Oil field production automation method and apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for the remote testing of a plurality of producing oil wells comprising: a master station including a printing unit and digital data processing means for selecTively generating instruction signals; a satellite station remote from said master station and including digital data storage means, switch means, a plurality of sensors responsive to the temperature, the pressure and the constituency of production fluid each remote from said storage means for monitoring production fluid at each of said plurality of oil wells and for each generating a digital signal related to a condition thereof, and circuit means for applying said digital signals to said storage means; and a data transmission system connected between said master station and said satellite station including commercial, voice quality telephone lines and a plurality of commercial telephone switching exchanges for selectively connecting said data processing means at said master station to said data storage means at said satellite station for the selective transmission of data from said data storage means at said satellite station to said data processing means at said master station and for the selective transmission of said instruction signals from said data processing means at said master station to said switch means at said satellite station.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said master station includes means for selectively generating commercial telephone dialing signals, and wherein said satellite station includes means for electrically connecting said satellite station to said master station in response to said commercial telephone dialing signals.

Claim 4

transferring each of the first and second characters received at said satellite station from said serial registers into parallel storage registers;

Claim 5

transferring each of the first and second characters received at said satellite station from said serial registers into parallel storage registers;

Claim 6

decoding the contents of the parallel registers when two characters are stored in said registers to provide satellite station control signals;

Claim 7

decoding the contents of the parallel registers when two characters are stored in said registers to provide satellite station control signals;

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the generation of said dialing signals is automatically and periodically instituted by said data processing means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said satellite station digital data storage means includes a plurality of digital accumulators, at least one of said accumulators being responsive to the condition of said switch means.

Claim 10

decoding the contents of the serial registers upon receipt and storage thereby of the third character; and

Claim 11

decoding the contents of the serial registers upon receipt and storage thereby of the third character; and

Claim 12

executing said control signals responsively to the decoding of the contents of said serial register; e. successively enabling a plurality of gates responsively to the periodic signal; and f. transmitting the stored data through the enabled gate responsively to the periodic signal.

Claim 13

executing said control signals responsively to the decoding of the contents of said serial register; e. successively enabling a plurality of gates responsively to the periodic signal; and f. transmitting the stored data through the enabled gate responsively to the periodic signal.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said digital data processing means includes: a computer, means for storing the data transmitted from said satellite station, means for displaying said stored data, and circuit means interfacing said computer to said printing unit.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said instruction signals each comprise at least one character, said character being defined by at least five serially arranged bits of binary information.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said data storage means includes: first means for storing at least five bits of binary information: clock means for clocking said character into said first storage means; decode means responsive to said first storage means when enabled; and means responsive to said clock means for enabling said decode means.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said digital storage means includes means for storing the data clocked into said first storage means upon the enabling thereof.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 7 including second storage means for storing at least five bits of binary information; wherein said clock means includes means for clocking said second character into said second storage means; and wherein said decode means is responsive to said first and second storage means.

Claim 19

Apparatus for the remote testing of a plurality of producing oil wells comprising: a master station including a printing unit and digital data processing means for selectively generating instruction signals; a satellite station remote from said master station and including digital data storage means, switch means, a plurality of condition responsive sensors each remote from said storage means for monitoring production fluid at each of said plurality of oil wells and for each generating a digital signal related to a condition thereof, and circuit means for applying said digital signals to said storage means; said satellite station further including: a gas/liquid separator having both gas and liquid outlet means; means responsive to said switch means for supplying the production fluid from a selected one of sAid oil wells to said separator; and a net oil analyzer for generating a digital signal related to the constituency of the fluid in said liquid outlet means; and a data transmission system connected between said master station and said satellite station including commercial, voice quality telephone lines and a plurality of commercial telephone switching exchanges for selectively connecting said data processing means at said master station to said data storage means at said satellite station for the selective transmission of data from said data storage means at said satellite station to said data processing means at said master station and for the selective transmission of said instruction signals from said data processing means at said master station to said switch means at said satellite station.

Claim 20

Apparatus for the remote testing of a plurality of producing oil wells comprising: a master station including a printing unit and digital data processing means for selectively generating instruction signals; a satellite station remote from said master station and including digital data storage means, switch means, a plurality of condition responsive sensors each remote from said storage means for monitoring production fluid at each of said plurality of oil wells and for each generating a digital signal related to a condition thereof, and circuit means for applying said digital signals to said storage means; said satellite station further including: a gas/liquid separator having both gas and liquid outlet means; means responsive to said switch means for supplying the production fluid from a selected one of sAid oil wells to said separator; and a net oil analyzer for generating a digital signal related to the constituency of the fluid in said liquid outlet means; and a data transmission system connected between said master station and said satellite station including commercial, voice quality telephone lines and a plurality of commercial telephone switching exchanges for selectively connecting said data processing means at said master station to said data storage means at said satellite station for the selective transmission of data from said data storage means at said satellite station to said data processing means at said master station and for the selective transmission of said instruction signals from said data processing means at said master station to said switch means at said satellite station.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said satellite station digital data storage means includes a plurality of digital accumulators, at least one of said accumulators being responsive to the condition of said switch means.

Claim 22

The data terminal unit of claim 11 inlcuding means for inhibiting the accumulation of data in said accumulators during the period of time in which one of said gates is enabled.

Claim 23

Apparatus for the remote testing of a plurality of producing oil wells comprising: a master station including a printing unit and digital data processing means which comprises means for storing instructions to be transmitted to a satellite station and for selectively generating instruction signals; a satellite station remote from said master station and including digital data storage means comprising means for storing a received instruction from the master station, switch means, a plurality of condition responsive sensors each remote from said storage means for monitoring production fluid at each of said plurality of oil wells and for each generating a digital signal related to a condition thereof, and circuit means for applying said digital signal to said storage means; and at least one sensor responsive to said instruction storing means whereby stored instructions may be transmitted to said master station for comparison with the instructions there stored prior to the execution thereof by another instruction signal; and a data transmission system connected between said master station and said satellite station including commercial, voice quality telephone lines and a plurality of commercial telephone switching exchanges for selectively connecting said data processing means at said master station to said data storage means at said satellite station for the selective transmission of data from said data storage means at said satellite station to said data processing means at said master station and for the selective transmission of said instruction signals from said control means at said master station to said switch means at said satellite station.

Claim 24

Apparatus for the remote testing of a plurality of producing oil wells comprising: a master station including a printing unit and digital data processing means which comprises means for storing instructions to be transmitted to a satellite station and for selectively generating instruction signals; a satellite station remote from said master station and including digital data storage means comprising means for storing a received instruction from the master station, switch means, a plurality of condition responsive sensors each remote from said storage means for monitoring production fluid at each of said plurality of oil wells and for each generating a digital signal related to a condition thereof, and circuit means for applying said digital signal to said storage means; and at least one sensor responsive to said instruction storing means whereby stored instructions may be transmitted to said master station for comparison with the instructions there stored prior to the execution thereof by another instruction signal; and a data transmission system connected between said master station and said satellite station including commercial, voice quality telephone lines and a plurality of commercial telephone switching exchanges for selectively connecting said data processing means at said master station to said data storage means at said satellite station for the selective transmission of data from said data storage means at said satellite station to said data processing means at said master station and for the selective transmission of said instruction signals from said control means at said master station to said switch means at said satellite station.

Claim 25

A data handling system for sequentially connecting a central control station to each of a plurality of satellite stations for monitoring and recording data received from said satellite stations and for transmitting command and command execution signals to control conditions at the satellite station, said central control station and each of said satellite stations being connected by a commercial voice quality telephone transmission channel including commercial telephone switching exchanges whereby each satellite station is called by automatic dialing apparatus located at the central control station; said central control station comprising: a register means for recording data received from each satellite station, and a printing unit for generating command signals for effecting said commands at the satellite station; a data transmission link connecting said central control station to each of said satellite stations comprising a commercial telephone line connected through switching exchanges and having voice quality characteristics; and a plurality of satellite stations remote from eAch other and from the central control station with each satellite station comprising: a plurality of registers for storing data indicative of conditions detected at said remote station, a plurality of means for varying said conditions, and scanning means for scanning sequentially the data storage registers, switching means responsive to the instruction effecting signal from said central control station for selectively enabling one of said scanning means and said means for varying said conditions, and means for inhibiting condition changes in the register being scanned during the period of time in which the associated scanning means is enabled.

Claim 26

A data handling system for sequentially connecting a central control station to each of a plurality of satellite stations for monitoring and recording data received from said satellite stations and for transmitting command and command execution signals to control conditions at the satellite station, said central control station and each of said satellite stations being connected by a commercial voice quality telephone transmission channel including commercial telephone switching exchanges whereby each satellite station is called by automatic dialing apparatus located at the central control station; said central control station comprising: a register means for recording data received from each satellite station, and a printing unit for generating command signals for effecting said commands at the satellite station; a data transmission link connecting said central control station to each of said satellite stations comprising a commercial telephone line connected through switching exchanges and having voice quality characteristics; and a plurality of satellite stations remote from eAch other and from the central control station with each satellite station comprising: a plurality of registers for storing data indicative of conditions detected at said remote station, a plurality of means for varying said conditions, and scanning means for scanning sequentially the data storage registers, switching means responsive to the instruction effecting signal from said central control station for selectively enabling one of said scanning means and said means for varying said conditions, and means for inhibiting condition changes in the register being scanned during the period of time in which the associated scanning means is enabled.

Claim 27

Apparatus comprising: a central station including means for generating and transmitting instruction signals each comprising a two character instruction where each of said characters is defined by a predetermined plurality of binary pulses serially arranged in accordance with a predetermined code, and a satellite station remote from said central station comprising: means for receiving said instruction signals, said receiving means including input timing circuit means responsive to the receipt of a first binary pulse in each of said instruction signals for generating input timing signals, and input storage means for temporarily storing said instruction signals responsively to said timing signals; decode circuit means for generating control signals in response to said stored instruction signals and to said input timing signals; sensor means for generating a plurality of digital signals each related to a variable condition; control means for controlling at least one of said variable conditions: switch means for selectively operating said control means responsively to said control signals; data storage means for storing said digital signals; and means for selectively transmitting said stored digital signals to said central location responsively to said control signals.

Claim 28

Apparatus comprising: a central station including means for generating and transmitting instruction signals each comprising a two character instruction where each of said characters is defined by a predetermined plurality of binary pulses serially arranged in accordance with a predetermined code, and a satellite station remote from said central station comprising: means for receiving said instruction signals, said receiving means including input timing circuit means responsive to the receipt of a first binary pulse in each of said instruction signals for generating input timing signals, and input storage means for temporarily storing said instruction signals responsively to said timing signals; decode circuit means for generating control signals in response to said stored instruction signals and to said input timing signals; sensor means for generating a plurality of digital signals each related to a variable condition; control means for controlling at least one of said variable conditions: switch means for selectively operating said control means responsively to said control signals; data storage means for storing said digital signals; and means for selectively transmitting said stored digital signals to said central location responsively to said control signals.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 15 including: means for storing said control data signal responsive to a first predetermined control signal from said decode circuit means; means for applying said stored control data signal to said switch means to execute the desired operation of said control means responsively to a second predetermined control signal from said decode circuit means.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 16 including means for retransmitting said stored control data signal to said central location prior to executing said control data signal.

Claim 31

Apparatus comprising: a central station including means for generating and transmitting instruction signals each comprising a plurality of binary pulses serially arranged in accordance with a predetermined code; and a satellite station remote from said central station comprising: means for receiving said instruction signals, said receiving means including input timing circuit means responsive to the receipt of a first binary pulse in each of said instruction signals for generating input timing signals, and input storage means for temporarily storing said instruction signals responsively to said timing signals, said input storage means comrising first, second, and third storage registers, and said input timing circuit comprising means for successively loading one instruction character into each of said first, second, and third storage registers; decode circuit means for generating control signals in response to said stored instruction signals and to said input timing signals; sensor means for generating a plurality of digital signals each related to a variable condition; data storage means for storing said digital signals; and means for selectively transmitting said stored digital signals to said central location responsively to said control signals.

Claim 32

Apparatus comprising: a central station including means for generating and transmitting instruction signals each comprising a plurality of binary pulses serially arranged in accordance with a predetermined code; and a satellite station remote from said central station comprising: means for receiving said instruction signals, said receiving means including input timing circuit means responsive to the receipt of a first binary pulse in each of said instruction signals for generating input timing signals, and input storage means for temporarily storing said instruction signals responsively to said timing signals, said input storage means comrising first, second, and third storage registers, and said input timing circuit comprising means for successively loading one instruction character into each of said first, second, and third storage registers; decode circuit means for generating control signals in response to said stored instruction signals and to said input timing signals; sensor means for generating a plurality of digital signals each related to a variable condition; data storage means for storing said digital signals; and means for selectively transmitting said stored digital signals to said central location responsively to said control signals.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said decode circuit means includes: means for generating control signals responsively to the instruction characters in Said second and third storage registers; and, means for generating control signals responsively to the instruction character in said first storage register.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said satellite station includes a gas/liquid separator having both gas and liquid outlet means, and means responsive to said control signals for selectively supplying production fluid from a selected one of a plurality of oil wells to said separator; and, wherein each of said plurality of digital signals is related to a variable physical condition of the fluid in said outlet means.

Claim 37

The method of claim 1 including the step of selectively generating a series of electrical pulses arranged in a predetermined code at the central station for transmission over the telephonic transmission link to the common location to effect the modification of a condition of one of the wells.

Claim 42

The method of claim 24 wherein the communication link is established by: selectively generating commercial telephone signals corresponding to a telephone number assigned to a predetermined satellite station; and, operatively connecting the selected predetermined satellite station to the master station via commercial telephone lines and switching stations responsively to the generated dialing signals.

Claim 43

The method of claim 24 wherein the communication link is established by selectively generating commercial telephone calling signals to a predetermined satellite station periodically and automatically; and operatively connecting the selected predetermined satellite station to the master station via commercial telephone lines and switching stations responsively to the generated dialing signals.

Claim 44

The method of claim 24 wherein instruction signals are generated by operating a preprogrammed computer at the master station.

Claim 45

The method of claim 24 wherein said instruction signals are generated by operating a teletype unit at the master station.

Claim 46

The method of claim 24 including the steps of: sensing a plurality of physical conditions at the satellite station; and, transmitting an alarm indication to the master station in response to the sensing of an abnormal condition.