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Charles MC Cann, CRC Wireline Inc.

The Pipe Inspection - Pipe Evaluation Logging System or P.I.P.E. Log is a valuable aid in determining casing deterioration due to wear and/or corrosion. The P.I.P.E. system combines a multi-finger mechanical caliper and an electromagnetic casing evaluation/caliper tool that are run simultaneously in the casing. Run in combination, the two systems complement each other in detecting single string casing corrosion.

J.W. Hodges, Sun Oil Co.

The constant search for methods to increase the efficiency of production systems and to reduce operating costs has led to the development of a wire line tool which makes it possible to produce and control two separate reservoirs through a single string of tubing. This paper is a progress report of the experience that one company has, with this tool, gained in eight of its dually completed wells in Louisiana and Texas.

Dr. H.W. Winkler, Texas Tech University

Horizontal single-phase flow in a pipe network occurs frequently in oilfield operations. The field engineer may need to predict with reasonable accuracy the pressure loss in these lines. Nomographs from a handbook or appropriate equations from a fluid mechanics text can be employed for these calculations. The equations for Reynolds number and pressure loss in most textbooks will not have been derived in commonly employed field units, requiring numerous conversions which are excellent sources of error.

A.J. Otte, The National Supply Company

Since the first oil well was put on the beam, the oil industry has been confronted with the problem of trying to predetermine requirements of the surface pumping equipment. Industry engineers have struggled with this problem for years. Although numerous methods of well load calculations have been devised, the sizing of the pumping unit installation is still regarded as an "educated guess". This problem is recognized by leading men in the oil industry as one that will require much study and should not be taken lightly.

Charles J. Fuller, Continental-Emsco Company

Due to the unusual nature of the loads encountered in oil well pumping service, a somewhat different approach is necessary for properly sizing pumping unit prime movers. This unusual load can sometimes be best explained by a look at the cycling torque loads imposed on a pumping unit gear reducer by the polished rod load. This can be illustrated by a dynamometer analysis of a typical well. A quick, yet reliable, method of determining horsepower requirements using only depth, pump size, SPM, and surface stroke length can be derived.

D. Zhu & A.D. Hill, The University of Texas at Austin

Matrix stimulation treatments (most commonly using acid as a solvent) are aimed at overcoming the effect of near wellbore damage by dissolving solids and, hence, increasing permeability. The skin factor, a parameter to account for altered flow conditions in the near wellbore vicinity, is often used as a quantitative indicator of the level of damage.

Norman W. Hein, Jr.,
NPS-AOT

The history and development of slim hole coupling derating factors will be presented. These date back to the 1960s when Conoco originated the first recommendations. Later these were modified to include the comparison of the strength of the couplings versus the strength of the sucker rod. Normally, while operators may not have had problems in the past with slimhole coupling failures, there is a current concern that old practices may not be the best practices for today's new producing wells that are deeper and producing higher volumes than normal wells.

Brad Rogers,
Harbison-Fischer Manufacturing

Harbison-Fischer has always promoted new product development through a continuous research program to provide our customers with the best technology. Part of this research interest has brought us to analyze the slippage variation between two standard pump configurations, one with a top hold down and the other with a bottom hold down. Several key variables have been involved in this theoretical analysis which will allow us to know a little more about the behavior of sucker rod pumps. Questions and discussion from the attendees will be encouraged.

G.L. Reid, Bethlehem Supply Company

The horizontal type internal combustion engine evolved very naturally within the oil industry and it is, next to the steam engine, probably the oldest type prime mover in continuous use in the field. Since the Otto, or four-stroke cycle had already been established, the early engines followed this, and from an effort to reduce weight and moving parts evolved the two-stroke cycle engine. So today we have the four-stroke cycle and the two-stroke cycle engines in general use in the oil fields.

G.W. Hawkins & W.C. Jones, Dowell Division of Dow Chemical U.S.A.

Fluid-loss control additives for cement slurries have historically tended to undesirably retard compressive strength development at temperatures below approximately 13O'F. In order to counteract this retardation, calcium chloride set accelerator has often been added to the slurry. Unfortunately, calcium chloride adversely affects the performance of commonly used fluid-loss additives. Frequently, fluid-loss control can only be obtained by adding significantly higher concentrations of the additive. This often results in an unacceptably high slurry viscosity and cost.

Ronald A. Campbell, Compressor Dynamics, Inc.

Current increase in drilling activity of existing fields and reentry in oilfields brought on by upgrading of gas and oil pricing structures has necessitated small well-head compression. Types size limitations, configurations, design features and operations are discussed for compressors available in size ranges from 10 horsepower to 200 horsepower. Today's field design and application requirements for maximum compression flexibility and minimum compressor horsepower are discussed.

Mike McDonald, PQ Corporation, Prentice Creel, P.E., T&S Petroleum Consultants

Sodium silicate has a long but somewhat overlooked history as a treatment option for conformance and remedial casing repair. Recently, there has been greater interest in the use of sodium silicate-based technology for these applications. The environmentally friendly nature of sodium silicate has been a key reason for this renewed interest. Low cost, durability and advances in silicate chemistry are the other factors driving this resurgence. Sodium silicate is a unique chemical in that it can undergo different types of chemical reactions.

Robert L. Moore, R & A MOORE, INC.
WITH ASSISTANCE OF
Stripper Well Consortium Funding; Mark Wiener, AMERESCO SOLAR; Joseph Glover, Paul Vanderheyden, Mike Lucas, UNICO Energy Division

The innovation of using a standard 160D pump jack to lift water from a gas zone at 7450 feet by solar energy only, without storage batteries was presented at this seminar last year. The alternative power source to drive the pump jack motor was expanded to include a wind turbine to take advantage of wind power available in low sunlight conditions. The combination of two sources of clean energy power the unit to run at 6 strokes per minute at wind speeds as low as 11 mph.

T.J. Lawley, University of Texas at Arlington

By way of introduction, the availability of solar energy is discussed by considering such ideas as solar constant, sun angles. solar spectrum, and direct and diffuse components of radiation. Solar thermal conversion is discussed via consideration of flat plate und concentrating solar collectors, including geometries and test standards. Solar energy applications are reviewed giving current statusand estimated future importance of the following: heating, cooling and hot water, thermal-electric power generation, photo voltaic, power generation, thermal mechanical pumping, and process heat supply.

Michael Argo, ARCO Oil & Gas Co.

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are frequently located in remote, environmentally hostile locations. Even in favorable conditions, the Remote Terminal Unit's (RTU) location often dictated function with a minimum of maintenance and routine oversight from operators. These criteria imply that these systems must be durable, reliable, and portable. Without an equally durable, reliable, and portable power source, these systems cannot carry out their intended functions. Photovoltaic (PV), or solar power, systems can meet these conditions.

Robert L. Moore, R & A MOORE, INC.
WITH ASSISTANCE OF
Stripper Well Consortium Funding
Mark Wiener, AMERESCO SOLAR
UNICO ENERGY DIVISION
Joseph Glover, VP Alternative Energy Division; Paul Vanderheyden, Field Specialist Alternative Energy Division

Solar powered pump jacks have been utilized in shallow wells for some time. An American 160D pump jack with 54 inch stroke has been modified to run with a 3HP motor on a conventional rod string and down hole pump producing gas from perforations at 7369-7402 feet with seating nipple at 7450 feet. All power is provided by solar panels without back up battery power. Run times are restricted to bright sun periods. Fluid production volume rates of 2 to 3 barrels per day have been achieved. Fluid is formation water and casing leak invasion water and severely restricts gas flow.

T. B. McKinney, Dowell Incorporated

The accumulation of paraffin deposits in oil wells and flow lines presents a production and transportation problem that is very costly to the oil industry. This problem has been attacked in may ways but, until a few years ago the removal of such deposits was accomplished by mechanical means only. These usually involved lost time, extra labor, and special tools, all of which were expensive to the operator.

Jimmie G. Anderson, Lane-Wells Company

Many problems encountered in oil and gas production can be solved if the fluid in the well is known. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the application of radioactive isotopes to the solution of these problems. This paper will discuss how a radioactive tracer survey is possible and the following application of it: injection profile, channel location, evaluation of perforating and fracture treatment, and cement location. The actual radioactive tracer units will be discussed briefly.

Greg L. Mendenhall, Texland Petroleum Inc. & R.E Ott, Mobi E&P US Inc.

Producing companies and operators are universally concerned with reducing failures in rod pumping systems. Costly failures effect a company's profitability. A leading cause of rod pumping failures is rod buckling. This paper discusses the problems, causes, and solutions of sucker rod buckling. Various methods of determining the buckling force are presented. These methods include computer modeling, physical downhole measurement, and empirical models. Furthermore, a calculation scheme is detailed for predicting buckling modes, patches. bending moments, and peak stresses in the rod string.

L.B. Goodheart, Rice Engineering & Operating, Inc.

The disposal of produced water is an integral part of the oil producing operation. Various methods of disposal have been utilized over past years, however, strict anti-pollution laws prohibiting surface disposal and the high cost of trucking water have narrowed the options. On-lease disposal by pipeline into company or cooperative disposal systems is the most efficient and economical solution. Proper design of the disposal system should be given due consideration and planning to minimize the cost of disposal and to insure the life of the disposal system.

Bruce Ramage, Bethlehem Steel Co.

Any man responsible for oil production should obtain maximum amount of oil with a minimum amount of expensive down time. In pumping wells, the fact that maximum allowable loading of sucker rods is intimately connected with this responsibility makes it a subject of importance to us all. This paper will not attempt to outline any specific method of arriving at a set maximum allowable loadings for various grades of rods under various pumping conditions, rather it will discuss a few of the many factors which have an influence on maximum loadings.

J.H. Day, Jr., General Electric Company

The principal causes of motor failure in the oil field are: (1) Lighting strikes or surges (2) Single-phasing of power system supply (3) Overload or high current conditions due to low voltage conditions on the line, voltage drops, voltage unbalance on 3-phase power supply or the motor incorrectly sized to load. Are these problems the result of design or of equipment specifications? Further, what can be done to lessen equipment failures from these causes?

William M. Cotton, Stubbeman, RcRae, Sealy & Laughlin

It would be absurd to try to discuss in one paper all of the legal problems encountered in lease operations after discovery of oil. The problems are of enormous scope and complexity and could not be adequately covered in a voluminous book. Consequently, this paper will merely attempt a general summary, without elaboration or citation of authorities, of some of the many legal problems you may encounter in your lease operations in the State of Texas.

H.F. Schultz, Reda Pump Company

This paper contains a brief review of submergible pumps and their application. The use of smaller capacity deeper pumping is covered, including the use of bottom-intake type equipment and the use of submergible pumps in pumping and injecting of water in waterflood projects.

Annual Conference Info

NEXT SWPSC CONFERENCE: April 19-22, 2027