DOE funding three projects to test marginal well production techniques

The US Department of Energy Tuesday added three more projects to a high-technology program designed to help small businesses boost marginal well production. Producers can apply for the final two rounds of the program by either Aug. 15 or Dec. 24

Aug. 1, 2001

2 min read

By the OGJ Online Staff

WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 1 -- The US Department of Energy has added three more projects to a high-technology program designed to help small businesses boost marginal well production.

DOE said the 2-year-old program has provided independents in 13 states -- each with less than 50 employees -- the financial backing to test producton methods tjat might otherwise have remain untried.

"Today, small independent businesses account for 50% of domestic petroleum production in the Lower 48 states. Most are facing increasing economic and technical difficulties associated with harder-to-recover resources," DOE said.

The department's Fossil Energy Oil Technology Program provides matching grants of up to $75,000 to companies willing to apply innovative approaches that can lower operating costs and extend the life of marginal fields.

Companies proving successful techniques share the information with other small producers.

DOE said small producers have until Aug. 15 or Dec. 24 to apply for the final two rounds of the current program. The National Petroleum Technology Office, Tulsa, Okla., evaluates applications and manages the projects.

In the latest round, Benson-Montin-Greer Drilling Corp., Farmington, NM, will use new log interpretation methods based on artificial intelligence and neural networks to evaluate oil well recompletion opportunities in the Mesa Verde formation of the San Juan basin.

American Energies Corp., Wichita, will design and implement a low-cost waterflood in the Mississippian formation of West Wellington field, Sumner County, Kan., that demonstrates inexpensive tools to build an integrated reservoir model.

Beard Oil Co., Dewey, Okla., will evaluate if a low-volume submersible pump can lower operating costs in a marginal oil field. Ten of the submersibles will be compared with ten conventional rod pumps.