Tatneft Rod Pump Controller SCADA System

The Site

Within the Russian Federation, the site provides a stern environment test of the system installed. The extreme conditions encountered on the Romashkino field provide temperature spans of between -40° to +40°C.

The Requirement

Tatneft required an automation system:

• To provide local control monitoring of a number of their rod pumped wells.
• To improve the efficiency of the pumping unit and provide an increase in oil production.

The Solution

The solution included a central host computer system comprised of a standard IBM compatible 486 computer (running eP’s CAC CMCS software package), monitor, and printer. This computer communicated with the remote rod pump controllers via a combination of hardware and radio links.

Each controller interfaced with the existing pumping unit motor contractor panels. Pump instrumentation was provided with individual barriers to provide intrinsically safe transducers to measure pump load and position data.

Rod Pump Control and Monitoring

eP is an industry leader in providing rod pump control services with thousands of rod pump controllers installed and operating worldwide. A segment of eP’s artificial lift control and enhanced oil recovery automation systems, the CAC 8800 Rod Pump Controller is designed to operate a sucker rod pumping system in the most efficient way while also monitoring for pumping system problems.

Communication System

A requirement of the project was that the communication system adapted to the customers existing cable network that had been installed between wells. The host computer communicated with a 450 Mhz base radio transceiver via a modem link using the existing cable, with this transceiver providing wide area radio coverage of the surrounding oilfield.

Host Computer Software

A version of eP’s CAC Central Monitoring and Control System data acquisition software was installed on the host computer. It allows remote viewing of live dynamometer data, start-up and shutdown data and information such as run-times, loads and other downhole analysis, net torque and permissible load analysis as well as load versus time plots.

The Benefits

• Maintenance costs are reduced. Rod parts, tubing wear, gear box, and pump failures due to fluid pound are virtually eliminated.
• Production is maximized. Pump run-time is monitored to detect pump wear, and tubing leaks, allowing preventative maintenance to be taken before production is lost. Also since problems are quickly detected, downtime due to failures is minimized thereby maximizing production.
• Energy is saved. The pumping system operates only when the pump is full. No energy is wasted by operating when the pump only partially fills.
• Manpower is utilized more efficiently. The CAC 8800 eliminates time spent checking wells that are operating properly and helps direct attention to wells that have problems.