Petroleum engineering curricula vary widely as to the level
at which the drilling courses is taught. By including the necessary background
material this text may be used in a first course. Similarly, by proper
selection and deletion of chapters it can serve the needs of a more advanced
course. The numerous reference cited form adequate outside reading for course
at any level. It is also hoped that the many charts and example problems will
make the book valuable as a reference for those practicing in these areas.
In my opinion that for the most part petroleum engineers are
best utilized in drilling operations rather than as designers of equipment. Hence,
this text is primarily concerned with operational procedures and not with
detailed descriptions and analysis of equipment. The latter coverage is,
therefore, restricted to a level necessary for formulation and understanding of
the problems. I feel this much is desirable
During the writing of this book it was necessary to ask
permission from numerous organizations and individuals for use of various
materials. It was gratifying to me that in no case was permission denied. In fact,
in most cases much more was offered than was asked for. I have attempted
throughout to acknowledge credit for this aid, and I hope no one has been overlooked. Similarly, I have tried to be scrupulously honest in the numerous
references cited for it is these authors who have written this book. I merely
put it together. I am sure oversights must exist; however, I hope they are few
and excusable
I wish to make several specific acknowledgments. First, I express
my gratitude to the society of petroleum engineering of AIME and to the
American Petroleum Institute, from whose transactions I borrowed heavily.
I also wish to thank the following individuals for their
counsel and assistance at various stages of the writing: John A. Casner, Dick
Cavnar, Gerald L. Farrar, B. E. Groenewold, Robt. E. Hensley, Frank W. Jessen,
G. W. (Sandy) McGaha, Phil C. Montgomery, Edward E. Runyan, Carrol V. Sidwell,
Dwight K. Smith, Gould Whaley, Jr., and the late A. W. Walker.
I am greatly indebted to the following for their corrections
and criticisms of specific chapters: Robert P. Alger, Fred W. Chisholm, Arthur
Lubinski, E. A. Morlan, R. H. Nolley, Robt. L. Slobod, C. Drew Stahl, and Henry
B. Woods. I also express my thanks to Joseph J. Cosgrove, Donald H. Crago,
Kenneth E. Gray for checking numerous derivations and problems
I shall welcome at any time correspondence concerning
errors, suggestions for improvement, or criticisms of the text. Indeed, if I
were to start over, I would change a great many things myself. I am informed,
however, that he who demands perfection never finishes his book. No perfection
exists here for I have finished
Card Gatlin
