> History
of Lufkin Industries
> History
of Delta-X Corpoaration - Acquired by Lufkin Automation
> History
of Nabla - Acquired by Lufkin Automation
History
of Delta-X Corporation
In 1972,
the Company introduced its first product for pump off control in oil
production. The device detected when a beam pumping system has pumped
all the fluid out of the well bore and shuts down the pumping unit for
a specified period of time. Once fluid had refilled the well bore the
controller automatically restarted the pumping unit.
In 1974,
the acoustic well sounder was added to the product line as a result of
the product acquisition from Lynes, Inc., a subsidiary of Baker Oil
Tool.
In 1975,
Delta-X introduced the first portable electronic dynamometer, the
DXD-01. This product replaced older mechanical dynamometers. Rapid
market acceptance of the DXD-01 made it the industry standard.
In 1975,
Delta-X began offering a well analysis service. The service combined
the use of its products and field service organization to analyze
beam-pumping systems to determine performance and condition of the
well. Acquisition and development of computer software tools helped
grow and expand the well analysis services.
In 1981,
the company began marketing its well analysis software tools. The
market for these tools grew and expanded further into development of
multi-phase flow analysis software.
In 1983,
Delta-X introduced a new microprocessor based pump off controller, the
DXI-40A. With its patented single setpoint control, operators had
greater flexibility in defining the pump off state. Additionally, it
offered remote monitoring and control of the well by radio or hardwire
communications. A host computer system could now monitor the
operations of the pumping system continuously.
The flexibility of
the DXI-40A provided the capability to monitor many oilfield
activities including flow rates, temperatures, pressures, compressors,
injection pumps, tank levels, and more. With minor firmware changes,
the unit was suitable for different oilfield applications.
In 1989,
the System 60 pump off controller was introduced. With enhanced
features of its predecessors and a graphics display and keypad, the
System 60 quickly became the company’s flagship product. Operators
could view quantitative dynagraphs and other important well
information at the well site.
In 1990,
Delta-X acquired substantially all the assets of End Devices, Inc.
(EDI), an oil and gas field automation company headquartered in
Midland, Texas. EDI was a valuable strategic acquisition, providing
additional product line and access to several large oil-producing
customers.
In
1991, the company introduced a new dynamometer system, the
DDI-01. The system provided the same capabilities of an earlier
product, DXDC-2000. Instead of a built-in computer, the DDI-01
provided an interface to laptop computers, making use of customer
equipment.
In 1996,
Delta-X and Schlumberger formed a strategic alliance to provide
wellhead automation and analysis systems "engineered for active
management". The alliance provides a total system solution for
wellhead surveillance, analysis and production optimization called
Well Watcher. Well Watcher systems are offered as a purchase or a
monthly service, unique to the industry.
Effective
February 11, 1997, Delta-X was acquired by Bowridge Resources
Group of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Bowridge owns and operates oilfield
service businesses in Canada that provide high pressure gas production
testing and through Delta-X, provides oilfield automation, SCADA
software, and production optimization technology to the oil industry.
Effective
December 17, 1998, Delta-X was purchased from Bowridge
Resources Group by Lufkin
Industries of Lufkin, Texas. With the prior acquition of
Nabla Corporation in Midland, Texas, Lufkin formed an automation group
which is a part of their oilfield division.
Today,
Lufkin Automation brings these industry leaders of artificial lift
design, analysis and control together. With a combined 60 years
of knowledge we are recognized world wide as leaders in well analysis
and optimization. With the strength of Lufkin Industries,
our automation group looks forward to serving the oil industry in
order to reduce lift cost and increase customer profits.
History
of Nabla Corporation
Nabla
Corporation was founded in 1971 as a petroleum technical services
firm. Originally specializing in on-site well analysis, it
diversified into technical training, well analysis software licensing,
consulting, and manufacturing of specialized products such as pump-off
controls, rod pump dynamometers, and fluid level instruments.
In 1971,
Incorporated as a technical services firm. Began performing on-site
analysis of rod pumping wells using mini-computers mounted in trucks.
Licensed by Shell to use downhole diagnostic method. Broadened
analytical method to include computation of pump intake pressure,
surface unit loading, prime mover loading and rod loading.
Incorporated industry methods for estimating productive capacity of
wells.
Developed and
began to commercialize a diagnostic method for subsurface hydraulic
pumping systems.
In 1972, Began to
commercialize a design method for subsurface hydraulic pumping
systems.
In 1973, Began to
commercialize a special method for performing inertia torque analyses
on rod pumped wells equipped with ultra high slip motors.
In 1975, Presented
NABLA’s first rod pumping school (for Shell in Ventura, California).
In
1976, Began offering a design
service for rod pumping installations using waveequation solution. One
of our first clients was Joslyn Supply who was the first company to
build fiberglass sucker rods.
Presented
the first Pumping School in NABLA facilities. Joe Chastain was the
first student to enroll.
Presented
our first school on subsurface hydraulic system technology.
In 1977, Moved into
NABLA owned facilities in the Midland Industrial Park.
In
1978, Began commercializing a
diagnostic method for submersible electric pumping systems.
Initiated
a design service for submersible electric pumping systems.
In 1980, Began
offering well analysis programs on the G.E. Timersharing network.
Developed
micro-computer programs for communicating dynamometer data to the G.E.
computer via telephone.
In
1982, Moved into the second NABLA owned building in Midland Industrial
Park which provided larger classroom facilities and manufacturing
space.
Began
to sell a pump-of control based on a new concept (motor output power
derived from motor speed).
Opened
a NABLA office in Bakersfield, California.
In
1984, Began commercializing a computerized dynamometer.
In 1985, Began
licensing well analysis and design programs for application in
customer-owned computers.
Began
offering an on-site electrical power analysis for rod pumped wells.
Opened
a NABLA office in Casper, Wyoming.
Added
radio communication option to pump-off control.
In
1987, Added automatic counterbalancing for air-balanced units to
pump-off control hardware.
In
1988, Completed manufacturing facilities for well monitors (pump-off
controllers) and dynamometers.
