The invention provides apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling
hydrocarbon production wells and / or injection wells from a remote location. The apparatus for monitoring and controlling one or more
hydrocarbon production wells or injection wells from a remote location comprises one or more surface control and
data acquisition systems; one or more sensors disposed in communication with the one or more control and
data acquisition systems; one or more downhole flow control devices disposed in communication with the one or more control and
data acquisition systems; and one or more remote controllers disposed in communication with the one or more control and data acquisition systems. Preferably, the remote controller comprises a computer having an
internet access disposed in communication with the one or more control and data acquisition systems through a
communication device comprising an internet
web site server. The method for monitoring and controlling a downhole
hydrocarbon production well or an
injection well comprises: transmitting data collected by a downhole sensor module to a control and data acquisition
system; evaluating downhole operating conditions and optimizing downhole operating parameters utilizing an optimization
software program disposed in communication with the control and data acquisition
system; and transmitting signals between the control and data acquisition
system system and a remote controller utilizing a
satellite communication system, the remote controller comprising a computer and an internet browser control access adapted to display operating conditions and parameters and to accept instructions to change operating parameters.