Increasing Production By The Practical Application Of Dynamometer And Fluid Level Principles
Authors: Swain H.W. 
Published: December 2007

Swain, H.W., Member AIME, Continental Oil Co., Fort Worth, Tex.

Publication Rights Reserved

This paper is to be presented at the Mechanical Engineering Aspects of Drilling Production Symposium in Fort Worth, Tex., on March 23–24, 1964, and is considered the property of Society of Petroleum Engineers. Permission to publish is hereby restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words, with no illustrations, unless the paper is specifically released to the press by the Editor of the Journal of Petroleum Engineers or the Executive Secretary. Such abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is granted on request, providing proper credit is given that publication and the original presentation of the paper.

Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines.

This paper presents an approach used by Continental Oil Co. to increase the production of oil by teaching the principles associated with the use of dynamometer and fluid level instruments. Short courses have been presented to foremen, who are responsible for pimping equipment maintenance, and to test engineers, who obtain and analyze basic data and make recommendations to foremen. The paper discusses the teaching of this technical subject to personnel without technical training.

This training has made test engineers more aware of the proper method of operating dynamometer and fluid level equipment and more knowledgeable in analyzing and solving pumping problems. It has instilled in foremen a high degree of confidence in the data obtained by the use of dynamometer and fluid level instruments.

As a result of the present educational program, a climate of cooperation exists between foremen and test engineers. Foremen now take the initiative in requesting the assistance of test engineers in solving pumping problems. This change has been reflected in increased efficiency and additional revenue.

Introduction

in 1961,, the management of what was then the Southwestern Region of Continental Oil Co. recognized the importance of up-grading the technical and practical knowledge of test engineers, foremen and head roustabouts with respect to the proper use of dynamometer and fluid level sounding equipment in oil producing operations. Two short courses were designed to satisfy this need, one for test engineers and the other for foremen and head roustabouts.

At that time it was found each test engineer and production engineer had his own favorite set of formulae, graphs, tables and pumping unit calculation slide rules. Some of these were incorrect, and others were applicable only to specific areas or situations. It was necessary to devise some means by which the principles could be taught to all personnel concerned with pumping equipment and its operation.

The ideas, training techniques and visual aids presented in this paper represent a combined effort of the instructors who participated in the short courses and not of any one individual.