Table of Contents

Vol. 6, No. 1
1st Quarter 2000

DOE Selects Projects to Boost Stripper Gas Production

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected two research projects that could help sustain, or perhaps boost, production from many of the nation's 192,000 "stripper" natural gas wells. To develop ways to reduce operating costs and keep gas flowing from the wells, DOE has chosen:

Advanced Resources International (Houston) to develop a low-cost way to analyze stripper well performance and diagnose why specific wells do not produce as expected. Using wells in Texas and Oklahoma, several novel technologies will be tested. DOE will provide nearly $175,000 for the 1-year project, while the company will contribute more than $243,000.

Petroleum Asset Management Company (Nashville) to demonstrate several technologies to improve gas well pumping efficiency. The company will combine its proprietary pumping technology with remote monitoring equipment powered by solar energy. If successful, gas production companies could monitor their wells over the Internet. DOE will provide $76,000 and the company will contribute $19,000 for the 4-month project.

These projects were the second group selected in DOE's program. Last September, DOE chose James Engineering, (Marietta, Ohio) and Holditch Reservoir Technologies (Pittsburgh) to develop software to help operators prolong production from stripper gas wells-defined as those producing 60,000 cubic feet or less per day.

For information, contact Gary Covatch, DOE National Energy Technology Lab, phone 304-285-4589, e-mail gcovat@netl.doe.gov.

RigMatch Debuts First Oil and Gas Search Engine

RigMatch Information Services introduced the first Internet search engine geared toward the oil and gas industry. Unlike many traditional web searches (such as Yahoo! or Altavista), the focus of Rigmatch is limited to 1,000 carefully selected oil and gas sites, instead of encompassing the entire web.

The website also has an online database of more than 70,000 Gulf Coast drilling permits issued since 1994, as well as comprehensive daily permit reports. Databases and the search engine are available at www.rigmatch.com.

For further information, contact 903-723-0980 or info@rigmatch.com.

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New Wireline Technologies Resulting from R&D Emphasis

This year, expect to see new technologies and advances in the wireline and well logging arenas. Many companies have continued their focus on research and development (R&D), putting technology at the forefront of their agendas. These are expected to give independents engineering and technology equipment that, in the past, has only been available to major producers. Some of the highlights include:

The Titan Group has released several new products:

• The Perforating Hardware Division has introduced a new electrical contact-type shock absorber that fits within a common tool string. It is created to blunt the shock from perforating guns.
  
• The Instrumental Division has developed a new bond tool with capabilities to 350 degrees/15,000 psi that can be broken down and taken to the field.
  
• The Completion Products Division has created several new shaped charges.

Greenspan, Inc. develops and builds cased hole logging equipment for independent wireline companies. It has recently released several tools incorporating state-of-the-art technologies not available in the 1980s, when most industry tools were developed.

Geo-Log, Inc. has also developed new products, including:

• A 2 foot measure head recommended for line sizes less than 5/16 inch, weighing just 37 pounds.
  
• A new Bond Isolator Section for a variety of bond log tools. It is built with individual harmonically tuned sub sections which alternately delay and cancel unwanted tool noise.

Computer Sonic Systems, Inc., has developed a new Slim Line bond tool, available in both dual and radial versions. With capabilities to 20,000 psi and 400 degrees, it separates quickly, transports easily, and contains advanced electronics that provide a combination of electric functions.

Wireline Technologies, has introduced several new products, including a sealed bearing composite rigging sheave. It utilizes all standard features but contains a more advanced sealed bearing system-the bearings no longer need to be greased. More than 90% of bearing failures result from a lack of grease being applied to the sheave while in the field.

Note: Information for this article was extracted from "Wireline Advances" by Kristen Van Veen published in Well Servicing - Jan/Feb 2000.