Methods of Making Petroleum Engineers Aware of New Technology

Abstract

Abstract At the present accelerated rate of change in petroleum technology, engineers must keep up with and utilize newly-developed improved techniques. Significant contributions to petroleum engineering technology are appearing today in journals and patents of at least 20 countries. In addition, many articles published in the literature of basic science, mathematics and other engineering disciplines are analogous and pertinent to petroleum engineering. One way of coping with this large volume of information is to have qualified engineers review and evaluate each item and prepare summaries of those considered significant for distribution to other engineers. Another problem is to label such items so they can be found readily at a later date. The classification, alphabetical indexing and concept coordination systems have been used for this purpose. The latter, which has received wide acceptance, is simplified by the use of a standardized vocabulary of petroleum engineering terms and concepts. Each engineer must study, learn and use this technology to improve his performance and output. This is his responsibility to himself, his profession and his employer. Supplying engineers with such tools for current awareness and information retrieval is only the first step. Introduction Rate of Change in Petroleum TechnologyMost petroleum technology has developed during the past 25 years; in fact, over half within the past 10 years. The accelerated rate of change can be gauged by reviewing a few technological trends. Computers were introduced in the middle fifties and now, 10 years later, little is done without their assistance. This in turn has increased the use of the analytical or mathematical approach in petroleum engineering. In the United States the petroleum industry has moved offshore in its search for new reserves. This has introduced a host of new problems related to drilling, completing, servicing and producing wells in water depths exceeding 100 ft. New problems have evolved in gathering and transporting the produced hydrocarbons to shore. Robots have been introduced to replace divers for work in deep water on the ocean floor. Concentration of oil and gas reserves has shifted from the U. S. to the Middle East and North Africa. Recent slowing down in the growth rate of domestic oil demand, coupled with a brisk demand for oil and gas abroad, has resulted in internationalization of the domestic oil industry. Also, the oil industry must take into account potential competition for the energy market from nuclear energy, fuel cells and solar energy. Oil and gas can soon expect competition from hydrocarbons that were unable to compete in the past: shale oils, tar sands and viscous oils. Since new reserves have become so difficult and expensive to find in the U. S., the oil industry has shifted its attention to unexplored areas of the world and to new recovery methods for some 200 billion bbl of domestic reserves that cannot be produced by conventional techniques. These newer developments have included miscible displacement, carbon dioxide flooding, alcohol slug flooding, in situ combustion and steam injection. Why Engineers Must Keep LearningTo retain an active role in today's vigorous and dynamic petroleum industry, engineers must constantly keep learning. There is now more opportunity and challenge for technically trained personnel than ever before. Yet, due to the ever-changing technology, no engineer (BS, MS or PhD) can expect to be trained adequately for solving even a fraction of the problems he will encounter. University study gives him the necessary fundamental training for later supplemental learning in industry as specific problems arise and must be solved. In school, the engineer learns how to think, and how to improve his knowledge through self-effort. But most important is the individual's willingness to devote personal time, energy and perseverance to this important task. Professional societies and industry's management group can play an important role in the engineer's continuous training. First, these groups should motivate engineers toward continuous learning. Secondly, they can assist by placing in the engineer's hands the necessary tools, material and information for effectively pursuing new knowledge. It is the object of this paper to discuss information dissemination techniques for accomplishing this task. JPT P. 569ˆ