Summary Recent developments in hand-held computer technology have made feasible the direct daily transfer of field data to a common, easily accessible data base. This low-cost improvement of field-data-reporting procedures benefits field operators, clerical workers, engineering staff, and management by making information available quickly while substantially reducing paperwork. Introduction Mitchell Energy Corp. (MEC) implemented a field-data-gathering system in which field personnel enter information into a hand-held computer. Information on 2,350 wells, 134 compressors, and several production facilities previously recorded by hand is collected with a hand-held computer. This information is transferred to a personal computer (PC) and then to the main computer. The main computer manipulates these data to generate daily, weekly, and monthly production reports used throughout the corporation. Daily field reports are received earlier and contain more information than the hand-written reports they replaced. When possible, existing PC's, modems, and communications software available within the company were used. This project was implemented at a capital cost of less than $15,000. System Concept Project designers sought a method to enter data into the company's computer system at the first possible entry level: the field. It was desired to use a computer in the field that would be compatible with the existing computer system. Field management defined the necessary features of the proposed computer. The field computer should be compact and small enough to carry in one hand, leaving the other hand free to enter data. It should be durable enough to withstand the rough conditions of a field environment, and should have enough memory to store all the daily information normally recorded by a lease operator for every well on his route. The unit should be able to store up to 5 days of data for each well to accommodate holiday weekends. Continuous memory would be necessary to maintain the information stored even when the computer was turned off. For communications purposes, the computer would have to be able to store data in American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) files and interface with standard data-communications hardware already in use by the company. Keeping cost minimal was desirable, so an "off-the-shelf" computer for which software could be developed in house was preferred. Pilot Project A hand-held computer satisfying the outlined criteria was found for which field-data-gathering software was developed. A pilot project was initiated involving three lease operators, each using his own hand-held computer to gather data on 42 tertiary recovery wells, 12 primary wells, and a production facility. A 4-month pilot period was successfully completed. Results were such that expansion of the hand-held-computer data-gathering system to the entire North Texas Region was authorized.