The horizontal type internal combustion engine evolved very naturally within the oil industry and it is, next to the steam engine, probably the oldest type prime mover in continuous use in the field. Since the Otto, or four-stroke cycle had already been established, the early engines followed this, and from an effort to reduce weight and moving parts evolved the two-stroke cycle engine. So today we have the four-stroke cycle and the two-stroke cycle engines in general use in the oil fields.

Fluid-loss control additives for cement slurries have historically tended to undesirably retard compressive strength development at temperatures below approximately 13O'F. In order to counteract this retardation, calcium chloride set accelerator has often been added to the slurry. Unfortunately, calcium chloride adversely affects the performance of commonly used fluid-loss additives. Frequently, fluid-loss control can only be obtained by adding significantly higher concentrations of the additive. This often results in an unacceptably high slurry viscosity and cost. An ideal cement slurry for low-temperature applications should provide excellent fluid-loss control, adequate pumping time and rapid strength development. In addition, it is often desirable to use calcium chloride to economically accelerate the set of the cement, reducing the WOC (wait on cement) time. Recent studies of cementing applications at temperatures below 130_F have resulted in the development of cement slurries that provide excellent fluid-loss control, rapid strength development and are not adversely affected by the addition of calcium chloride. Excellent performance can be obtained using API Class A and C cements, as well as fly ash and bentonite containing lightweight slurries. Laboratory data comparing currently used fluid-loss additives with these newly developed slurries are presented. Case histories of wells cemented using these new slurries are also discussed.

Current increase in drilling activity of existing fields and reentry in oilfields brought on by upgrading of gas and oil pricing structures has necessitated small well-head compression. Types size limitations, configurations, design features and operations are discussed for compressors available in size ranges from 10 horsepower to 200 horsepower. Today's field design and application requirements for maximum compression flexibility and minimum compressor horsepower are discussed.

Sodium silicate has a long but somewhat overlooked history as a treatment option for conformance and remedial casing repair. Recently, there has been greater interest in the use of sodium silicate-based technology for these applications. The environmentally friendly nature of sodium silicate has been a key reason for this renewed interest. Low cost, durability and advances in silicate chemistry are the other factors driving this resurgence. Sodium silicate is a unique chemical in that it can undergo different types of chemical reactions. This paper will review silicate chemistry and the different reactions for setting sodium silicate. The HS&E characteristics will also be discussed. Case histories will be presented in the application of sodium silicate for blocking gas migration along micro annuli behind casing, isolating near wellbore annular fluid crossflows via channels, and step processes used to gain control over casing "pin-hole-leaks." Also presented will be the setting reaction between sodium silicate and carbon dioxide and how it can be used for CO2 EOR profile control and interwell communication diversion.

The innovation of using a standard 160D pump jack to lift water from a gas zone at 7450 feet by solar energy only, without storage batteries was presented at this seminar last year. The alternative power source to drive the pump jack motor was expanded to include a wind turbine to take advantage of wind power available in low sunlight conditions. The combination of two sources of clean energy power the unit to run at 6 strokes per minute at wind speeds as low as 11 mph. Sophisticated digital controllers providing power to the unit in "either/or" and "both" modes, is the key to this "one-of-kind" installation. A summary review of the installation and the performance data will be presente

By way of introduction, the availability of solar energy is discussed by considering such ideas as solar constant, sun angles. solar spectrum, and direct and diffuse components of radiation. Solar thermal conversion is discussed via consideration of flat plate und concentrating solar collectors, including geometries and test standards. Solar energy applications are reviewed giving current statusand estimated future importance of the following: heating, cooling and hot water, thermal-electric power generation, photo voltaic, power generation, thermal mechanical pumping, and process heat supply.

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are frequently located in remote, environmentally hostile locations. Even in favorable conditions, the Remote Terminal Unit's (RTU) location often dictated function with a minimum of maintenance and routine oversight from operators. These criteria imply that these systems must be durable, reliable, and portable. Without an equally durable, reliable, and portable power source, these systems cannot carry out their intended functions. Photovoltaic (PV), or solar power, systems can meet these conditions. This paper will present an overview of the steps involved in designing and installing PV power systems supplying RTUs. Reviews of two Arco systems are included.

Solar powered pump jacks have been utilized in shallow wells for some time. An American 160D pump jack with 54 inch stroke has been modified to run with a 3HP motor on a conventional rod string and down hole pump producing gas from perforations at 7369-7402 feet with seating nipple at 7450 feet. All power is provided by solar panels without back up battery power. Run times are restricted to bright sun periods. Fluid production volume rates of 2 to 3 barrels per day have been achieved. Fluid is formation water and casing leak invasion water and severely restricts gas flow. Fluid recovery over a long period of time is permissible in this project. Details, photos, and production results will be presented. This project is still on-going and any new data obtained prior to the presentation will be included. This project was partially funded by the Stripper Well Consortium.

Continuous Fiberglass Rod pump jacks system designed for efficient low horsepower are beginning to be used for dewatering of gas wells.

The accumulation of paraffin deposits in oil wells and flow lines presents a production and transportation problem that is very costly to the oil industry. This problem has been attacked in may ways but, until a few years ago the removal of such deposits was accomplished by mechanical means only. These usually involved lost time, extra labor, and special tools, all of which were expensive to the operator. Because of the high cost of such mechanical methods, it was found that, in many cases, chemical solvents, when properly applied, removed paraffin deposits from the well and flow line, with far less expense to the operator. Also, that mechanical methods and solvents could be combined to give the operator a better overall job at the lowest cost.

Many problems encountered in oil and gas production can be solved if the fluid in the well is known. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the application of radioactive isotopes to the solution of these problems. This paper will discuss how a radioactive tracer survey is possible and the following application of it: injection profile, channel location, evaluation of perforating and fracture treatment, and cement location. The actual radioactive tracer units will be discussed briefly.

Producing companies and operators are universally concerned with reducing failures in rod pumping systems. Costly failures effect a company's profitability. A leading cause of rod pumping failures is rod buckling. This paper discusses the problems, causes, and solutions of sucker rod buckling. Various methods of determining the buckling force are presented. These methods include computer modeling, physical downhole measurement, and empirical models. Furthermore, a calculation scheme is detailed for predicting buckling modes, patches. bending moments, and peak stresses in the rod string. Buckling hysteresis and friction are also discussed. The results of the buckling predictions are supported by actual stress measurements from a downhole load cell tool. Lastly, considerations for preventing severe rod buckling are offered. All material is presented for practical field application. .

The disposal of produced water is an integral part of the oil producing operation. Various methods of disposal have been utilized over past years, however, strict anti-pollution laws prohibiting surface disposal and the high cost of trucking water have narrowed the options. On-lease disposal by pipeline into company or cooperative disposal systems is the most efficient and economical solution. Proper design of the disposal system should be given due consideration and planning to minimize the cost of disposal and to insure the life of the disposal system.

Any man responsible for oil production should obtain maximum amount of oil with a minimum amount of expensive down time. In pumping wells, the fact that maximum allowable loading of sucker rods is intimately connected with this responsibility makes it a subject of importance to us all. This paper will not attempt to outline any specific method of arriving at a set maximum allowable loadings for various grades of rods under various pumping conditions, rather it will discuss a few of the many factors which have an influence on maximum loadings. Because of these factors, the subject is a complex and sometimes controversial one.

The principal causes of motor failure in the oil field are: (1) Lighting strikes or surges (2) Single-phasing of power system supply (3) Overload or high current conditions due to low voltage conditions on the line, voltage drops, voltage unbalance on 3-phase power supply or the motor incorrectly sized to load. Are these problems the result of design or of equipment specifications? Further, what can be done to lessen equipment failures from these causes?

It would be absurd to try to discuss in one paper all of the legal problems encountered in lease operations after discovery of oil. The problems are of enormous scope and complexity and could not be adequately covered in a voluminous book. Consequently, this paper will merely attempt a general summary, without elaboration or citation of authorities, of some of the many legal problems you may encounter in your lease operations in the State of Texas.

This paper contains a brief review of submergible pumps and their application. The use of smaller capacity deeper pumping is covered, including the use of bottom-intake type equipment and the use of submergible pumps in pumping and injecting of water in waterflood projects.

In many applications, an important aspect of beam and sucker rod pumping operation and analysis has been generally unrecognized. This paper reviews and emphasizes not only this deficiency, but also the intrinsic value of several classes of dynamometer card shapes and slopes, to certain pumping unit geometries and applications. A basic understanding of the nature, character and shape of the polished rod dynagraph, and its relationship to the particular pumping unit geometry selected - coupled with the modern analytical techniques of S. G. Gibbs and others - should materially assist the designer in determining a more effective beam and rod pumping system.

A number of pilot waterfloods in carbonate reservoirs have been studied. There is a wide variation in the performance of these pilot waterfloods.

Unlike many other commodities, however, crude oil, by its heterogeneous nature, presents some very unique problems in measurement. This is especially true in the oil-field close to the wellhead

Drilling Contracts have evolved over the years with turnkey contracts becoming more popular in the most recent downturn in the up and down rig utilization cycle. Most contract writer experience extends only to the 1970's early 1980's boom. Expectations of contracting parties are changed as are Operator-Contractor relations. Though some provisions are more important to one party then the other some are of universal concerns. Simplicity and a clear divisions of responsibility, minimum well defined specifications, compliance with governmental regulations and financial responsibility must be addressed by every contract.

A new federal air quality rule governing midstream and upstream activity is in effect. The rule, also known by its more formal citation 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOO, or

It is well known that a computer can help engineers to be more productive. Currently, there are multitudes of hardware and software available on the market. Communications capabilities now exist to provide a link between the well site and the computer. The paper focuses on the current availability of software and communications to provide access to large core programs from the well site, the benefit to the engineer of this expanded computer power, and some specific examples of the software.

Dr. Webb, in answer to his critics, has stated his intent to aid the people of this area in understanding and adjusting to the environment in which they live. Although they may not fully agree with Dr. Webb's description of their area, they must be prepared to recognize that water is a priceless and essential resource of seriously limited supply in much of West Texas. Recognition of this fact leads to the conclusion that West Texans must be prepared to utilize any available source of water for waterflood no matter how unfavorable it may be.

This paper presents a case study in developing a method for cleaning out wellbores of shallow, low pressure, low rate Southeast New Mexico Eumont gas wells. These wells have inherent problems that were addressed utilizing different approaches with some interesting results. The methodology is discussed along with the successes and failures.