Patent ID: 6283207
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
Method for controlling a liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons production well of the gushing type, the well comprising at least one production column extended at its upper part by an outlet pipe for the hydrocarbons and fitted with variable aperture means for controlling a hydrocarbons flow rate, the method comprising a start-up phase which comprises performing the following sequence of steps:initiating hydrocarbons production which comprises:(a) gradually opening the control means to a predetermined value so as to achieve a predetermined minimum hydrocarbons flow rate,(b) comparing the hydrocarbons flow rate with a predetermined minimum flow rate threshold and if the said hydrocarbons flow rate exceeds the said minimum flow rate threshold, suspending the opening of the control means for the duration that the minimum flow rate threshold is exceeded,ramping up to production speed which comprises performing the following operations:(c) comparing the hydrocarbons flow rate with a predetermined flow rate threshold T1 and if the said flow rate exceeds the said flow rate threshold continuously for a predetermined length of time D1, increasing the aperture of the control means to a predetermined value, otherwise repeating the comparison in this step (c),(d) waiting for a predetermined length of time to allow the minimum hydrocarbons flow rate to become established,(e) comparing the hydrocarbons flow rate with a flow rate threshold T2 higher than T1 and comparing pressure upstream of the control means with a predetermined pressure threshold P1 and if the said flow rate exceeds T2 and the said pressure simultaneously exceeds P1 continuously for the length of time D1, performing the operation of a production phase, otherwise repeating the comparison of steps (c), (d) and (e).