Computer, big generators boost Kern River oil

There are more than 4,500 oil wells in the Kern River field near Bakersfield, Calif., including more than 2300 on properties belonging to Getty Oil Co. For better control on each well, Getty Oil Co. has installed a computer in a specially-built wing of its Oil Center offices at Kern River. Every 7-1/2 min, the computer--when fully operational--will monitor each of the more than 2300 wells involved in the company's Kern River steam program, checking to see if the well is producing. If the well is not, and the situation continues for a period of 4 hr, or any other predetermined time, the computer will give an alarm, either on a visual display screen similar to a television screen or on a printed ticket, enabling the operator to schedule appropriate action. Along with the new computer, Getty Oil is installing 6 huge steam generators to further spur oil production at Kern River. These are 50 million Btu-per-hr generators, double the size of the largest generators previously used by the company in California.