Closing the Loop: Production Data Management by PC's in the Field

This paper reports that accounting and engineering groups have long commanded a high level of expertise in the ability to manipulate oil well production data for the calculation of well performance trends, reserve estimations, and lease-hold accounting. Unfortunately, the data crucial to the accuracy of this work are often affected negatively by human error in the calculation of production volumes, the time available in performing paperwork-oriented tasks, and the timeliness with which computed data are made available to these groups. To correct this situation, the authors have developed a PC-based Production Acquisition Allocation and Reporting System (PAARS) for field and office personnel. With this system, all data entry and allocations are still assembled in the field, but all calculations are done by the PC. Additional tracked data include personnel costs and activities, regulatory compliance information, and marketing data. Whenever desired, data are transmitted to a central PC or mainframe data base, where they become immediately available for use by accounting, engineering, marketing, and management personnel. At the Offshore Div., for example, the office staff has current production and well test data available off the PC network, for every operated well, when they arrive at work in the morning.