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Vol. 8, No.3 |
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Tech Transfer Track
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Nitrogen-Lift Revives Mature Texas WellsGeneron Nitro-Lift Services, Inc. (Nitro-Lift) is generating nitrogen using Generon membrane units, then using the generated nitrogen for gas lifting in a patent pending process. Initial field tests in a couple wells in a lease that Nitro-Lift operates in the Amelia Field in Jefferson County, Texas are yielding favorable economics. Operations in the Amelia Field are very mature. Actually, the high water cut wells in the field have been shutin since 1997 due to a lack of gas for gas lift. With the very high water cuts, gas lift is the only viable lift mechanism. Nitro-Lift's predecessor company acquired a lease in the field in 2000. Two wells were identified for the process. The wells had been gas-lifted previously and had been shut-in for nine years. By generating nitrogen through the membrane system the wells have added 600-800 bopm to the total production. The wells currently have stabilized at 25 bopd and 725 bwpd. The nitrogen gas requirement for injection is 40 mcfd. The total electric unit requires 36 H.P. The increase in production has resulted in increased sales of approximately $15,000 with a $8,000 net. Presently the nitrogen is vented through the system. Future plans include separation of the nitrogen, then recompressing it for lifting additional wells. The operator believes that lifting as many as four wells from one unit can be accomplished. Although using the unit on leases they own, Nitro-Lift was primarily formed to market the nitrogen-generating membrane units. Manufacturing facilities are located in Houston. Visit Generon Nitro-Lift's website (www.nitro-lift.com) for more information, or contact Vernon Daniels, phone 713-937-5200, email vdnitrolift@yahoo.com. |
Accurate Reservoir Modeling with Early Time DataObject Reservoir, Inc., Austin, Texas, is now offering its Dynamic Reservoir CharacterizationTM technology. Object Reservoir uses numerical modeling, finite element techniques, and automatic unstructured grid generation to model the behavior of wells and the reservoir very early (only days or weeks, thus the term "dynamic") in the production lifecycle. Getting a reliable "early look" enables operators to make better real-time decisions on subsequent development well locations and completions. First step in the process is to build a reservoir model consistent with known and assumed rock and fluid properties as well as seismic and geologic interpretations. Object Reservoir then develops comparisons between production data and results forecast by assumed or known field parameters. The reservoir model is built and rebuilt rapidly until it agrees with actual production data. Conventional modeling approaches can eventually do this, but they typically require many months or years of production data, and can be quite complex and time-consuming to develop. The value of Dynamic Reservoir CharacterizationTM lies in its ability to develop accurate answers using only early time and very limited production data. In late 2001, Esenjay Exploration Inc. (now Santos USA) requested Object Reservoir's services to help them make some time-critical development decisions about a new field. Esenjay had drilled a highly successful wildcat in the Frio sands of South Texas and was quickly planning additional wells. Using just 18 days of production data from the discovery well, Object Reservoir and Esenjay re-characterized the reservoir to include faults indicated by Dynamic Reservoir CharacterizationTM. Armed with this new information, Esenjay re-positioned the second development well. Effectively, the results from using the technology helped Esenjay make a better $3 million decision. Visit Object's website (www.objectreservoir.com) for full detail of the Esenjay case history and more information about Object's Dynamic Reservoir CharacterizationTM technology. |
IOGCC Report Focuses on Shortfall in Energy R&DA recent report, which updates a 1998 report, by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission reports that the oil and gas field sector reported the lowest average annual R&D expenditures of the 19 industry sectors studied. It indicates that the Department of Energy's R&D spending has consistently ranked at the bottom of the scale among the top five research-funded agencies. The IOGCC remains concerned about the domestic energy industry's ability to remain competitive without the technological advancement brought about by research and development, which could be setting the stage for higher oil and natural gas prices for consumers. Copies of the report may be ordered online (www.iogcc.state.ok.us/BOOKLST1.HTM#new) |
Free, Web-Accessible Database of Kentucky O&G Well RecordsJust recently, the Kentucky Geological Survey launched the nation's first free, statewide, Web-accessible database of oil and gas well records. The new system provides access to 1.3 million digital images of well records. This makes it possible to view, print, copy, export or save images of the original oil and gas well records. The online well record system, accessible at www.uky.edu/KGS/pubs/lop.htm, required technical innovation and more than 20 years of effort. The data available in the online system includes information on more than 150,000 oil and gas wells drilled in Kentucky, plus images of geophysical logs. |
Precambrian Structure Map, OhioThe Petroleum Geology Group of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey, has released a new map and 18-page report, "Structure Contour Map on the Precambrian Unconformity Surface in Ohio and Related Basement Features.” Many wells and new geological understandings have come about in the 30 years since the earlier map, so this represents a much needed advance. Data sources include 207 wells from Ohio, 47 wells outside Ohio, and about 600 miles of public-domain and proprietary seismic-reflection data. The map also depicts structural features reported in published and unpublished sources. The map and 18-page report are available in hardcopy for $10 plus handling (contact Geologic Records Center, phone 614-265-6576), or they are available digitally through the website (www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey). For technical information, contact Mark Baranoski, phone 614-265-6586, email mark.baranoski@dnr.state.oh.us. |
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