.

The Well Analyzer can be used to obtain a single shot liquid level measurement on a well. Concurrently, the casing pressure is acquired. This data is processed to determine the liquid level depth, casing annulus gas flow rate, gradient of the gaseous liquid column in the casing annulus, bottomhole pressure, maximum production rate and other useful information about the well.

The Well Analyzer can be operated in an automatic mode to acquire acoustic pressure transient data. The Well Analyzer is left unattended at the well and the software is programmed to acquire data at the desired rate. The data is processed to determine casing pressure, liquid level depth, bottomhole pressures, gas and liquid flow rates and other pertinent reservoir information. The software processes the data to analyze the well's characteristics. The pressure transient data can be transferred to other software programs for analysis if desired.

The Well Analyzer will perform dynamometer tests. It can be used in conjunction with a standard 4" horseshoe transducer, a 5" horseshoe transducer utilizing an easy insertion spacer spool, or a polished rod transducer. Conventional analysis includes a surface dynamometer card, pump card, traveling valve test, standing valve test, pump leakage, gearbox torque analysis, beam loading, rod loading and other parameters. All of this data is presented to the operator and can be printed or transferred to other computers for further analysis.

The Well Analyzer is used with a motor current sensor to obtain motor loading and to determine whether the pumping unit is rod heavy or counterweight heavy. The current data is acquired with dynamometer data if desired.

The Well Analyzer is used with a motor-current sensor to obtain motor power and motor current. The analysis includes overall electrical efficiency, pumping unit balance, motor loading, proper motor sizing and electricity cost. The motor-current data is acquired with dynamometer data if desired.

The advantage of the computerized Well Analyzer is the capability of obtaining a complete well analysis with a minimum of effort and time on the part of the operator. The disadvantage of the Well Analyzer is that the operator needs to be familiar with computer and software operations.

The Model M strip chart recorder is a very simple instrument for obtaining liquid level depth in the casing annulus of a well. 

The instrument utilizes a dual-channel recorder so that the collars can be accented on one channel while the liquid level response is accented on a second channel. The Model M can be operated in an automatic mode where the operator simply turns the unit on. A microprocessor automatically selects the proper gain settings for the collar channel as well as the liquid level channel.

The Model M allows the operator to determine the number of tubing joints from the surface to the liquid level and hence the liquid level depth. In conjunction with the liquid level test, the operator should obtain the casing pressure and the casing pressure buildup rate over a few minutes. This information can be entered into a free software program AWP'98 to determine the casing annulus gas flow rate and the bottomhole pressure even with a gaseous liquid column in the casing annulus. The main advantages of the Model M strip chart instrument are simple operation and ease of use. The disadvantage of the Model M is that an operator cannot perform a more complete well analysis that would include dynamometer measurements, motor power-current analysis and unattended pressure transient data acquisition and analysis.

The Model M and Well Analyzer can be operated with a variety of gas guns.

The most common gas gun used with the Model M is the Compact Gas Gun that is a manually operated gun. The Model M can also be operated with the Remote Fire Gas Gun that allows the operator to operate the Remote Fire Gas Gun from the Model M instrument panel while being located 25 feet from the well. The Well Analyzer is normally operated with the Remote Fire Gas Gun. Upon software or operator command, the Well Analyzer actuates a solenoid in the Remote Fire Gas Gun to generate an acoustic pulse.

 

 

 

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