Patent ID: 7464753
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for optimizing the operation of a plunger lift well comprising a well casing, production string within the well casing, a take-off line in fluid communication with the production string, a plunger within the production string, a plunger lift control valve connected between the production and the take-off line, and a controller system having a memory and a non-linear Zadehan logic engine, wherein the controller system serves to open and close the plunger lift control valve according to values calculated or stored within the controller system, said method comprising the steps of: a) entering a predetermined value for well depth, close time, and afterflow time into the controller system memory, wherein the controller system automatically calculates the open time based on the entered predetermined values; b) conducting one or more operating cycles wherein the controller system opens and closes the plunger lift control valve to allow fluids or hydrocarbons to flow into the take-off line, said one or more operating cycles comprising: c) adjusting the close time or the afterflow time, wherein the non-linear Zadehan logic engine evaluates well measurements from one or more previously completed operating cycles stored in the controller system memory and adjusts the close time and afterflow time according to said evaluations; d) conducting one or more adjusted operation cycles, each adjusted operation cycle comprising: