Down-hole liquid level control for hydrocarbon wells
This invention provides for an apparatus that controls a liquid level down-hole of a hydrocarbon producing well by physically monitoring the liquid level down-hole having a down-hole liquid level measurer and a signal device connected to the liquid level measurer that causes a pump to adjust its current liquid output based on the liquid level down-hole as measured by the down-hole liquid level measurer.
1. An apparatus that controls the liquid level down-hole of a hydrocarbon producing well comprising:
(a) a down-hole sensor that determines a pressure above a pump in a hydrocarbon producing well;
(b) a surface pressure sensor that determines gas within the well bore; and
(c) a controller connected to the down-hole pressure sensor, the surface pressure sensor, and the pump wherein the controller calculates and controls the liquid level down-hole by using the down-hole pressure reading and the surface pressure reading to determine the liquid level down-hole and adjusting the pump so that the liquid level down-hole is maintained at a predetermined level.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the algorithm to calculate the liquid level down-hole is:
y
-
x
sw
=
z
where x=surface pressure;
y=down-hole pressure;
z=liquid level; and
sw=specific weight.