Patent ID: 8636478

Claim:
A fluid monitoring system for monitoring one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a subsurface well having a well fluid level, the subsurface well including a surface region and a riser pipe that extends in a downwardly direction from the surface region, the fluid monitoring system comprising: a sensor apparatus positioned within the subsurface well, the sensor apparatus including a sensor that senses one of the fluid properties of the fluid; a pump assembly that is mechanically connected to and spaced apart from the sensor apparatus, the pump assembly being positioned within the subsurface well and substantially between the sensor apparatus and the surface region, the pump assembly being adapted to (i) pump the fluid so that the sensor can sense one or more fluid properties of the fluid, and (ii) pump the fluid past the surface region via a fluid outlet line; and a zone isolation assembly including (i) a docking receiver that is coupled to the riser pipe, and (ii) a docking apparatus that is coupled to the sensor apparatus, the docking apparatus moving from a disengaged position with the docking receiver to an engaged position with the docking receiver by the force of gravity.