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Vol. 7, No. 4
4th Quarter 2001

In The News

 

R&D Progress Reviewed, 2002 Plans Laid

The Stripper Well Consortium (SWC), which is managed by The Pennsylvania State University, met in Hershey, Penn., on Dec. 18-19. Members reviewed progress of the 13 R&D projects funded last spring and discussed plans for 2002. DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) provides primary funding for the SWC, with supplemental funding also coming from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Participants are required to pay at least 30% cost share. Those involved in the year-long projects reported progress during the first six months of their work. Awards are for one year; should projects want funding for additional work, they must compete alongside new proposals each year.

Results are still very preliminary, but advancements are being made. Sample results from two projects follow:

  • Identifying unstimulated and/or ineffectively stimulated reservoirs resulting from multi-stage hydraulic fracture treatments (Schlumberger-Holditch Reservoir Technologies, Equitable Production, Schlumberger Dowell). Typically, operators don't know which zones have been effectively stimulated in thick, tight, multi-layer reservoirs. Equitable has run over 40 spinner logs. Data from 31 wells has been reviewed, and at least 10 wells with restimulation potential identified. Injection/falloff testing with tracers is also planned to further define restimulation potential.
  • Gas-operated automatic lift pump. Brandywine Energy and Development Co.'s goal in this project is to develop a gas-operated, automatic casing swab tool that is oilfield tough. The prototype has been developed and tested in one well. Prior to the tool, when the well was being swabbed, it produced about 250 Mcf/mo from five swabs per month. With the automated tool, which optimizes both the frequency and the amount of fluid lifted each time, the well produced about 390 Mcf/mo in 15 runs during a month.

During its second full year, the SWC is starting two initiatives to increase its value to industry. There will be a strong focus on making strategic alliances with other groups, such as the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, state associations, the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, and others. A second initiative is to strengthen technology transfer. For 2002, two regional technology transfer meetings are planned—one in New York or Pennsylvania and one in Oklahoma.

There are now 50 members in the SWC, and more are in the process of joining. Those facing challenges operating oil or natural gas stripper wells should consider joining during 2002. Members have full access to technical information gathered during the R&D projects and have the opportunity to submit proposals to receive funding. The SWC plans on issuing its request for proposals for 2002 funding in January, with proposals due in March. Following meeting to review these proposals, the SWC's Executive Council would select winners for 2002. Work on the new projects could be expected to begin in late spring. To learn more about how you can participate in the consortium, please visit the SWC web site (http://www.energy.psu.edu/swc).

U.S. Marginal Oil Wells & Production Increase in 2000

In 2000 production from marginal oil wells increased, for the first time since 1984, from 315, 514,000 barrels in 1999 to 326,208,000 in 2000, according to figures released by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC). A small increase, but an increase nevertheless. The number of marginal or "stripper" oil wells also increased from 410,680 to 411,793.

Quoted in IOGCC's press release, Arkansas's Gov. Mike Huckabee, IOGCC Chairman noted: "This is good news for America. The states have demonstrated incentives and other legislation designed to encourage domestic oil and gas production are effective." During the 1990s many states enacted legislation to keep marginal wells from being plugged, and some regulatory agencies modified regulations to provide relief. These changes, combined with the price rebound of 1999-2000, helped contribute to 2000 production results.

Extracted from IOGCC press release, visit http://www.iogcc.state.ok.us/ for full detail.

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Former PTTC Chairman Retires

Leo. A. Schrider, Senior Vice President for Belden & Blake Corp. in North Canton, Ohio, and former Chairman of the PTTC Board of Directors, will retire from his full-time position at the end of the year, but will remain with the company in a part-time position for the next two years working on special projects. Schrider served as Chairman of PTTC's Board of Directors from 1999-2001. PTTC Executive Director Don Duttlinger recently praised Schrider for his valuable leadership and unwavering support for PTTC during his tenure as chairman. "Leo has always brought professionalism and key insights to the organization, which purely exemplifies our mission and the relationships necessary in transferring ideas among industry groups," said Duttlinger when Schrider stepped down as chairman.

Earlier in his career, before he joined Belden and Blake, he was Deputy Director of the US Department of Energy's Natural Gas Technology Center in Morgantown, WV, which is now part of the National Energy Technology Lab. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, he pursued graduate work at West Virginia University while posted in Morgantown, and had an appointment as Adjunct Professor at WVU. Prior to serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Schrider had served as the first Chairman of the Appalachian Region's Producer Advisory Group, and then three years as Vice Chairman of the national Board of Directors and Chairman of the important Management and Budget Committee.

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Independent's Day at SPE/DOE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium-April 16, Tulsa

PTTC is coordinating with the SPE/DOE 13th Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, scheduled for April 13-17, 2002, in Tulsa, Okla., to hold "Independent's Day" on Tuesday, April 16. For a special one-day registration fee of $75, attendees may participate in any event scheduled during that day. PTTC's North and South Midcontinent regions have developed a special afternoon session (1:30-4:30 pm) addressing topics of high interest to regional independents. Topics include:

  • Oklahoma Coalbed Methane Activity, Brian Cardot, Oklahoma Geological Survey
  • Arkoma Basin Coalbed Methane Completion Practices, John Wendell, Consultant
  • Alternative, Low-Cost Well Plugging Technology, Fred Sabins, Cementing Solutions, Inc.
  • Gel Polymer (for water shutoff) in the Midcontinent, J.T. Portwood, TIORCO Inc.
  • Solid Propellant Stimulation Treatments in the Midcontinent, Richard Schmidt, J Integral Engineering (The Gas Gun)

In addition to the PTTC session, attendees will be able to: (1) attend technical sessions associated with the conference, (2) view exhibits and a poster session, (3) listen to special technology update presentations by exhibitors, and (4) network with friends at a Beer "n" Bratwurst feast that ends the day. Those interested in attending should register online at http://www.npto.doe.gov/ior.

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