Table of Contents

Vol. 8, No. 3
3rd Quarter 2002

September 2002 Case Studies

Satellite-based alarm system saves compressor operators time and money

James Barr, J-W Operating, Addison, Texas; Steve Watwood, and Bruce Bacon, American Millennium Corporation, Inc. (AMCI), Golden, Colorado; and Curtis Roys, CC Technology, Midland, Texas

Bottom line: To decrease false alarms and unreliable notification of compressor downtimes, J-W Operating (JW) installed magnetically-attached, vibration sensor, satellite-based alarm systems on more than two dozen compressors in their field operations, starting in 1999. Several have been on location more than two years without a single problem, and J-W has not had to replace the first set of batteries. J-W has installed an additional 12 units on compressors that they monitor for others. Eliminating just a few hours of downtime pays for the low-cost ($1,600 installation, plus $30 to $40/month for air time) service. Due to utilizing the geo-synchronous satellites, there are no blind spots; the system is always up.

Reliable field compression provided by 5.7-L engine

Harry Huey, Engine and Compressor Services, Inc., Elk City, Oklahoma; Rick Crouch, Sertco Industries Inc., Okemah, Oklahoma; and Thompson Speir, Speir Compression, Okemah, Oklahoma

Bottom line: Since testing an initial prototype in 1999, Engine and Compressor Services, Inc. (ECSI), has been employing Sertco Model 350 compressors using 5.7-L, General Motors (GM) industrial engines in its compression leasing fleet. ECSI now has three units deployed in Oklahoma and Texas, in wellhead compression and well testing applications. Examples of production increases in well tests for three large independents include 100 Mcfgd from 40 Mcfgd, 200 Mcfgd from 5 Mcfgd, and 420 Mcfgd from 100 Mcfgd. Despite harsh conditions in many well testing environments, only minor breakdowns have occurred. ECSI is now buying production to directly benefit from compressor installation.

Automatic soapstick launcher increases gas production

Kurt von Plonski, Battlecat Operating Co., Midland, Texas; Charlie Seidel, CWS Gauging Services, Cotulla, Texas; and James C. (Jim) Votaw and Jeanne Votaw, J&J Oilfield & Electrical Service, Perry, Oklahoma

Bottom line: To keep Edwards Lime and Olmos gas wells in South Texas unloaded for a full 24 hours, Silver Pines Energy Corp. installed automatic soapstick launchers. The production gain from four wells is 272 Mcfgd, equating to $588/day incremental revenue at a representative $3.00/Mcf gas price. Launchers, which cost only about $5,000, typically pay out within weeks, and the additional soapsticks cost only about $6/day, per well.

New foam fracturing technology unlocks lower porosity reserves

Dominion Exploration and Production Company, Oklahoma City, OK; and Les Broker, Broker & Capucille, Edmond, OK 

Bottom line: Using newer foam fracturing technologies, Dominion E&P has unlocked reserves - an estimated 1.5 million bbl of oil from six new wells and three re-completions - in the lower porosity (10%-to-12% range) Prue sandstone. The site is in Roberson Ranch field, southwest of Oklahoma City. Fracturing of earlier, 1970- and 1980-vintage wells - using what were then state-of-the-art, liquid-based fluids - had not been effective there. However, toward northeast of the field, where porosities were higher, in the 16%-to-18% range, the fluids had worked to some degree

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