System of Integrated Production

Pumped wells are known for eventual steep decline curves. This is associated with gas breakthrough and a high gas-to-oil ratio.
Operators try common mitigation tools such as gas separators, gas turbines and gas shrouds, with VSD and other smart pump controllers. Often, pumped wells are controlled by a PID system. But these tactics only partially work. Gas interference and gas lock will still cause pumps to pump-off for multiple hours a day.

This results in a major loss of oil and gas production, high field labor costs and the resulting wear on pumps that lead to constant and expensive pump replacements. The total event and replacement cost can total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

SIP’s integrated programs and algorithms are predictive, memory-based A.I. similar to that of self-driving cars.  They are housed in the cloud and send commands to a wellhead casing valve. The increased pressure pushes down the liquid column and initially raises both bottom hole flowing pressure (Pwf) and pump intake pressure (PIP).  Employing fluid property laws governing the flow of oil, water and gas, the program uses more than 30 data points in each well to determine the ideal pressure near to the bubble point to increase production and stability by keeping more free gas in solution. To minimize the oil’s viscosity and preferentially maximize its mobility, the A.I. continually predicts the data point trade-offs as each particular well faces its unique PVT and relative permeability behavior. These increases in oil mobility and pump efficiency are intended to increase oil production. The accompanying gas means more gas production, too.  Both Pwf and PIP, meanwhile, drop in a self-reinforcing cycle.  In raising the gas-oil ratio (GOR), the pressure also reduces—and often helps minimize—the interference that free gas causes in the pump. In this transitional state, gas surges coming up from downhole are inherently moderated, too.  Meanwhile, as water does not absorb gas, the water in the liquid solution does not become more mobile and requires more effort to access pore throat space.  This may result in less water being produced.