The concept of the rod pump can be traced back to the Roman Empire. Roman engineers used something that looks amazingly like today’s version to pump water. But other common oilfield lift strategies would not look familiar to Pliny the Elder, who recorded those Roman ideas for posterity. Electric submersible pumps and various gas lift […]
Props to our Industry!
The idea of “props,” as expressed in the headline, is not a reference to proppant—something much utilized in our industry—though proppant is indeed necessary and could even qualify as something “current,” No, the reference here is to the indomitable spirit of our industry—a spirit that deserve props, or accolades. For a wide span of years […]
Ever Adapting Service
To adapt an old saying for today’s oilfield service sector, “The more things change—the more things keep changing.” From recognizing a customer need as the gateway to a new service—as one company did—to creating an in-house welding school to train their own workforce—as another did—these are the creative ideas Permian Basin oilfield services companies are […]
Voting: Now is the Time
It is indeed nice to write for this publication, in the sense of being able to have literary freedom in terms of discussing safety. While the government continues in its overreach to control everything, safety included, we still fortunately have freedom of speech. Our freedom of speech can be seen as a parallel to the […]
Too Much, Too Fast?
“Go to the ant,” suggested King Solomon, because even without a company man, the ant “stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Retired veteran oilman Mike Shellman admits that he is a contrarian when it comes to how fast and hard to push production from new wells. And he avoids shale […]
Shifting Sand
As prevalent as a PropX box. While that line, above, is not a commonplace figure of speech in the Basin, it might as well be. The PropX box is everywhere. That’s because sand is everywhere—or at least it is going everywhere. And usually on the road that you are driving on. When God put the […]
R-e-s-p-e-c-t
Let’s launch into our subject by posing a question: How is today’s workforce different from that of any other generation in our industry? Back in the day, you just did exactly as you were told, without deviation. Whether you were a person new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, you understood that no explanation […]
Oilfield Theft: It Takes a Thief
It seems like only a month since I’ve seen you last! Over the last 20 years the crime rate of theft, solely in the Permian Basin area, has grown to epic proportions. Sadly, not all companies report all theft. Also sadly, some companies, large and small, are not aware of all theft. Oilfield theft may […]
Onward and Upward
Artificial Lift in the 21st Century is a technological marvel. Three experts discuss the latest breakthroughs. As electric submersible pumps (ESPs) and various assortments of gas/plunger lift designs continue to benefit from automation and other technology, one might be tempted to think the iconic rod pump is being left behind. And while remotely controlling a […]
Fishing with Worms
This year promises to be laden with new developments in the oil and gas industry! Here’s one definition of “new developments”: incidents of the big fish (larger companies) eating the little fish (independents), figuratively speaking. One thing that has not changed is fishing with worms. Please stay with me and I’ll explain. When I broke […]
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