Lindon Dugan & Lance Howard, Lufkin Automation
For years questions concerning problem wells have been answered thru well analysis. Current RPC technology can predict well problems, manage pumping wells, and control cycle times via the downhole pump card. This leap in technology goes beyond normal pump-off control to total well management. Guesses can be made viewing the surface card. Decisions are made viewing the pump card. Utilizing diagnostic software within the control providing the operator both the surface card and downhole pump card is like having a dynamometer and analyst on the well 24 hours a day. This downhole card detecting pump fillage will assist the operator in detecting problems in the well in advance of equipment failure, aid in diagnosing downhole conditions while maximizing production. Why control a well with peak and minimum load violations when you can MANAGE the entire beam pumping system from electric motor to downhole pump. In addition, enhanced historical data and analysis capability are available. This paper will review the anomalies of the surface card with answers provided by the downhole pump card. Actual well analysis comparisons, computer predictive comparisons, and data from Pump-off controls currently using pump card technology will be used in making operating decisions.