Tech Transfer Track

PTTC recognizes that products and services featured in “Tech Transfer Track” may not be unique and welcomes information about other upstream technologies. PTTC does not endorse or recommend any of the products or services mentioned in this publication, even though reasonable steps are taken to ensure the reliability of information sources.

Servicing Continuous Rod Installations

Coiled rod applications, introduced to the market some 30 years ago, have been limited by the fact that two rigs are needed for servicing continuous rods—one to service the well and another to manipulate the coiled rod. Pro-Rod, a division of C-TECH Oilfield Technologies, Inc., has addressed this problem with their recently developed X-Celerator® tool.

The X-Celerator® tool is a coiled rod injector head with two motors that power gear-driven tracks. The tracks in turn drive chains with aluminum inserts that grip the coiled rod. The tool can be picked up and be ready to work within 15 - 20 minutes by any well service rig. This avoids the back-and-forth rigging up and rigging down that occurs when two rigs are needed for servicing wells with coiled rod. With the service problem addressed, coiled rod may see increased usage. The advantages of coiled rod are that it has no couplings, it reduces tubing wear and it requires less pumping horsepower.

Excerpted from article in Well Servicing, May/June 2003, p. 34. Manufacturer information at Pro-Rod's website www.prorod.
com.

35% Cost Reduction With Cement Pulsation

Shallow gas wells in an area of Alberta and Saskatchewan have historically had problems with primary cementing jobs, with 57% of wells developing leaks after the primary cementing job. These vertical wells range in depth from 1,900 to 5,900 ft. Costs for remedial cement jobs typically range from $30,000 to $50,000, and can be much higher. Cement pulsation was used in more than 150 of these shallow gas wells. Overall, the percentage of leaking wells with cement pulsation declined from the expected 57% to only 21%. Overall cementing costs, primary plus remedial, were reduced by 35%.

Cement pulsation is the application of low-intensity pressure pulses to the annulus after a primary cement job for the purpose of delaying gel strength development. By delaying gel strength development, the hydrostatic pressure is maintained on the formation until cement has built sufficient strength to prevent the influx of reservoir fluids.

Low-pressure pulses, from 8- to 200 psi, are applied to the annulus at 30 to 60 second intervals. Pulsing continues, usually for 4 to 6 hours, until the compressible volume (volume of fluid required to pressurize the annulus) levels off or the thickening time test indicates the cement has reached desired properties.

Excerpted from article in Gas Tips (Winter 2003), which may be viewed online at www.netl.doe.gov/scng/
explore/ref-shelf/gas-tips/
gastips.winter%2003.pdf.

Knowledge Management, What Has Industry Learned

In a recent article in Hart's E&P (June 2003 issue, p. 55-57), Tina Berger, Obsidian, defines knowledge management as "the set of processes through which employees share business-critical knowledge across an organization to increase profits and reduce problems for the company." Considering industry's experience with early processes and the above definition, he lists 10 critical factors for successful knowledge management, presented in abbreviated form below:

1. Begin with a specific business issue related to the long-term profitability of the company
2. Determine in advance how you will measure success
3. Begin with an enthusiastic receptive group (not necessarily the whole company)
4. Integrate the change into existing business practices (how will it fit)
5. Use technologies as enablers, not drivers
6. Designate owners, find champions to keep the process visible and tools up to date
7. Provide communication and training, don't just expect people to jump into it
8. Pilot test with a small group and work the bugs out
9. Publicize successes
10. Provide incentives and awards

Regardless of company size, today's industry operates on the lean side with regard to staffing. Employees are frequently asked to jump into areas outside their expertise. Then there are the age demographics of the industry. Companies don't necessarily need to be large to have an incentive to implement a knowledge-management process.

Another article in that issue states what may seem obvious "people only go to people they trust for information." This is why communities of practice and knowledge brokers have their role. 

The data that groups rely on must be equally trusted, so meta-data (that is, data about the data in any database) files must be comprehensive and current. It must also be recognized that knowledge goes beyond data and facts to include experience, values, context, insight and intuition.

Excerpted from articles in Hart's E&P, June 2003.

Field Test Performance Positive for PSI's Innovative Submersible Pump Design

Pumping Solutions, Inc.'s (PSI) innovative submersible pump, which uses a positive displacement hydraulic pumping mechanism, performed well in field tests at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center (RMOTC). Data from the RMOTC field tests indicate that savings, compared to conventional oilfield lift systems, of as much as 50% in operating costs are possible.

The pump uses a one horsepower, three-phase, submersible electric motor that requires only an average of one kilowatt of power. The pump is fundamentally different from pumps currently on the market because it is located completely within the wellbore, and the casing is sealed, eliminating noise, emissions, and hazardous conditions. The pump, with its self-contained electric motor, is similar to an electric submersible centrifugal pump in appearance and installation characteristics. The pump design can handle volumes up to 400 bbl/day and depths up to 12,500 ft. 

Some 20 tests conducted at RMOTC to date under a variety of conditions have generated performance data on power consumption, run time, and production volumes lifted. Pumps were installed on conventional tubing into Shannon formation wells. A few tests used the cable suspension system developed by PSI. The problems addressed and solved during the RMOTC tests were splicing techniques, diaphragm materials issues, corrosion, and general operating procedures. The RMOTC tests demonstrated that the pumps can be run safely on 2 3/8" tubing and on cable suspension without damaging equipment. 

PSI has completed development of a 3 ¾" 30-300 bfpd, up to 4,500 ft. lift unit and is oping variations for other applications, including a 2" pump, a 4" deep set pump, and a 4.5" high flow version. PSI continues to receive support from DOE, industry, and the Stripper Well Consortium for future development.

Excerpted from information provided by Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center. For more detail, contact Joe Rochelle, RMOTC (phone 307-261-5000 X5074 or e-mail joe.rochelle@
rmotc.com) or Leland Traylor, PSI, phone 505-933-4653.