Don Alexander, Getty Oil Co.
The Conroe Field contains 959 wells which produce primarily from the Cockfield and Main Conroe Sands. The Main Conroe Sand, encountered at about 5000 ft, yields an average oil production of 35,000 BPD. This field was discovered in 1932 and has a remaining life expectancy of more than 25 years. About 60 percent of the total wells are on gas lift. Gas production from the Cockfield zone plus oilwell residue gas from the Main Conroe Sand supply most of the gas lift gas. Two gasoline plants in the field gather the low pressure residue gas. Within the field, Getty Oil operates 10 leases that contain a total of 68 oil wells and 14 gas wells. In 1964, three ACT units were installed to serve all of these leases. During this first phase of modernization, tank storage and gauging were eliminated from each lease; but treating and separation facilities remained essentially unchanged. In 1968, the second phase of this program was commenced to modernize existing facilities and install supervisory control equipment. This paper discusses how Getty Oil automated these leases under digital computer control. Figure 1 is a map of the Conroe Field which shows the leases automated and the location of all battery sites, remote terminal units and ACT units.