A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FAULT DETECTION DURING A PLUNGER LIFT OPERATION IN HYDROCARBON WELLS

摘要

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for plunger fault monitoring for a plunger operation cycle, wherein the method comprises providing an upper bound and a lower bound for each of sensor operation measurements, followed by providing dynamic change capturing and providing estimated operational data. Subsequently, the method involves obtaining plunger operation measurements during the plunger operation cycle, which are then compared with the corresponding upper and lower bound for each sensor operation to determine a sensor condition. If the sensor condition is found to be normal, then the plunger operation measurements are compared with dynamic change capturing to determine a structural condition. If the structural condition is determined to be normal, then the method of the invention comprises comparing the plunger operation measurements with estimated operational data based on at least one of historic plunger operation cycles, or a pre-defined plunger operation model to determine a behavioral condition.