Abstract:
A system and method for monitoring and managing wellhead production and costs associated therewith. Electronic equipment is placed at the well head to monitor the volume of product lifted from at a wellhead. The equipment monitors both the volume and the percentage of products lifted and stored at the well head. The status of the separation and the volume can be monitored in real time or on a delayed time basis. The data is displayed on a map and used to identify efficient routes for gathering the lifted product at an appropriate time. The data may be displayed in a user interface which displays desired data in connection with each well head in a represented geographic region.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Systems and methods for monitoring reporting and managing wellhead production and waste are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods for tracking and mapping products produced from a wellhead whereby to coordinate sales, shipping, disposal, and transportation of desired materials and associated waste products are disclosed. 
         [0003]    2. Background and Related Art 
         [0004]    As demands for energy continue to grow, the need for reduction in costs associated with production of gas and oil also increases. Further, as the number of active wells increases, so do the complexities in efficiently monitoring and managing the large number of wells. Traditionally, a well log or borehole log was kept whereby to record all phases of a well&#39;s development, including drilling, completing, producing and abandoning. However, this method requires onsite analysis of the well which is inefficient and costly. 
         [0005]    Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to manage and record the activity of oil and gas wells, challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Systems and methods for managing wellhead production are described. In particular, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking and mapping products produced from a wellhead whereby to coordinate sales, shipping, disposal, and transportation of desired materials and associated waste products and to enable a greater efficiency of production. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments, a wellhead tracking and managing system is provided having a system of sensors that monitor the wellhead conditions generally and provide real or near real time data regarding the status of pumped or lifted product which may include water, gas, volatile organic compounds, oil, or other pumped products available for removal or disposal. In some implementations, a data transmitting device is provided whereby data obtained from the system of sensors is transmitted to a remotely located data processing unit. The data processing unit catalogs the data and provides reports in response to data inquiries. In some implementations, data processing unit further includes a computer readable program that coordinates reception and analysis of data from the system of sensors that monitor the wellhead conditions. 
         [0008]    In some implementations, a wellhead tracking and managing system is provided further comprising flow control device, wherein the distribution of a product from the system is monitored and controlled by a flow control device. Accordingly, in some implementations flow data is retrieved by the flow control device and sent to the data processing unit via the data transmitting device. In other implementations, the flow control device is an integral part of the data transmitting unit. Data gathered from flow control device may be monitored or controlled in real-time or alternatively at a delayed time. 
         [0009]    In some implementations, a wellhead tracking and managing system is provided further comprising an offload validation unit, wherein the distribution of a product from the system is recorded and validated by the data processing unit. 
         [0010]    In some implementations, data stored within the data processing unit is sorted and provided to users in an online format. In some implementations, a user may customize the data to present the data in a desired format, and/or to remove any data that the user considers irrelevant to the user&#39;s inquiry. Further, in some implementations the stored data is used to increase the efficiency and decrease the costs associated with recovery and disposal of product lifted from the wellhead. In some implementations the data is interpreted remotely and then used to remotely control a variable production valve at the wellhead to optimize production levels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic of a system for implementing exemplary embodiments in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a networked system configuration that may be used in association with alternative embodiments in accordance with a representative embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a wellhead managing system in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a wellhead managing system in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a flow chart of a process for managing data from a wellhead managing system in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of a wellhead managing system having a flow control unit in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a flow chart of a process for managing data from a wellhead managing system in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of a wellhead managing system having an offload validation unit in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a flow chart of a process for managing data from a wellhead managing system in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a flow chart of various processes and methods for displaying stored data in accordance with alternative representative embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows an online format display of stored data in accordance with alternative representative embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 12-17  show various online format maps displaying various stored data in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 18-23  show various online format maps displaying various stored data in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A description of alternative representative embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the alternative representative embodiments may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in which some embodiments may be implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced by one or more computing devices and in a variety of system configurations, including in a networked configuration. However, while the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be particularly useful in association with a system comprising a general purpose computer, embodiments include utilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systems with general purpose processing units, digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand alone electronic devices, and other such electronic environments. 
         [0027]    Some alternative embodiments embrace one or more computer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. The computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing various different functions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing system to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable media include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable instructions that may be accessed by a processing system. While embodiments of the invention embrace the use of all types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited in the claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, and the phrases “tangible computer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable medium” (or plural variations) used herein are intended to exclude transitory propagating signals per se. 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a representative system for implementing embodiments of the invention includes computer device  10 , which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computer device  10  may be a personal computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, a smart phone, a workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, or the like. 
         [0029]    Computer device  10  includes system bus  12 , which may be configured to connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus  12  may include one of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus  12  include processing system  14  and memory  16 . Other components may include one or more mass storage device interfaces  18 , input interfaces  20 , output interfaces  22 , and/or network interfaces  24 , each of which will be discussed below. 
         [0030]    Processing system  14  includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system  14  that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media, such as on memory  16 , a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium. 
         [0031]    Memory  16  includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system  14  through system bus  12 . Memory  16  may include, for example, ROM  28 , used to permanently store information, and/or RAM  30 , used to temporarily store information. ROM  28  may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”) having one or more routines that are used to establish communication, such as during start-up of computer device  10 . RAM  30  may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and/or program data. 
         [0032]    One or more mass storage device interfaces  18  may be used to connect one or more mass storage devices  26  to system bus  12 . The mass storage devices  26  may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to computer device  10  and allow computer device  10  to retain large amounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices  26  may be removable from computer device  10 . Examples of mass storage devices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical disk drives. A mass storage device  26  may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer-readable medium. Mass storage devices  26  and their corresponding computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one or more program modules such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. 
         [0033]    One or more input interfaces  20  may be employed to enable a user to enter data and/or instructions to computer device  10  through one or more corresponding input devices  32 . Examples of such input devices include a keyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, a digital camera, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces  20  that may be used to connect the input devices  32  to the system bus  12  include a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), an integrated circuit, a firewire (IEEE 1394), or another interface. For example, in some embodiments input interface  20  includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed for a particular application. In a further embodiment, the ASIC is embedded and connects existing circuit building blocks. 
         [0034]    One or more output interfaces  22  may be employed to connect one or more corresponding output devices  34  to system bus  12 . Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, a multi-functional peripheral, and the like. A particular output device  34  may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device  10 . Examples of output interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, and the like. 
         [0035]    One or more network interfaces  24  enable computer device  10  to exchange information with one or more other local or remote computer devices, illustrated as computer devices  36 , via a network  38  that may include hardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces include a network adapter for connection to a local area network (“LAN”) or a modem, wireless link, or other adapter for connection to a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network interface  24  may be incorporated with or peripheral to computer device  10 . In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system computer device  10  may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality of networked computer devices. 
         [0036]    Thus, while those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative embodiments may be practiced in a variety of different environments with many types of system configurations,  FIG. 2  provides a representative networked system configuration that may be used in association with embodiments. The alternative representative system of  FIG. 2  includes a computer device, illustrated as client  40 , which is connected to one or more other computer devices (illustrated as client  42  and client  44 ) and one or more peripheral devices (illustrated as multifunctional peripheral (MFP) MFP  46 ) across network  38 . While  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment that includes a client  40 , two additional clients, client  42  and client  44 , one peripheral device, MFP  46 , and optionally a server  48 , which may be a print server, connected to network  38 , alternative embodiments include more or fewer clients, more than one peripheral device, no peripheral devices, no server  48 , and/or more than one server  48  connected to network  38 . Other embodiments of the present invention include local, networked, or peer-to-peer environments where one or more computer devices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheral devices. Moreover, alternative exemplary embodiments also embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless networked environments, cellular or radio networked environments, satellite networked environments, and/or wide area networked environments, such as the Internet. 
         [0037]    Some alternative exemplary embodiments are used to monitor and track inventories of equipment such as storage tanks or desired products and waste products produced at a producing well site, such as an oil well, a gas well, a mine, and the like. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a non-limiting example of a producing well site  100 , is shown. In some embodiments, well site  100  comprises an oil wellhead  110  which has been completed and thereby enabled to produce oil or gas. In some embodiments, a fluid storage tank (i.e. a frac tank) or a plurality of fluid storage tanks  120  are fluidly coupled to wellhead  110 . Storage tanks  120  are commonly used for oil well fracturing methods whereby to increase production of a well. In some embodiments, chemicals  122  or a proppant are further added to storage tanks  120  as may be desired to facilitate various hydraulic fracturing methods. 
         [0038]    A product lifted from wellhead  110  typically includes various desired products and waste products that are separated prior to final recovery. In some embodiments, a product lifted from the wellhead  110  is recovered and placed into storage tanks  120  wherein the various components of the lifted product undergo a process of separation. In some embodiments, this process of separation is monitored and reported via a wellhead managing system and device  130  which is operably coupled to storage tanks  120 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a non-limiting embodiment of a wellhead managing system and device  130  is shown. In some embodiments, wellhead managing system and device  130  comprises a storage tank  120  having a sensor system of variable density floats  124 . In some embodiments, the variable density floats  124  are configured to translate along a rod  140  positioned within storage tank  120  to register the individual volumes of the various separated components within the lifted product  112 . Thus, the relative percent compositions of the separated components within the lifted product  112  may be monitored based on the differing densities of the components. 
         [0040]    For example, in some embodiments a lifted product  112  comprises a desired volatile organic compound component  114  having a first density, a desired hydrocarbon condensate component  116  having a second density, and an undesired waste water component  118  having a third density. Accordingly, in some embodiments the system of variable density floats  124  comprises a first float  126  having a density that is greater than component  114  and less dense that component  116 . As such, float  126  registers within storage tank  120  at a point between adjacent components  114  and  116 . Further, in some embodiments the system of variable density floats comprises a second float  128  having a density that is greater than component  116  and less dense than component  118 . As such, float  128  registers at a point between adjacent components  116  and  118 . 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the relative positions of the floats  126  and  128  determine completion of separation of components  114 ,  116  and  118  over time. For example, in some embodiments components  114 ,  116  and  118  undergo a period of separation within storage tank  120  prior to removal of said components from storage tank  120 . Thus, in some embodiments the relative positions of floats  126  and  128  are monitored and recorded to determine the point in time at which separation of components  114 ,  116  and  118  is completed. In some embodiments, the period of separation is completed when the positions of floats  126  and  128  become stagnant. In other embodiments, the period of separation is completed when fluctuation of the floats&#39; positions is limited to an acceptable amount of movement. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the sensor system of variable density floats  124  is operably coupled to a data transmission device  150 . Data transmission device  150  may include any technology or means whereby to transfer data from the system of variable density floats  124  to a remote data processing system  160 . For example, in some embodiments data transmission device  150  receives and transfers data  172  from the system of variable density floats  124  to the remote data processing system  160  via existing fixed lines, temporary lines, satellite  170  and satellite transmission  174 . In other embodiments, transmission device  150  utilizes at least one of microwave, fiber optic, internet protocol, cellular, radio, canobeam, terabeam, c-band, and ku-band transmission technologies to transfer data to the remote data processing system  160 . 
         [0043]    In some embodiment, data transmitting device  150  transmits data to data processing system  160  based on a timed interval such as pull technology where the data is requested from the data processing system  160 . In other embodiments, data transmitting device  150  comprises push technology whereby any warnings or alerts at the wellhead are automatically sent to the remote data processing system  160  from data transmitting device  150  as they occur. Further, in some embodiments an open network socket connection is provided to directly and operably connect the wellhead  110  with the central server or data processing system  160  in real time. This open network socket connection provides a constant, open communication channel with each wellhead or wellhead device which permits data processing unit  160  to receive data immediately as detected by the sensor  124 . The appropriate data transmitting protocol will be selected based on factors such as power management, signal strength, or connection availability. Thus, delays in reporting of warnings or alerts generated at the wellhead may be reduced or eliminated. 
         [0044]    Some embodiments of the wellhead managing system and device  130  provide a data feedback system whereby the activity of a remotely located wellhead  110  is monitored in real time. In some embodiments, data processing system  160  comprises a computer readable program loaded onto a computer device configured to receive and analyze data sent from the data transmission device  150 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments the data transmission device  150  tracks  200  the sensor system of variable density floats  124  associated with the storage tank or tanks of a desired well site, wellhead, or group of well sites or wellheads. Upon detection of sensor data  202 , data processing unit  160  captures the sensor data  204  and transfers the data  206  to the data processing unit  160 . The data processing unit  160  receives and catalogs the sensor data  208  until a data query is made  210 . In response to a data query, the data processing unit sorts and presents the requested data  212  to the requestor. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the step of receiving the sensor data  208  further includes a process for identifying the desired wellhead, or well site, and establishing communication between the data processing system  160  and the data transmission device  150 . The process for identifying the desired wellhead may include a step for selecting the wellhead from a list of accessible wellheads. For example, in some embodiments a database of traceable wellheads or wellhead managing systems  130  is provided, wherein each wellhead is assigned a unique identifier to enable directed access to the data of the desired wellhead. Alternative exemplary embodiments may display wellheads on an interaction map such as Google Earth®. The process of establishing communication may further include a step for accessing a secure server where the data from the data transmission device  150  has been encrypted or otherwise protected to prevent unauthorized access to and/or tampering with the sensor data. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a non-limiting embodiment of a wellhead managing system and device  230  is shown. In some embodiments, wellhead managing system and device  230  further comprises a flow control device  240  whereby to control and manage removal of components  114 ,  116  and  118  from storage tank  120 . For example, in some embodiments it is desirable to remove a waste product component  118  from storage tank  120  following separation of the various components of the lifted product  112 . Some storage tanks  120  further include a valve  242  to accommodate coupling of a transfer hose  244  to the storage tank  120 . The hose  244  is further coupled to a tanker truck  250  or another source for receiving the waste component from storage tank  120 . For example, in some embodiments hose  244  is coupled to a pipeline, or is placed in an evaporation or sediment pond whereby to further process the waste product component  118 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, access to the lifted product  112  through valve  242  is controlled by flow control device  240 . Further, in some embodiments flow control device  240  is controlled by data transmission device  150 . For example, in some embodiments a tanker truck  250  is fluidly coupled to storage tank  120  via hose  244  and valve  242  for the purpose of removing waste product component  118  from storage tank  120 . Flow control device  240  receives a signal from data transmission device  150  indicating the volume of component  118  within storage tank  120 , based on the relative position of second float  128 . Upon request, flow control device  240  opens valve  242  thereby causing waste product component  118  to be transferred to truck  250  via hose  244 . Data transmission device  150  continues sending real time data to flow control device  240  indicating the decreasing volume of component  118  within storage tank  120 . When the volume of component  118  reaches a set minimum value within storage tank  120  (as indicated by a registered position of second float  128  on rod  140 ), flow control device  242  receives this minimum value and closes valve  242 , thereby preventing removal of desired components  116  and  114  from storage tank  120 . 
         [0049]    In other embodiments, flow control device  240  receives instructions indicating a specified volume of waste component  118  to be removed from storage tank  120  via valve  242 . For example, if tanker truck  250  comprises an available volume that is less than the total volume of waste component  118  within storage tank  120 , the available volume of tanker truck  250  is provided to flow control device  240  thereby preventing overfilling of tanker truck  250 . In some embodiments, instructions are manually provided to flow control device  240  by direct entry via a key pad. In other embodiments, instructions are provided to flow control device  240  by scanning a barcode of an order provided to the flow control device  240  by the tanker truck  250 . Further, in some embodiments, tanker truck  250  sends an electronic signal to the wellhead managing system and device  230 , wherein the electronic signal contains instructions indicating a requested volume of waste component  118 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, flow control device  240  further comprises a flow density sensor which monitors the density of lifted product flowing through valve  242 . When the flow density sensor detects a change in density of lifted product, valve  242  is closed thereby preventing an unintended component from being transferred to tanker truck  250 . In some embodiments, flow control device  240  receives instruction from the flow density sensor to determine the time at which valve  242  is closed. In other embodiments, flow control device  240  receives and compares instructions from a flow density sensor, the sensor system of variable density floats  124 , and the tanker truck  250  to determine the optimal volume of lifted product to transfer through valve  242 . Accordingly, flow control device  240  accurately monitors and controls removal of lifted product from storage tank  120  via valve  242 . 
         [0051]    Following removal of waste component  118  from storage tank  120 , additional lifted product  112  may be placed in storage tank  120  for further separation processing. As with the previous embodiments, first and second floats  126  and  128  continue to provide real time data concerning the relative volumes of desired and waste products within storage tank  120 . Following further removal of waste component  118  from storage tank  120 , desired product components  114  and  116  may be removed from storage tank  120  via valve  242  and flow control device  240 , according to a similar procedure as previously explained for waste component  118 . 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, wellhead managing system and device  230  further comprise a feedback instruction  176  which is sent from the data processing device  160  to the flow control device  240  via existing fixed lines, temporary lines, microwave, fiber optic, internet protocol, cellular, radio, canobeam, terabeam, c-band, ku-band and/or satellite  170  transmission technologies. In some embodiments, feedback instruction  176  controls flow of lifted product  112  through valve  242 . For example, in some embodiments data processing device  160  sends instructions  176  to flow control device  240  to open or close valve  242 . In other embodiments, data processing device  160  sends instructions  176  to data transmitting device  150  and/or flow control device  240  to open or close variable valves associated with at least one of a wellhead  110 , a storage tank  120 , a tanker truck  250 , or other device to regulate pressure and production levels for wellhead managing system and device  230 . 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, data processing system  160  further comprises features for receiving and analyzing flow data sent from the data transmission device  150 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments data transmission device  150  tracks  200  the sensor system of variable density floats  124  associated with the storage tank or tanks of a desired well site, wellhead, or group of well sites or wellheads. Upon detecting removal or flow  214  of components from storage tank  120 , flow control  216  is enabled thereby limiting the volume of product and type of product removed from storage tank  120 . When the correct volume is achieved, flow ceases through valve  242  and final flow data  214  and sensor data  202  are captured by data transmission device  204  and transferred to data processing unit  160  preparatory to receiving a data query  210 , as discussed previously. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a non-limiting embodiment of a wellhead managing system and device  330  is shown. In some embodiments, wellhead managing system and device  330  further comprises an offload validation unit  350  whereby to validate the volume of product removed from storage tank  120  by tanker truck  250 , or other means of removal as previously discussed. In some embodiments, offload validation unit  350  comprises a transceiver capable of receiving  352  information from tanker truck  250  and transferring or transmitting  354  that information to data processing unit  160 . For example, in some embodiments it is desirable to confirm that the sensor system of variable density floats  124  is in proper working order. It would be difficult to access the interior of storage tanks  120  while storing lifted product  112 . Accordingly, in some embodiments data processing unit  160  compares sensor data from data transmitting device  150  to offload data from offload validation unit  350  to determine if there is a discrepancy. If a discrepancy is detected, the data processing unit  160  flags the storage tank  120  and/or sensor system  124  for inspection and repair. In some embodiments, data processing unit  160  further transfers or transmit instructions  176  to offload validation unit  350  that are subsequently transferred to at least one of tanker truck  250 , flow control device  240  and data transmitting device  150 . In other embodiments, data processing unit  160  transfers or transmits instruction  176  to offload validation unit  350  for calibration purposes. For example, in some embodiments a further offload validation occurs when tanker truck  250  disposes the lifted product  112  received from storage tank  120 . Information related to the additional offload validation is then communicated to offload validation unit  350  for calibration purposes. This information  354  may be further sent to the tanker truck  250 , flow control device  240  and data transmitting device  150  for calibration or other purposes. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments flow control device  240  further captures flow data  360  indicating the amount of product removed from the storage tank  120 . The flow data is then transmitted  370  and received  372  by data processing unit  160 . Upon performing a data query  310 , data processing unit  160  sorts the data  312  and provides the requested information. In some embodiments, offload validation unit  350  validates offload data  362  of tanker truck  250 . The validated data is then transmitted  364  and received  366  by data processing unit  160 . Data processing unit  160  then compares the offload data to the flow data to determine if there is a discrepancy. If a discrepancy exists, data processing unit  160  creates a flag for storage tank  120  and/or sensor system  124  for inspection and repair. The data processing unit  160  further catalogs the validated data until a data query is made  410 . In response to a data query, the data processing unit sorts and presents the requested data  412  to the requestor. In some embodiments, the validation data  362  is further used to track removal and disposal of desired and undesirable products from storage tank  120 , thereby providing a record of all activity related to the well site  100 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , various applications of the present invention are shown. In some embodiments, various sources of data from the wellhead managing systems and devices of the present invention are stored and coordinated within the data processing unit  160  to facilitate initial tracking  500  of desired and undesired products from well site  100 , as discussed above. Further, in some embodiments the data stored within data processing unit  160  is used to validate disposal  510  of the various components of the lifted product  112 . In some embodiments, data stored within data processing unit  160  is provided in a secured online format  520  thereby enabling remote access  530  to, and processing of the stored data. 
         [0058]    For example, referring now to  FIG. 11 , in some embodiments an online format of stored data is provided wherein a detailed report  540  displays queried data from the well site  100 . In some embodiments, report  540  displays well-related information such as the temperature of the well, productivity history for the well, location of the well, alerts and warnings, as well as the raw data received from the various sensors of the well. In other embodiments, report  540  comprises a user customizable report, wherein a user may select the data and features provided in the report. Further, in other embodiments a user is provided with an option to download raw data associated with the well site  100 , thereby enabling the user to implement the raw data into a preferred program or application as desired. 
         [0059]    In other embodiments, data stored within the data processing unit is displayed to a user by selecting a well site  100  or wellhead  110  from a map, as shown in  FIGS. 12-23 . For example, in some embodiments a user is able to access information relating to wellhead productivity, such as gas production activity, oil production activity, and water injection activity, as shown in  FIG. 12 . In other embodiments, a use is able to access information relating to wellhead chemical usage history, as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, a user is able to track a selected number of wellheads by creating a favorites list  600 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The user accesses various history details and statistics for the wellheads by selecting the predetermined wellheads from the favorites list  600 . In some embodiments, favorites list  600  is automatically generated based on the viewing history of the user. Thus, as the user accesses and views data relating to a wellhead selected from a map, the wellhead is automatically saved to list  600  for future access. The user may then track the activity history of the wellhead or well site over time, as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, this information is used to plan trucking routes so as to maximize efficiency while minimizing costs. For example, in some embodiments an option is provided wherein a user may select various wellheads or well sites on a map based upon the proximity of the well sites and the amount of product available at the site. The system then provides the user with an optimized route and a projected overall cost based upon the cost of the product, cost of fuel, cost of production, cost of disposal, driver&#39;s cost, permits, as well as other variables that contribute to the overall cost analysis. Each variable cost is monitored and displayable to allow a user to manage the pick-up and distribution or disposal of product. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments stored data from the data processing unit  160  is used to display regional well productivity based on a set color gradation or other form of reference key. A visual reference key may also be used to provide a visual report to the user of chemical usage and/or production for regional well sites. Further, in other embodiments a user is able to access status alerts and notifications in a map format, as shown in  FIG. 17 . In some embodiments, a user selects a plurality of well sites in which there is an interest in receiving status alerts and notifications. In other embodiments, a user is apprised of a status alert or notification only after selecting to view the status of a well site. Further, in other embodiments a status alert or notification is automatically generated by date processing unit  160  upon detection of a status event. In some embodiments, a flag is generated and linked to the well site, wherein the flag contains information related to the well site and the status alert or notification. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, wellhead information is accessed by a user via a plurality of tabs  700 . Tabs  700  may display preset categories of information, or may be set by a user to provide customized information, as desired. The tabs provide quick access to sorted data and information regarding the various wellheads within the current view of map  710 . In some embodiments, the user accesses global information regarding alerts for the various wellheads by selecting the alerts tab  702 . Upon selecting the alerts tab  702 , wellhead identification numbers are displayed under the tab  702  for all wellheads that currently report an alert. In some embodiments, the user accesses specific information  712  regarding the alert by selecting the wellhead identification number shown. In other embodiments, specific information  712  regarding the alert is displayed on map  702  when the user hovers the pointer of the mouse over at least one of the wellhead identification number, or the wellhead marker  704  on the map  710 . Further, upon selecting a wellhead identification number or marker  704 , summary information  714  is displayed for the wellhead in a quick view window  720 . 
         [0064]    Information and/or statistics regarding warnings for a wellhead may be viewed by selecting the warning tab  706 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . As with the previous example, specific information  712  is provided upon selecting a wellhead. For example, in some embodiments a warning is provided when the storage capacity of a wellhead is maximized. Summary information  714  is provided indicating percent capacity of the various components of the lifted product. Having been apprised of the wellhead&#39;s storage condition, the user may then schedule and dispatch a tanker truck to remove product from the storage tank. 
         [0065]    Information and/or statistics regarding other wellheads within the map view may be viewed by selecting a list tab  708 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . In some embodiments, wellheads listed under list tab  708  include all wellheads within the viewable geographical area of map  710 . In other embodiments, wellheads listed under list tab  708  comprise a group of wellheads selected by the user for quick reference and access, as described above. 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIGS. 21-23 , in some embodiments detailed information  716  is provided in an information window upon selecting a wellhead listed under list tab  708 . In some embodiments, detailed information  716  comprises information and statistics relating to the overall condition and performance of the wellhead, production history, tank level, condensate depth, water depth, sensor status, well name, API number, lease name, operator name, and various graphical displays of desired information. In some embodiments, the information window comprises features whereby a user may customize the view and content of the window as may be required and/or desired by the user. 
         [0067]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.