Henry R. Swartzlander, Texaco USA
In 1982 Texaco USA initiated a study of producing field automation in the Midland Producing Division. As a result of the study, all facets of one producing field were automated. Based on acquired knowledge from this project, Texaco's Midland Producing Division and our Houston Information Technology Department (In>) initiated the construction of a sucker rod pump-off controller based on available off-the-shelf remote terminal unit (RTU) components. This paper will explain some of the choices associated with the POC application and discuss future RTU applications. The driving force behind Texaco's development of the Rod Pump Monitor Controller was the need for wellsite information at a central location. Market availability of off-theshelf pump-off controllers was limited, and the fundamental building blocks for a general RTU based system were readily available. This same general RTU can be used for injection control, automatic well testing, tank battery monitoring and control, and electric submersible pump control.