Improved Recovery Week articles from July 1992

Improved Recovery Week archives from July 1992

'Closed bomb' developer gets more money. (TPL Inc. receives funding from Department of Energy for development of multiple-fracture devices for vertical and horizontal well drilling)
July 27, 1992... An Albuquerque, N.M., company that has been developing special "closed bomb" multiple-fracture devices for conventional vertical and horizontal wells has received additional DOE funding. Hap Stoller, president of TPL Inc., told IRW his...

Federal shale leasing OK'd. (House Energy Committee approves H.R. 3168, requiring 20% royalty on federal leases)
July 27, 1992... There's good news and bad news concerning oil and gas leasing on naval oil shale reserves in Colorado. Private companies probably will get the chance to explore reserves Nos. 1 and 2, both in Garfield County. They will probably have to...

Ampolex mulls Aussie offshore horizontals. (company plans horizontal drilling off western Australia coast)
July 27, 1992... Horizontal wells drilled from a controversial floating production platform or from a conventional fixed platform are the two options for development of a significant new oil field off the coast of Western Australia. Ampolex Ltd. has...

Poland offers coalgas licenses. (Poland's Environmental Protection Ministry solicits bids from international oil and gas companies)
July 27, 1992... Poland's Environmental Protection Ministry has invited international oil and gas companies to bid for coalbed methane exploration licenses. Poland, the first Eastern European country to shed its communist government, has vast coal reserves,...

Alberta publishes oil sands stats. (annual statistics for oil sands production published by Energy Resources Conservation Board, Alberta, Canada)
July 27, 1992... A publication that contains Suncor Ltd. and Syncrude Ltd. oil sands plant production and processing for 1967 through 1991 is available from Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board. The book, entitled Alberta's Oil Sands Annual...

Venezuela field due infill program. (Lagoven S.A., Venezuela, to drill infill wells to recover incremental oil)
July 27, 1992... The Venezuelan company Lagoven says it can recover up to 255 million barrels of incremental oil from its Bachaquero field in Lake Maracaibo with closer well spacing. The company says it will drill infill wells with 150-meter spacing...

Tax credit drilling moot in 1992 E&P. (oil exploration and production increases not greatly influenced by tax credit)
July 27, 1992... Tax credit drilling is responsible for only a small part of the anticipated increase in exploration and production expenditures for oil and gas this year from 1991. A review by IRW's affiliated newsletter, Gas Daily, found that, of the...

Calif. firm to drill horizontal. (Bakersfield Energy Resources Inc. to drill horizontal well)
July 27, 1992... Bakersrield Energy Resources Inc. has more than doubled its oil production and tripled its gas production from California's Lost Hills field since the first of this year. But the independent, based in Bakersfield, Calif., will try for...

Drilling cost/foot said down. (cost-per-foot decreases in 1991 for oil well drilling)
July 27, 1992... The cost-per-foot to drill and equip the average U.S. oil or gas well in 1991 dropped by nearly 16%, says the Independent Petroleum Assn. of America's composite index. That was eight times 1990's decline of 2%. Payments to drilling...

Gerrity completes Silo 'bender'. (Gerrity Oil and Gas Corp. completes horizontal well in Silo field, eastern Wyoming)
July 27, 1992... Denver-based Gerrity Oil & Gas Corp. completed its State No. 10-1H horizontal well in the Silo field in Eastern Wyoming. Gerrity said the well flowed 1,470 b/d of oil on a 44/64" choke during a 12-hour test. The company said the well...

Horizontal wells aid gas storage.
July 27, 1992... Horizontal wells may help in all phases of oil and gas production, but now - up in Michigan - they're even being used in gas storage operations. ANR Pipeline Co., Detroit, a subsidiary of Coastal Corp., Houston, is drilling up to five...

Illinois study highlights IOR techniques. (research study conducted by Illinois State Geological Survey focuses on improved oil recovery)
July 27, 1992... A research study mounted by the Illinois State Geological Survey is evaluating reservoir development strategies for some of the state's old producing oil fields. The study, entitled the "Improved Oil Recovery and Reservoir...

R.G. Wall, F. Friedmann and S.P. Current of Chevron Research Co. (patents method of improved oil recovery using foam; U.S. Patent No. 5,005,644)
July 27, 1992... R.G. Wall, F. Friedmann and S.P. Current of Chevron Research Co. have patented a method of improved oil recovery using foam to improve die effectiveness of steam to mobilize viscous crude, either for steam stimulation in a single well or for...

A.A. Gregoli, A.M. Olah, J.A. Hamshar, D.P. Rimmer and E. Yildirim of Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. (patents process for producing bitumen emulsion; U.S. Patent No. 5,083,613)
July 27, 1992... A.A. Gregoli, A.M. Olah, J.A. Hamshar, D.P. Rimmer and E. Yildirim of Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. have patented a process for producing bitumen emulsion. A void is created at the bottom of the borehole,. A bundle, of spring-loaded...

C.M. Schwab Jr. of Otis Engineering Corp. (patents invention for recovery of viscous petroleum form layered reservoirs; Canadian Patent No. 1,292,428)
July 27, 1992... C.M. Schwab Jr. of Otis Engineering Corp. has patented an invention relating to the recovery of viscous petroleum from layered reservoirs using a well system that provides for heated vapor and liquid injection into one or more formations...

Fracking, horizontals best for Aussie coalgas. (hydraulic fracture stimulation and horizontal drilling; coalbed methane deposits in New South Wales, Australia)
July 20, 1992... Hydraulic fracture stimulation and horizontal drilling appear to be the most promising technologies for commercial development of vast coalbed methane deposits in New South Wales, Australia. And while a recently released report...

Cloture vote due on bill. (vote to end debate and curb filibusters on omnibus energy bill)
July 20, 1992... It's a race against time - and the legislative calendar - for the omnibus energy bill this week. As the U.S. Senate returns from recess, the threat of two filibusters finds senators called up for a July 22 cloture vote which, if...

Louisiana to set 960-acre Chalk units. (Sonat Exploration Co. and Cliffs Drilling Co. petition to establish Austin Chalk horizontal oil wells)
July 20, 1992... Interest in the Austin Chalk remains high in Louisiana, where Sonat Exploration Co. and Cliffs Drilling Co. recently petitioned for establishment of 29 units of 960 acres each to accommodate horizontal wells. The two companies were among...

Tenneco to finance gas suppliers. (money to go to independent operators)
July 20, 1992... In an effort to add gas supplies to its pipeline system and help customers lock up their own supplies, the Tenneco Gas division of Tenneco Inc. has raised $75 million to invest in exploration and production along the Gulf Coast. But the...

Water outstrips Prudhoe Bay oil. (Alaska)
July 20, 1992... What was once the largest U.S. domestic oil field will given producing more water than oil before the end of the year. According to BP Alaska Inc., the Prudhoe Bay field, which is producing some 1.1 million to 1.2 million b/d of water,...

Oklahoma producers begin image campaign. (petroleum producers work to improve public image of environmental commitment)
July 20, 1992... Oklahoma producers have decided to go on the offensive against charges that they have a poor commitment to the environment, and they're backing it with a voluntary surcharge on their oil production. What's more, they're hoping it will...

Syncrude costs at record low. (operating costs for Syncrude Canada Ltd.)
July 20, 1992... For the year ending June 30, Syncrude Canada Ltd.'s operating costs dropped to a record low of C$14.76/barrel at its 165,000-b/d oil sands plant at Fort McMurray, Alberta A Syncrude spokesperson said the sub-$15 average cost is important...

Commerce plans Mideast trip. (U.S. Commerce Department)
July 20, 1992... The U.S. Commerce Dept. invites oilfield service/supply companies to participate in a "Matchmaker Trade Delegation" to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on Nov. 10-17. Commerce says participants are guaranteed a series of meetings with...

EOR handbook available. (enhanced oil recovery environmental regulations handbook offered by Department of Energy)
July 20, 1992... DOE is making its new Environmental Regulations Handbook for Enhanced Oil Recovery available through its DOE Bartlesville (Okla.) Project Office. To obtain a copy, contact Herb Tiedemann at the DOE Bartlesville, Project Office, P.O. Box...

Ashland, GRI set Appalachian venture. (Ashland Exploration Inc., Gas Research Institute)
July 20, 1992... A drilling venture between Ashland Exploration Inc. and the Gas Research Institute may lead to a better understanding of and improved performance from tight Devonian and Berea natural gas formations in the Appalachian Basin. The joint...

Texas sets 118 May, June horizontal permits. (Texas Railroad Commission grants 118 permits for May and June, 1992)
July 20, 1992... Probably as a result of its all-out effort to institute natural gas prorationing, the Texas Railroad Commission only just tallied horizontal drilling permits granted in the state for both May and June. It counted 118 permits: 62 in May, 56 in...

D.J. Stephens and R.P. Leaute of Esso Resources Canada Ltd. (Canadian Patent No. 1,295,547 for overburn process for bitumens recovery)
July 20, 1992... D.J. Stephens and R.P. Leaute of Esso Resources Canada Ltd. have patented an overburn process for heavy bitumens recovery. The invention involves use of in situ combustion in a zone of increased effective permeability or injectivity about a...

V.H. Schievelbein of Texaco Inc. (U.S. Patent No. 5,033,547 for technique on decreasing mobility of dense carbon dioxide in subterranean conditions)
July 20, 1992... V.H. Schievelbein of Texaco Inc. has received a patent on a method for decreasing mobility of dense carbon dioxide in subterranean formations. Oil recovery by [CO.sub.2] at high pressures such that an emulsion with water will be formed in the...

Gardes drilling redefines improved recovery. (Gardes Directional Drillers introduces a new technique in horizontal drilling; obtains patent on the technique)
July 6, 1992... A Louisiana-based directional and horizontal drilling company is seizing myriad opportunities in "high-tech" improved oil and gas recovery. Under the leadership of Bob Gardes, a veteran of 18 years of onshore and offshore directional...

China begins methane quest. (promotes use of coal methane production to cut down on energy waste and reduce pollution)
July 6, 1992... The People Republic of China has launched a $25 million campaign to use coalbed methane in efforts to reduce air pollution and energy waste. In addition to targeting methane, the program will address energy efficiency as it pertains to...

Utah moves on Uinta Basin IOR. (Utah approves work on improved oil recovery in the Uinta Basin)
July 6, 1992... Utah hopes to be among the first getting to work on a DOE program to extend the productive life of U.S. oil fields. In April, DOE officials announced selection of 14 state and industry proposals for increasing recovery from wells that...

Inter-well imaging project on. (joint research project on rock properties and petroleum geology in the United Kingdom funded by Reading University, Applied Reservoir Technology Ltd. and Simon Petroleum Technology Ltd.)
July 6, 1992... An $850,000 projects is being undertaken in the United Kingdom to help identify physical parameters beyond the wellbore. Jointly funded by Simon Petroleum Technology Ltd., Applied Reservoir Technology Ltd. and Reading University, the...

Danish offshore waterflood set. (oil and gas companies explore the Danish area of the North Sea; consortium will use water injection technique)
July 6, 1992... The three partners of the Dansk Undergrunds Consortium (D.U.K.) will invest more than US$540 million to develop the Gorm field in the Danish sector of the North Sea. And they will use horizontal water injection wells to do it. The...

Mobil beats its N. Sea horizontal record. (Mobil North Sea Ltd's reports record production from its North Sea oil fields)
July 6, 1992... Mobil North Sea Ltd. has smashed its in-house horizontal drilling records with a 3,000' horizontal section it drilled recently in the Lancelot field in the British sector of the North Sea. The well, No. 48/17a-6, which tested at 47...

Emirates drill 28 horizontals. (Persian Gulf countries switch to horizontal drilling technique to increase oil production)
July 6, 1992... Persian Gulf oil-producing states are switching to horizontal drilling more and more these days in an attempt to boost production According to press reports, an industry conference held in Abu Dhabi was told that 28 horizontal wells...

Shell Calif. properties get no bids. (Shell Western Exploration and Production Inc. puts its oil fields in Kern County, California up for sale)
July 6, 1992... The major thermal recovery properties that Shell Western Exploration & Production Inc. put on the block last summer in Kern County, Calif., have failed to receive an acceptable offer. In June 1991, the company had its interests in the two...

Ohio directional holes rise. (Ohio approves additional permits for horizontal drilling in the Silurian Clinton-Medina area of Northeastern Ohio)
July 6, 1992... Sometimes the best prospect in a heavily developed geologic play has to be targeted with a directional hole. Such is the case with Silurian Clinton-Medina sand drilling in Northeastern Ohio. Developed the past 80 years, the Clinton...

5th Elk Hills horizontal finaled. (Elk Hills oil fields now in production; Bechtel Petroleum Operations wins contract from the Department of Energy)
July 6, 1992... The Elk Hills field in California's San Joaquin Valley has its fifth horizontal well in a development that has produced 2 million barrels of oil in the past 3-1/2 years. DOE, with Bechtel Petroleum Operations as contract operator,...