Texaco Inc.

Joseph L Porter

Albert P Richter

Jackie R Boyles

A well pressure monitoring system in which a hydrocarbon fluid is being produced through a Christmas tree or similar flow controller apparatus. Well pressure is transmitted through a tap-off communicated to a pressure sensor. The pressure is thereafter transmitted to a base or control station. To avoid a major uncontrolled flow of the hydrocarbon from the well in the event of inadvertent breakage or accident to the monitoring system, an excess flow control valve is positioned between the well flow and the pressure sensor. The excess flow valve functions to cut off fluid flow, but is provided with a vent passage in the valve actuator through which a minimal amount of the hydrocarbon can escape. When the damage to the monitoring system has been overcome, the vent passage will allow a downstream pressure build-up in the closed system, thus permitting a biasing spring to automatically reset the valve to open and operable position, thereby stabilizing the pressure acting on the actuator.

Pressure monitoring of a producing well

A rotary actuated valve choke or the like is remotely controlled by motor means fixedly mounted with respect to said valve to rotationally drive a stem thereof. Monitoring means measure the rotation of the motor and/or its associated drive train. The monitoring means convert the rotary motion to a more easily measurable linear motion to measure the valve setting and appropriately control the energization of the motor in response thereto.

Method and apparatus for remotely controlling a rotary valve or the like

A rotary actuated valve choke or the like is remotely controlled by motor means fixedly mounted with respect to said valve to rotationally drive a stem thereof. Means are included to measure the rotation of said stem. Means are provided to measure valve output and appropriately control the energization of the motor in response thereto.

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New Iberia, LA, United States of America

Joseph L Porter