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Prominent Activity and Technology Trends
How Producers Are
Realizing Opportunities in Mature Fields
The California scene can be
summarized in a few words, understand the rules, operate
safely and the gains is yours. Operators of all sizes
and capabilities are mainly focused on workovers on
wells that were drilled decades ago and need formation
damage removal. Additionally, excess water production is
a major issue but there are ways to shut off wet
intervals and improve production economics and some
operators are focused on this critical issue. Activities
in the Los Angeles Basin are on improving waterfloods,
drilling horizontal wells and returning idle wells back
to production. New drilling is concentrated on the
expansion of deeper waterflood and primary recovery
zones. In the major producing area of San Joaquin
Valley, operators are mainly focused on thermal
operations and on improving the economics of thermal and
workovers and fracturing of the tight diatomites.
DOGGR Makes Field Rules
Available Online
Given the sensitive
operating environment in California, many operators have
received commendations for maintaining the highest
standards for safety in operations. California Division
of Oil and Gas (DOGGR) recently acknowledged these
operators. It is remarkable how the cooperation between
the regulatory agencies and the operators has helped in
improving operational excellence in California. In
another positive step by DOGGR, the new publication of
“Field Rules” helps producers understand the field
conditions that require special considerations for
drilling and completion of new wells. This list can be
downloaded from:
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/Field_Rules/Field_Rules.xls
Test Drive an Orphan
Well
For small operators, wishing
to bring orphan wells on production, DOGGR has published
the latest list. Prospective operators can enter into an
agreement to test an orphan well for up to 90 days
without incurring any liability for plugging the well.
If successful, the prospective operator can adopt the
well by posting a bond and becoming its permanent
operator. If the test is unsuccessful, the prospective
operator can walk away from the agreement with no
liability incurred. Further information can be obtained
from
http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dog/idle_well/idle_well.htm.
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