A recent Environmental Forum meeting on February 19 demonstrated some
of the technology transfer that is the cornerstone of the SPE's mission,
and admirably showed the benefits of attending such meetings. The meeting
was very well attended with some really good speakers and topics. A
Russian, Genaday Moshkovich, talked about the state of environmental
awareness and protection in Russia. He prefaced his discussion with an
appeal for some understanding of the revolution sweeping the Russian
federation. He said no revolution of such magnitude by a world power had
ever been attempted in a non violent way.
A second speaker, Juan Chacon, of Torch discussed his recent workover
program on a platform obtained with the Unocal sale (and which had been
traded from Chevron before that). Working on seven wells, Juan boosted
production by 1400 BOPD, and almost tripled the platform's production.
Not bad for a platform that was scheduled for abandonment when Unocal
had possession. His talk was particulary useful, since the workovers
had to be done inexpensively and quickly. His solutions, while working
with a small support staff, and limited funding, were simple, direct,
and pertinent to any LA Basin operator.
The final speaker, Tony Lanson, of CalResources, discussed their efforts
to make the Huntington Beach property profitable after losing a million
dollars a month. But, this was not a typical slash and burn solution,
because they still wanted to increase production with new development
projects. CalResourses' solutions shed light on how to better manage any
large scale operation while keeping an eye on the bottom line of fiscal
responsibility. His talk generated probably 15 questions and answers.
When I left after the talk, Tony was surrounded by 5 or 6 people asking
still more questions.
Comparing Juan's minimalist approach to production enhancement to Tony's
considerable effort to understand his own property provided good examples
for the tools necessary to successfully compete in today's market. The
event was enjoyable and productive for those who attended. Try to avail
yourselves of what Your society has to offer.
Continuing with the SPE theme of technology transfer, all members are
encouraged to apply for any of several SPE Forum meetings to be held in
Breckenridge, Colorado this July. The SPE Forum series is a group meeting
format that provides opportunities to examine timely technical issues
through dialog and discussion. Four topics to be discussed are 3D Reservoir
Characterization, Emerging Applications of NMR, Mulitlateral Completions,
and Advances in the Use of Floating Production Systems. If you think
you have something to offer and something to gain, call the Meetings Unit,
SPE Headquarters, (972) 952-9393, or see me for an application.
DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 1997
TIME: Registration: 11:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:45 a.m.
Speaker: 12:15 p.m.
Finish: 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Long Beach Petroleum Club
3636 Linden Ave., Long Beach
Reservations not required.
PRICE: $15.00/general - $5.00/students
SPEAKER: MR. NEIL EDMUNDS, EOR MANAGER,
CS RESOURCES LTD.
TOPIC: 'HORIZONTAL WELLS AND HEAVY OIL
In the wake of the price crash in the mid-1980's, there has been a notable
renaissance in Canadian heavy-oil and bitumen production. This has been
made possible largely by the rapid development and deployment of horizontal
drilling technology and is encouraged by the enormous heavy resources
of the western Canadian basin. Three types of heavy-technology plays
have emerged primary recovery of heavy oil with horizontal wells, enhanced
cold production of bitumen made possible by the ability to produce massive
amounts of formation sand and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD).
Of these, SAGD appears to have the greatest potential in terms of the
addressable resource.
presentation briefly reviews the past 10 years of technological development
in the Canadian heavy-oil patch and gives a more detailed look at SAGD.
It concludes with a survey of some of the fascinating and unique reservoir,
production, and facilities engineering challenges relating to SAGD.
Neil Edmunds is manager of EOR for CS Resources Ltd. in Calgary. He holds
a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta and
has 18 years of industry experience, primarily in thermal recovery of
bitumen. Mr. Edmunds began his career
with Gulf Canada and subsequently held positions with AOSTRA and Vikor
Resources ltd. As principal of Clearwater Engineering from 1985-1993,
he contributed to many recent bitumen and heavy-oil projects in Alberta
and Saskatchewan, including the Alberta government's Underground Test
Facility in the Athabasca oil sands.
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 1997
TIME: Attitude Adjustment 6:00 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Speaker 7:15 P.m.
PRICE: $20.00
RESERVATIONS: On or before April 14 to Ed Mayer's answering
machine (562) 624-3377
PLACE: Long Beach Petroleum Club
3636 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, California
TOPIC: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL LIFT
MODERATOR: Fred Crosby, Crosby Consultants
PANEL: Pat Jackson, Oil Dynamics, Inc.
New high temperatures, ESP
John Peters, Pacific PC Pumps
Recent progressive cavity pump
applications and equipment Improvements.
John Svinos, Theta Enterprises, Inc.
Rod pumping optimization.
Artifical lift is a basic petroleum production fact of life in the LA
Basin. Despite its long histroy, improvements are being made. Our three
speakers will bring us up to date on some recent advances. Ample discussion
time is planned.
The Los Angeles Basin Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers
is pleased to announce that one $1,000 scholarship is available for Spring
1997 to a high school senior. This scholarship is available to students
of our section members as a show of our support to them and our local
oil industry. Children of our membership are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be evaluated on their scholastic achievements, citizenship,
and school and community volunteer work. Preference will be given to
students who are looking toward a petroleum engineering career. The
Scholarship Application is included in this Newsletter. If you require
additional information, please contact Bruce Hesson at (562) 590-5311.
Applications must be completed by May 2 and should include at least two
(2) letters of recommendation along with a copy of the student's most
recent transcript. Depending on the number of candidates, an interview
may be conducted mid-May.
Bruce Hesson
Scholarship Chairman
25 March
Horizontal Well Drilling Program
CalResources Drilling and ProductionStudy Group, Bakersfield
14-16 April
SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference
Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
15-16 April
SPE/UKOOA European Environmental Conference
Aberdeen, UK
17 April
Horizontal Wells & Heavy Oil, Neil Edmunds
Bakersfield Monthly Meeting
23 April
API Community Energy Night
Red Lion Inn, Bakersfield
5-8 May
Offshore Technology Conference
Houston, Texas
11-18 May
SPE Forum Series in Asia Pacific
Nusa Dua, Indonesia
14-16 May
Anuula Meeting, Pacific Section of the AAPG
Bakersfield, CA
18-21 May
SPE Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting
Casper, Wyoming
25-27 June
SPE Western Regional Meeting
Long Beach, CA
15-16 August
SPE Applied Technology Workshop
Houston, Texas
Call SPE Richardson, for details @ (800) 456-6863