Operators also should evaluate their pumper s routines to determine if wells must be pumped every day and to optimize driving time. Reducing Electrical Power Costs. Utility bills consist of a basic energy charge, a demand charge, and, at times, a power-factor charge. Power factor, the ratio of the real power needed to get the job done to the total power supplied, is another consideration. Equinox Oil Company used timers to reduce power costs in the South Albion Field in Illinois.
Operators also can contract with vendors for on-lease power generation.
Water Handling Costs. For some operations, downhole oil-water separation with subsurface injection in a disposal zone may be appropriate. The equipment, which can be used in either sandstone or carbonate zones, uses gravity or hydrocyclone separation technology. This can only be used where wells have a disposal zone with adequate injectivity. Even then, operators often encounter problems maintaining injectivity.