John W. Ely
Education and Professional Affiliations
B.Sc. Chemistry, Oklahoma State University
SPE, ACS, AICH, ASQC
Work History
John Wright Company: Consultant for Kill Equipment and Speciality Polymer 1993 - present. Mr. Ely specializes in blowout hydraulics, particularly kill pumping equipment, fracture mechanics, well completion, cementing, fluids, and serves a unique role in the industry as a developer of patented polymer technology for control of blowouts in dynamic kill operations. His extensive publications, research and 25 years experience brings clients a level headed expert in equipment and fluids design, optimization techniques and site supervision.
Mr. Ely's background in blowout intervention pumping operations began with history-making kill operations in the Middle East and Indonesia, where he also developed methodology to aid optimization of relief well procedures once the well bore intercept is achieved. A Blowout Advisor with a unique knowledge of cementing, rheology, hydraulics, equipment, directional issues, polymers and mud with personnel management experience from kill operations around the world. Mr. Ely is President of his own company, Ely & Associates, specializing in hydraulic fracture treatments.
Ely & Associates: President 1991 - present. Started in 1991 to provide a blend of practical and technical expertise on well completion, stimulation fluids, equipment, and reservoir analysis. Services provided with respect to stimulation, formation evaluation, well performance analysis, multi-phase multi-dimensional reservoir analysis, completion and workover consulting, including deep gas wells and coalbed methane, and several short-courses in hydraulic fracture treatment.
S A Holditch & Associates: Vice President of Stimulation Technology 1985-1991. Assisted in well kill operations, including West Cameron; developed in-situ polymers for optimization of well kill operations, perfected special tools (downhole jetting tool) for special penetration. Provided technical expertise on fracturing and acidizing fluids. Supervised hundreds of stimulation treatments domestic and abroad and involved in research on fracturing fluids under the auspices of the Gas Research Institute.
Nowsco: Engineering Manager 1980-1985. Responsible for all phases of engineering , research and development and formulation of a chemical product line. Involved in various kill operations including consulting for Red Adair on chemicals for fire extinguishment - one of several incidents where John's extensive knowledge of chemistry was utilized for fire control. Included were several coal mine fires where cross-linked foam was used to seal off shafts and special plastics were used to seal the surface. John boasts a strong knowledge of pump and blending equipment horsepower, rig-up, high-pressure iron, and booster pumps.
Halliburton Services: Technical Advisor, International Operations 1977-1980. Coordinated all phases of research with international field operations. Pumping Operations Supervisor at the Arun Field 1978 and 1980 during first documented use of dynamic kill procedures presented by Mobil Oil. Specialty polymers and loss circulation additives utilized. 1979 and 1980 spent 130 days on Ixtoc offshore well kill operation. John Ely designed the cement slurry, a 9ppg high compression strength, light weight, thixotropic cement for use in final kill of the Ixtoc One.
Technical Advisor, Eastern Hemisphere, 1973-1977. Responsible for operations in 11 Middle Eastern countries. Involved in Conoco offshore blowout near Dubai. Salt cavities in proximity of the flowing well and crater with giant gas bubble significantly complicated application. Conventional well kill pumping operations failed. John developed controlled viscosity polymers to direct the flow of fluids to the blowing well and cross-linked polymers to fill huge salt cavities. Resulted in U.S. Patent #4,133,383. Involved in eight relief well programs for high-pressure gas well blowouts near Agahjari in Iran. Additionally, helped in high-pressure water flow in Gachsaran where special polymers were utilized to control several wells with flow of as much as 300,000 bbls/day.
Senior Chemist 1965-1973. Involved in three separate kill operations in Southern Oklahoma where specialty chemicals were required to kill wild wells. Chemicals provided viable alternative to top kill applications.