Improved Recovery Week articles from May 1993

Improved Recovery Week archives from May 1993

Siberian infill drilling pilot forges ahead. (Tracer Petroleum Corp. drills development oil wells in Yaro-Yakinsk oil field in Western Siberia)
May 31, 1993... While multinationals spend years completing exploration and production deals in Russia and other CIS republics, at least one group of independent operators is riding with a huge project that seems to have been put together with relative ease....

Shell ups IOR at Thai field. (Thai Shell Exploration and Production plans improved oil recovery project at Sirikit oil field in Thailand)
May 31, 1993... Gas injection has proved a success at Thailand's onshore Sirikit field and now Thai Shell Exploration & Production plans to introduce waterflooding to expand output, according to local press reports. The company said gas injection has...

Thru-casing log monitors waterflooding. (ParaMagnetic Logging Inc. develops through-casing resistivity logging tool for improved oil recovery applications)
May 31, 1993... A new wrinkle on ParaMagnetic Logging Inc.'s through-casing resistivity logging tool will measure resistivity changes to monitor waterflooding in producing reservoirs. The company, which announced last year it would be using its logging...

TIPRO-GRI name transfer agent. (Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and Gas Research Institute create GRI Technology Transfer Agent Program in Austin, Texas)
May 31, 1993... The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Assn. and the Gas Research Institute have established the nation's first GRI Technology Transfer Agent Program, based in Austin. The program is the next step in efforts by TIPRO and GRI to...

Alaska funds methane project. (Division of Oil and Gas receives grant from state Legislature for research on coalbed methane production)
May 31, 1993... It got far less than it requested, but Alaska's Division of Oil & Gas won about $480,000 recently from the state Legislature to gather data on Alaska's interior basins and to start studies on the potential for coalbed methane production. ...

Unique heavy oil rehab project detailed. (Berry Petroleum Co. plans rehabilitation project for West Montalvo oil field near Ventura, California)
May 31, 1993... Berry Petroleum Co.'s rehabilitation project for California's West Montalvo field near Ventura is driving the comeback of a unique heavy oil accumulation believed to be one of the deepest heavy oil fields in the world. Gravity of the...

Shale-based asphalt process set. (New Paraho Corp. develops process called Shale Oil Modified Asphalt Technology which extends road life by reducing moisture damage, rutting and aging)
May 31, 1993... Favorable road tests are paving the way for an oil shale-based asphalt technology. Researchers at Rifle, Colo.-based New Paraho Corp. have developed a process called Shale Oil Modified Asphalt Technology (SOMAT), which they say can...

Tar sand technique patented. (Dow Chemical Co. patents process for recovery of bitumen from tar sands)
May 31, 1993... Two Dow Chemical Co. researchers have patented a process for the recovery of bitumen from tar sands. R.R. Klimpel and B.S. Fee have received a patent for their flotation process, wherein the tar sands are removed from the ground, mixed...

Wyoming field gets $12 million IOR project. (Questar Corp. and Washington Energy Co. join in improved gas recovery project in Henry oil field in southwest Wyoming)
May 31, 1993... Questar Corp. and Washington Energy Co. have teamed to pump $12 million into a gas recovery project in the Henry oil field in Southwest Wyoming. The two energy companies expect the project, 50 miles east of Evanston, Wyo., to increase...

Saskatchewan threatens expropriation. (government may take control of Newgrade heavy oil upgrader in Regina, operated by Federated Cooperatives Ltd.)
May 31, 1993... The financially troubled government of Saskatchewan is threatening to expropriate and take control of the equally financially laden Newgrade heavy oil upgrader in Regina. The government says it will take over the upgrader unless the...

Producers focus on waterflood expansions. (independent oil field operators plan improved oil recovery projects in Ohio)
May 31, 1993... Despite stagnant oil prices, there is new interest by several operators in increasing the size of some of Ohio's waterflood projects. A number of independent operators, including Quaker State and Mitchell Energy & Development, have opted...

R. Jurgens, R. Roper, J. Oppelt, D. Hrehl, and D. Feld of Baker Hughes, Inc. (patent design of drilling tool with impact device; U.S. Patent No. 5,156,222)
May 31, 1993... R. Jurgens, R. Roper, J. Oppelt, D. Hrehl, and D. Feld of Baker Hughes, Inc. have patented the design of a drilling tool with an impact device acting on its bit shaft to allow for a drilling operation with much reduced static compressive...

G.L. Stegemeier and G.E. Perry of Shell Oil Co. (patent method for providing sharp breakthrough for tracers in two-well tracer test; U.S. Patent No. 5,168,927)
May 31, 1993... G.L. Stegemeier and G.E. Perry of Shell Oil Co. have patented a method for providing sharp breakthrough for tracers in a two-well tracer test by injecting a relatively small volume of tracer at a high rate into a temporary injection well, and...

J.W.F. Costerton, F. Cusack, T.J. Cyr, S.A. Blenkinsopp, and C.P. Anderson of AOSTRA. (patent microbial system for selective plugging of permeable regions of subterranean formation; U.S. Patent No. 5,174,378; Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority)
May 31, 1993... J.W.F. Costerton, F. Cusack, T.J. Cyr, S.A. Blenkinsopp, and C.P. Anderson of AOSTRA have patented a microbial system for selective plugging of permeable regions of a subterranean formation, for use in conjunction with injection of...

Chevron's Kazakh reserves affirm IOR market potential. (Tengiz and Korolev oil fields in Kazakhstan produce 1.1 billion barrels of oil and 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas strengthening improved oil recovery outlook in Commonwealth of Independent States)
May 24, 1993... In the light of Chevron Corp.'s recent announcement that its 50% share of recoverable production from Kazakhstan's Tengiz and Korolev fie Ids totals 1.1 billion barrels of oil and 1.5 trillion cf of gas, it's no secret that the market in the...

Berry workovers get royalty break. (Berry Petroleum Co. sees increase in crude oil production due to improved oil recovery program authorized under California state royalty tax incentive)
May 24, 1993... Berry Petroleum Co. subsidiary Bush Oil Co. says its West Montalvo field in California is producing some 580 b/d of crude oil from four wells, an increase of 25 b/d following a workover program that was authorized under a state royalty tax...

Canadian horizontals could add $40 billion. (directional oil well drilling could add cash flow of $40 billion to Canadian economy at current U.S. prices)
May 24, 1993... A study of Canada's first 500 horizontally drilled oil wells shows that continued use of the technology likely will add 2 billion barrels of incremental oil to the Canadian market during the next 10 to 15 years. At a current price of...

BP sets North Slope disposal plan. (BP Exploration Alaska Inc. proposes plan for disposal of exploration and production wastes on Alaska's North Slope)
May 24, 1993... BP Exploration Alaska has proposed a revised plan to dispose of exploration and production wastes on Alaska's North Slope that the company says will save millions. It also might save the cost and hassle of expensive lawsuits such as the...

Chesapeake to drill 50-70 benders. (Chesapeake Energy Corp. plans directional oil well drilling projects in Texas Austin Chalk trend)
May 24, 1993... Chesapeake Energy Corp., Oklahoma City, says it plans to drill from 50 to 70 more horizontal oil wells in Texas' Austin Chalk trend during the next several years. The company is active in drilling horizontal wells in the Giddings field,...

Bechtel would build Aussie shale demo. (demonstration oil shale plant planned in Queensland, Australia)
May 24, 1993... Australia's front-running shale oil project could be producing synthetic crude within two years -- if sufficient money can be raised this year. Ian McFarlane, chairman of joint-venture partners Southern Pacific Petroleum NL and Central...

Tar sands process adapted. (chemical process developed for tar sands used to separate oil from drilling fluids)
May 24, 1993... A university researcher has turned a chemical process that works on tar sands into a low-cost way to separate oil from drilling fluids. Park Guymon of Weber State University in Utah declined to specify the chemical formula, but has a...

IOGA backs marginal well credit. (Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania supports oil well production tax credit proposed by Independent Petroleum Association of America)
May 24, 1993... The Independent Oil & Gas Assn. of Pennsylvania has agreed to back a new marginal well production tax credit as outlined by the Independent Petroleum Assn. of America. IOGA likes the IPAA proposal because the marginal well tax credit...

Unocal to drill 10 California horizontals. (plans directional oil well drilling projects)
May 24, 1993... Unocal Corp. has 10 horizontal wells on this year's budget for California, most of them to be drilled offshore. Bob Hinkle, Unocal drilling engineer, told a recent Bakersfield gathering of the West Coast Chapter of the American Assn. of...

EIA offers horizontal drilling review. (Energy Information Administration publishes review of directional oil well drilling technology, entitled 'Drilling Sideways - A Review of Horizontal Well Technology and its Domestic Application')
May 24, 1993... DOE's Energy Information Admin. has published a review of horizontal drilling technology and its appeal in the domestic oil and gas exploration and production market. The 25-page report, "Drilling Sideways -- A Review of Horizontal Well...

C.W. Schultz and C.D. Irvin of the University of Alabama. (patent process for separating bitumen from tar sands; U.S. Patent No. 5,186,820)
May 24, 1993... C.W. Schultz and C.D. Irvin of the University of Alabama have patented a process for separating bitumen from tar sands which comprises: A) agitating a mixture of tar sand with substantially coarse clean sand at ambient or below ambient...

J.P. Nielson. (patents method and apparatus for producing oil, bitumen, precious metals, and hydrocarbon gases from mined oil-bearing rock material; U.S. Patent No. 5,178,733)
May 24, 1993... J.P. Nielson has patented a method and apparatus for producing oil, bitumen, precious metals, and hydrocarbon gases from mined oil-bearing rock material such as tar sands and oil shale. The rock is ground, preconditioned in a heated and...

B.G. Buchanan of Royal Dutch/Shell. (patents adjustable and retrievable multiple point steam injection system; Canadian Patent No. 1,300,003)
May 24, 1993... B.G. Buchanan of Royal Dutch/Shell has patented an adjustable and retrievable multiple point steam injection system. It relates to injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir while controlling the proportion that enter selected zones of the...

Derrick-less slimhole drilling aired at OTC '93. (Offshore Technology Conference 1993 features equipment to perform directional drilling operations)
May 17, 1993... Drilling deep or highly deviated small-diameter wells without a conventional derrick-based rig is a reality in the industry today, and proponents forecast increased use of this technology. This is particularly notable in the light of a...

Williams Utah coalgas yield up 27%. (Williams Production Co. reports first quarter production figures for 1993)
May 17, 1993... Williams Production Co., Salt Lake City-based subsidiary of the Williams Cos., Tulsa, Okla., says first-quarter 1993 production from working interest coalbed methane properties conveyed to the Williams Coal Seam Gas Royalty Trust increased...

Abu Dhabi to drill 65 horizontal wells. (Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. plans directional oil well drilling projects in Arabian Gulf area)
May 17, 1993... The Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. plans to drill 65 horizontal wells in its Arabian Gulf acreage in the next two years after claiming the technology is yielding between three and five times the oil coming from its vertical wells. The...

Sect. 29 work aids Halliburton net. (natural gas wells drilled in order to qualify for Section 29 tax credits increase 1993 first quarter profits for Halliburton Co.)
May 17, 1993... Dallas-based Halliburton Co. said completion of natural gas wells drilled to qualify for year-end 1992 Sect. 29 tax credits were a major factor in the company nearly doubling its first-quarter 1993 earnings to $18.8 million, or 18C/share. ...

Increase seen in wells drilled. (American Petroleum Institute reports on oil and gas well drilling in first quarter of 1993)
May 17, 1993... The American Petroleum Institute estimates the number of wells drilled for oil and gas in the first quarter rose 6.3%, compared with the same period a year ago. The increase was paced by a 60% rise in natural gas well completions, API...

AOSTRA lauds viability of pilot test. (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority evaluates bitumen production)
May 17, 1993... The Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority says bitumen production from its underground test facility pilot project in Northern Alberta is economically viable and could become commercial within five years. AOSTRA, with nine...

DOE, others fund Utah sandstone study. (Utah Geological Survey gets $1.7 million grant from Department of Energy)
May 17, 1993... The Utah Geological Survey has been awarded $1.7 million from the Energy Dept., industry and matching funds to model a classic fluvial-dominated deltaic formation for increased oil and gas production. The three-year project will focus on...

Phillips scores with Texas, U.K. horizontals. (Phillips Petroleum Co. finishes directional oil well drilling projects)
May 17, 1993... Phillips Petroleum Co. and its U.K. subsidiary have reported recent completions of successful horizontal wells. In the U. S., Phillips announced completion of its West Cement Medrano Unit Well No. 71 in Oklahoma. The well, drilled...

U.K. well tests coalbed methane. (Evergreen Resources Ltd. executes production tests on coalbed methane wells in United Kingdom)
May 17, 1993... A subsidiary of Denver-based Evergreen Resources Inc. is conducting production tests on the U.K.'s first coalbed methane well, which it completed recently at Sealand in Northwest England, 23 miles northwest of Chester. Evergreen...

Westlands horizontal on stream. (Westlands Resources Corp. completes horizontal gas well in Giddings field in Brazos, County, Texas)
May 17, 1993... Westlands Resources Corp. has begun production from its recently completed horizontal gas well in the Giddings field in Brazos County, Texas (TR W 5/10). The company, a subsidiary of Daleco Resources Corp. of Vancouver, British Columbia,...

W. Va. sees Sect. 29 'feeding frenzy'. (oil producers in West Virginia try to qualify for Section 29 tax credit)
May 17, 1993... As they did in other states, many producers in West Virginia made a mad rush to qualify for the Sect. 29 tax credit that expired at the end of last year. But even a mad rush couldn't boost the 1992 total of tight gas sands completions...

'92 gas reserve additions may hit 12 tcf. (American Gas Association reports on data from top 30 natural gas reserve holders for 1992; trillion cubic feet)
May 17, 1993... U.S. natural gas reserve additions in 1992 should have been 70% to 86% of production, says the American Gas Assn. According to data from the top 30 reserve holders, total reserve additions may range from 12 tcf to 14.8 tcf, which AGA...

A. D'Souza of Chevron Research & Technology Co. (patents method for enhancing uniformity of steam quality in multiple steam injection system; U.S. Patent No. 5,190,105)
May 17, 1993... A. D'Souza of Chevron Research & Technology Co. has patented a method for enhancing the uniformity of steam quality, i.e. steam quality equalization, in a multiple steam injection system having a steam generator, and primary and/or secondary...

P. Shu of Mobil Oil Corp. (patents method for consolidation of subterranean formation; U.S. Patent No. 5,190,904)
May 17, 1993... P. Shu of Mobil Oil Corp. has patented a method for the consolidation of subterranean formation and, more particularly, to a method of introducing two consolidating fluids into a zone of an incompetent formation so as to form a silica cement...

J.S. Tang and B.C. Harker of Exxon Production Research Co. (patent method of using tracers to monitor miscibility of solvent in oil reservoirs; U.S. Patent No. 5,111,882)
May 17, 1993... J.S. Tang and B.C. Harker of Exxon Production Research Co. have patented a method of using tracers to monitor in situ miscibility of solvent in oil reservoirs during IOR. In comprises selecting at least two tracers from the group consisting...

New oil sands extraction method shows promise. (developed by engineer Bill Strand, utilizing counter-current drum separation)
May 10, 1993... Engineer Bill strand's new oil sands extraction idea has made it into reality. It shows potential not only for oil sands reserves in Western Canada, but for similar U.S. oil sands reserves, as well. Several years ago Strand, senior...

BP to produce with E-R wells. (British Petroleum Ltd. to use extended-reach oil wells)
May 10, 1993... British Petroleum Ltd. estimates it will begin producing oil in July from an offshore reservoir with the first of three extended-reach wells drilled from land. The company said the offshore Sherwood reservoir extension of the onshore...

Texaco to thin Texas tar thermally. (Texaco USA Inc. reopens asphaltic crude oil project in South Texas at Briscoe Ranch gas field in Zavala County)
May 10, 1993... Texaco USA Inc. has dusted off an old asphaltic crude project in South Texas and is giving it a second swipe. The company's Briscoe Ranch gas field in Zavala County contains considerable tar reserves. The field, operated by the Eastern...

IRS announces '92 Sect. 29 rate. (energy tax credit rates for 1992)
May 10, 1993... IRS announces '92 Sect. 29 rate Non-conventional gas producers saw a tax credit of 95.3/mmBtu of gas produced in 1992, according to the Internal Revenue Service. That came from the now-expired Sect, 29 tax credit for coalbed methane...

'Geosteering' touted. (Offshore Industry Issues reports on data used to interactively steer high-angle and horizontal wells to target formation)
May 10, 1993... Use of logging-while-drilling data to interactively steer high-angle and horizontal wells to and through a target formation can lead to productive profiles, a report says. The report, in the most recent issue of OffShore Industry Issues,...

Haynesville production keeps going and going. (Jurassic Haynesville formation's Frisco City sand interval in Southwest Alabama proves to be continuously productive)
May 10, 1993... The Jurassic Haynesville formation's prolific Frisco City sand interval is making Southwest Alabama one of the hot spots in the domestic oil patch. Production at the six-well North Frisco City field, which thus far is the most prolific...

Westlands completes bender. (Westlands Resources Corp. completes horizontal gas well in Brazos County, Texas)
May 10, 1993... Westlands Resources Corp., a subsidiary of Daleco Resources Corp. of Vancouver, British Columbia, recently completed the Tom Moore Well No. 3-H, a Giddings field horizontal gas well, in the Clay area of Brazos County, Texas. The well,...

Amoco to up Bravo Dome CO2. (Amoco Production Co. plans increased expenditure on additional volume of carbon dioxide for injection into Bravo Dome Gas Unit in Northeastern New Mexico)
May 10, 1993... Amoco Production Co. says it will spend $26.2 million this year to supply increased volumes of carbon dioxide for injection into the Bravo Dome Gas Unit in Northeastern New Mexico. The program will increase production of [CO.sub.2] for...

In-mine horizontal well taps Utah coalgas. (drilling technique developed by Resource Enterprises Inc. used at coal mine belonging to Sun Coal Co.)
May 10, 1993... Low-cost horizontal drilling is making it possible to produce 1.4 mmcf/d of coalbed methane from a Utah mine. This novel process is taking place at Sun Coal's Soldier Canyon mine. Operators collect methane from bores drilled directly into...

C.F. Barrientos-Penna, R.C. Greenhorn and C.K. Li Kwok Cheong of Canadian Fracmaster Ltd. (patent carbon dioxide system for hydraulic fracturing of hydrocarbon reservoirs; Canadian Patent No. 1,301,443)
May 10, 1993... C.F. Barrientos-Penna, R.C. Greenhorn and C.K. Li Kwok Cheong of Canadian Fracmaster Ltd. have patented a carbon dioxide system for hydraulic fracturing of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Novel high-phase volume liquid [CO.sub.2] fluids are disclosed...

Independent uses new technology for offshore work. (Benton Oil and Gas Co.; offshore oil production)
May 3, 1993... A California independent is expliting the exodus of the majors from the U.S. by earning its way into participation in major offshore salt dome fields along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Benton Oil & Gas Co., Oxnard, Calif., is using...

Parker to help develop Tengiz. (Parker Drilling Co.; Tengiz oil field in Kazakhstan)
May 3, 1993... Parker Drilling Co. has been selected to help develop the Tengiz field in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan. Parker of Tulsa, Okla., signed the deal with Tengizchevroil, the joint venture company formed by Chevron Overseas Co., a...

Venezuela debates $1.7 billion heavy oil deal. (business venture between Conoco Inc. and Maraven S.A.)
May 3, 1993... The Venezuelan Congress last week began debate on a proposed $1.7 billion project to exploit that country's heavy oil reserves that could increase Venezuela's gross domestic product a full 1% during the three-year startup period. The...

Ponder gets Azerbaijani contract. (Ponder Industries Inc. joint venture Baku-Ponder Services JV to provide oilfield services)
May 3, 1993... A joint venture company that includes Ponder Industries Inc., Alice, Texas, has been given the go-ahead by the republic of Azerbaijan to provide oilfield services in that CIS member-nation. Ponder said the joint venture, Baku-Ponder...

Elk Hills potential covered. (DOE plans re-drill of oil well in Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve, California)
May 3, 1993... DOE is planning a re-drill this year of a well in California's Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve that, if commercial, would lead to more deep tests. Success could generate interest throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley for deeper...

Wyoming microbial IOR test under way. (improved oil recovery)
May 3, 1993... A federal research laboratory is testing whether bacteria can effectively produce carbon dioxide to thin heavy stripper crude to make it more mobile in the reservoir. The researchers also hope it will create nitrogen to help drive the...

Oil sands group triples earnings. (Suncor Inc. reports earnings for first quarter of 1993)
May 3, 1993... The Oil Sands Group of Suncor Inc., Toronto, registered first-quarter 1993 earnings of C$12 million, up from C$4 million for the same period in 1992. The company said the earnings hike came despite a loss of sales volumes in January,...

Adams finals Chalk horizontal. (Adams Resources Exploration Corp. completes directional drilling project in Burleson County, Texas)
May 3, 1993... Adams Resources Exploration Corp., a subsidiary of Houston-based Adams Resources & Energy Inc., recently completed the Nix Well No. 1-H in the Ann T Woolridge Survey A-244, Burieson County, Texas. The well, drilled in the Giddings field,...

Geologist advocates new IOR ideas. (Parke Dickey addresses audience at Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Pennsylvania; improved oil recovery)
May 3, 1993... A nationally known geologist believes new ideas can still result in additional oil and gas. Speaking at a special outing last week at the Drake Well Museum in Titusville, Pa., Parke Dickey said deeper drilling and innovations in...

B.G. Buchanan of Royal Dutch/Shell. (patents adjustable and retrievable multiple-point steam injection system; Canadian Patent No. 1,300,002)
May 3, 1993... B.G. Buchanan of Royal Dutch/Shell has patented an adjustable and retrievable multiple-point steam injection system. The invention relates to a single tubing string containing an adjustable downhole regulating system for distributing injected...

S.L. Vasicek and J.H. Duerksen of Chevron Research and Technology Co. (patent method for enhancing flow of viscous hydrocarbons; U.S. Patent No. 5,123,485)
May 3, 1993... S.L. Vasicek and J.H. Duerksen of Chevron Research and Technology Co. have patented a method for enhancing the flow of viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation wherein the formation is transversed by a cased wellbore having a first...