Illinois Workshop Focuses On Field, Pumpers Who Make It Happen

(Tech Connections Column, December 2004, American Oil and Gas Reporter)

Working alongside the Illinois Oil & Gas Association, PTTC’s Midwest Region conducted a one-day pumpers and operations training session in October in Illinois. A significant audience of 80 persons participated.

The session brought training on a wide variety of subjects to the field level. The format modeled that of earlier PTTC “Well Tender” workshops proven in the Appalachian Region. In Appalachia, 700 individuals have participated in well tender training since 2003. Content of the Midwest/IOGA event was tailored to Illinois pumpers’ needs. IOGA Director Brad Richards mobilized his membership to persuade their pumpers and operations people to attend.

Matt Vavro, an engineer gifted in training who was also involved in the earlier Appalachian workshops, led the morning session. His interesting “Oil Field Tour” outlined the basic functions required to successfully explore and produce oil and gas, and highlighted the important role that pumpers perform. His coverage of pressures, fluid volumes and levels, and basic calculations enable pumpers to trouble shoot operations. Safety concepts were integral to the discussion.

An insurance representative presented video examples of how accidents occur, and outlined how claims affect companies’ present and future insurance premiums. An emergency medical technician stressed the importance of dealing with injuries promptly. Delay only complicates things. Rounding out the picture, a representative of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources presented pictorial examples of environmental violations that had occurred in the state. There was a focus on surface discharges and notification requirements. In addition, participants received up-to-date oil regulations handbooks.

In the afternoon, participants rotated among 10 “technology stations” where technology providers gave hands-on demonstrations of equipment and technologies. Among the topics these stations addressed were cementing/acidizing, downhole pumps, automation, downhole chemicals, and Internet well data. Pumpers (and their companies) appreciated the training, and future events are already being considered. Future events will likely be half-day in order to allow pumpers to tend to their wells and still participate in the training.

Others serve the field sector as well. A notable example is Oklahoma’s Marginal Well Commission (MWC). Each year, MWC and other sponsors provide a trade exposition–a one-day, exhibit-hall event where technology providers with field-oriented products and services interact with pumpers and others drawn in by MWC’s effective promotional campaign (and the proverbial free lunch).

Held in late October in Oklahoma City, this year’s trade expo drew more than 1,300. MWC Executive Director Liz Fajen commented, “This year’s trade expo was a huge success. Product prices are in the range where operators can begin to put new technology to use. The MWC looks at the trade expo as a one-stop shopping venue, unique in that attendees are company owners and managers who can make purchasing decisions quickly. It is more important now than ever that all segments of the industry work together to maximize this nation’s energy health.”

Many of MWC’s workshops (www.marginalwells.com) also directly address needs of field operations folk.
For the first time, MWC also offered vendor exhibits and brief technical presentations to highlight products and services emerging from the Stripper Well Consortium (SWC) effort, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and led by Pennsylvania State University. This collaboration with MWC helped SWC better connect with Oklahoma producers, benefiting them and SWC.

SWC is already planning its 2005 funding cycle, and has requested proposals that target technology for marginal oil and gas wells. SWC has made changes favorable to industry, so visit its Web site (www.energy.psu,edu/swc/) for up-to-date information.

Ken Oglesby with Oak Resource Inc. in Tulsa, who represents the Society of Petroleum Engineers on PTTC’s Board of Directors, is in a unique position to comment on multiple organizations that address the needs of field staff. Ken is an active volunteer in PTTC, MWC, SWC and SPE. Plus, as a small independent, he manages marginal well operations in the Mid-Continent and Permian Basin. He notes, “Safety and best-practices training for operations personnel are major factors in keeping production up and costs down. With the number of new people needed in the industry, training is the only way to quickly make them productive and safe.”

PTTC’s efforts to support field staff goes beyond pumper workshops. Bob Kiker with Permian Basin Region spent significant time interviewing operators and pumpers about capturing field data. Highlights were presented in PTTC’s newsletter, Network News (www.pttc.org/news/2qtr2004/
v10n2p7.htm), and future workshops are being planned.

In a closing note, let me make reference to MWC’s catchy slogan, “Save Our Strippers.” It is equally appropriate as “Save Our Pumpers.” Both are essential to operators producing the oil and gas this nation needs