Patent ID: 6840317

Claim:
A method for optimizing the production of fluid in a petroleum well having a borehole and a piping structure positioned within the borehole, comprising the steps of: determining a flow rate of the production fluid downhole in the borehole using a sensor positioned downhole in the borehole and powered using an AC signal applied to the piping structure as a conductor; determining a lift-gas injection rate for an amount of lift-gas being injected into the well; communicating the flow rate data and the lift-gas injection rate data; and collecting and analyzing the flow rate data and the lift-gas injection rate data to determine an optimum operating point for the petroleum well, wherein the step of determining the flow rate further comprises the steps of: measuring a first pressure of the production fluid within a first pipe section of the tubing string; measuring a second pressure of the production fluid within a second pipe section of the tubing string, the second pipe section being greater in diameter than the first pipe section; and determining the flow rate of the production fluid based upon the first pressure and the second pressure.