Appalachian Model Provides Training Method For Well Tenders

(Tech Connections Column, June 2003, American Oil and Gas Reporter)

What can “just one Mcf a day” mean? What if a lease operator increased production by 1 Mcf on all his wells? Most would agree this is very feasible. Yet if a well tender operated 80 wells, and through a little extra knowledge and diligence, increased production in each well only 1 Mcf/d, that would equate to $87,600 in one year if gas was priced at $3.00 an Mcf. Lease operators–or well tenders as they are called in the East–can make a difference.

Roger Willis, vice president of Universal Well Services, working through the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, piloted a model for well tender workshops in August 2000. It involved small groups of well tenders interacting with instructors who had extensive field experience. Belden and Blake Corporation hosted the event, and Balon Corporation provided lunch, absorbing most of the cost. Nearly 100 attended. The event’s success revealed the yearning of well tenders for practical training they could apply every day.

PTTC’s Appalachian Region built on this model, and has conducted workshops in West Virginia and Kentucky. Matt Vavro, a professional petroleum engineer, professional geologist, and oil and gas trainer, coordinated the workshops while Willis made essential contributions as a volunteer.

Both days started with a video “oil field tour” by Willis, showing how wells were drilled and completed. This was followed by a pointed economics discussion by Vavro, showing how oil and gas investments must compete with all other investment options, and how small improvements made oil and gas investments more attractive. Willis continued with “Oil Field Pressures and Volumes,” showing well tenders how to use simple equations to calculate hydrostatic pressure, bottomhole pressure, and downhole, tank, or pipeline volumes. Willis then concluded with oil field safety, showing how even one psi of pressure can be dangerous if applied over a large area. This point was driven home with the “Arm Wrestler,” a device whereby well tenders could feel the force generated by only one or two psi.

After a break, the well tenders were divided into 10 smaller groups. They spent the rest of the day rotating from one expert’s station to the next. Each mini-seminar consisted of a very focused 20-minute interactive period, during which the instructor explained his technology or equipment, and received input from the well tenders about their field experiences. Knowledge and technology flowed freely both ways, and the experts admitted that getting feedback from the people actually using the technology or equipment was invaluable. The topics covered were basic first aid, gas separators, gas metering, downhole pumps, plunger lift, ball valve safety, electronic metering and well head control, gas regulation, gas compression, gas dehydration, and basic well cementing.

Companies providing expert instructors for the two seminars were Columbia Natural Resources, Northrup Equipment, Westerman Company, Gas Analytical, Harbison Fisher, Miller Supply, Multi Products, Balon Corporation, Barton Meters, Cornerstone Controls, Dearing Compression, NATCO, Universal Well Services, Electronic Design for Industry, T&W Systems, and Equipment and Controls.

Throughout the day there was a constant buzz of excitement, and the energy level stayed high. The mini-seminars were long enough for the experts to transfer their knowledge in a short and concise manner. Many attendees later commented that it was a great day, and that there should be more of these types of programs offered to well tenders, who physically produce oil and gas.

Experienced well tenders had an opportunity to refresh their skills. Newer well tenders had an opportunity to augment the training offered by their companies, and we all know what industry’s training budgets have been. All learned about remote or electronic monitoring equipment, which increasingly is being used even in marginal well environments. Practical field knowledge was enhanced, which will help the well tenders who participated to “safely” get that “little bit of extra production” that can make a difference in marginal well operations.

PTTC is already exploring how to conduct additional workshops in the Appalachian Region, and in other regions across the country. Active participation is the key to success, and those attending workshops continue to contribute good ideas to further technology transfer across the industry. 

Acknowledgment: PTTC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Matt Vavro and Roger Willis in developing this column to capture the essence of the well tender workshops and the impact they had on regional operations. In addition, sincere thanks to the many who volunteer time and resources to make these educational forums possible. With industry support of these initiatives and federal/state contributions, the program is able to realize many benefits for energy industry participants around the country.