Producing Operations of the Future

Abstract

As with all projections, there is only one certainty attached to this one involving petroleum production: it is not precisely correct. Twenty years from now we will be producing in geographical areas and physical environments not yet conceivable; and we will be using techniques still to be devised. Preface Someone wise in the ways of men has observed that the future belongs to those who prepare for it. For those of us who are engaged in the producing operations of today, and who will be involved in those of tomorrow, for what should we now prepare? People - and what people want out of life - is what our business and our profession is all about. What will people want and where will we fit in the scheme of things to satisfy that want as the years pass? People throughout the world have an insatiable pass? People throughout the world have an insatiable appetite for energy. Man has found, to his satisfaction, that as he harnesses inanimate forms of energy he can make his life more enjoyable and more bountiful. His appetite for more energy is growing in this country, and it is growing at fantastic rates throughout the world. Our industry has a good commodity that will continue to be offered at prices appealing to the general public. Other industries are in the energy market: coal, water-power and a couple of newer entries -nuclear and solar energy. I am convinced that no single one of these will be able to satisfy the entire demand for more energy by a growing consuming public. All will be taxed into extraordinary public. All will be taxed into extraordinary performance to satisfy the public's cry for a more performance to satisfy the public's cry for a more enjoyable and rewarding existence through energy, and each of the competitors will be called upon to do this in ways that will not offend the sensuous enjoyment of living for the peoples of this generation and the generations to follow. With these general expectations to guide the course of planning and preparation for the future, we can turn our attention to changes in the petroleum production arena necessary not merely to supply more production arena necessary not merely to supply more energy, but to do it at an accelerated pace and at competitive costs. The continuous flow of petroleum energy to the public, commensurate with the rising demand, will public, commensurate with the rising demand, will require that our production know-how change and that we master three broad types of operations of comparatively new character. One category will include newly challenging and hostile physical environments such as polar regions, deeper sea locations with more severe conditions, areas geographically remote from Markets, and deeper onshore reservoirs. As a second category, it is now foreseeable that production operations will change as improved recovery methods are increasingly applied. Beyond these, a third category, previously recognized but thus far mainly latent, will involve the tar sands, shale oil and conversion of coal into more usable energy forms. Even these sources of supply are expected to be drawn into the market and, within the time span of interest to us, will require a mastery of production. production. JPT P. 27