Page 5 - Geochemistry of Oil Field Waters

PREFACE

The purpose of this book is to provide information relevant to the analyt-
ical chemistry and geochemistry of oilfield waters. The book attempts to
recognize the importance of subsurface oilfield waters as they are related to
origin, migration, accumulation, and maturation of oil and gas and thus their
relationship to exploration for and production of oil and gas. One chapter
presents a simplistic introduction to the origin of oilfield waters. Because oil-
field waters can constitute an environmental pollution hazard, the book de-
scribes and comments on methods of their disposal or of recovering valuable
constituents from them.
The numerous references indicate that the book relies heavily upon the
work of others. The reader will vastly expand his knowledge of the subject
by consulting these references.
The writer appreciates the understanding and thoughtfulness of his Wife,
Barbara, and children, Sandy and Mike, during the preparation of part of this
book at our home. He acknowledges With appreciation the criticisms, opin-
ions, and suggestions of various portions of the book by O.C. Baptist, W.H.
Caraway, P.H. Dickey, G.L. Gates, R.V. Huff, P.H. Jones, and C.C. Linville.
M.E. Crocker and Ms. C.A. Pearson, did an invaluable service of proof-reading
and index preparation. He extends appreciation to Ms. D.J. Forbes, Ms. M.G.
Goff, and Ms. J. Haimson for typing the manuscript; to D.W. Anderson, Ms.
E.S. Baldwin, J.A. Chidester, G.E. Fletcher, R.M. Horn, and W.A. McClung
for preparing the figures; and to authors, book publishers, companies, and
technical journals who granted permission to use various illustrations.
Permission to publish this manuscript was granted by the Director of the
United States Bureau of Mines. Bureau of Mines officials who generously
helped obtain this permission were: J.S. Ball, R.T. Johansen, and J.W. Watkins.
Finally inasmuch as it is the writer’s belief that this book is not perfect, he
takes this opportunity to solicit constructive criticism from its readers.

A. GENE COLLINS
Bartlesville Energy Research Center
U.S. Bureau of Mines
Bartlesville, Oklahoma