Jack Blann

1926-1909

Career:

Marlin TX,

WWII & Korea

TX A&M,

Exxon &

Consultant…………………………………..The Gas-Lift Man

Jack was an honored WWII and Korean War veteran, decorated with a Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was active in the Army Reserves for many years, retiring with the rank of colonel. After the war, he returned to Texas A&M University, where he had been a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. He received a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1949, he joined Humble Oil Company, eventually transferring to Houston with Exxon Production Research.

A meeting of the gas lift “experts” @ SPE: 1989 Joe Clegg, Herald Winkler & Jack Blann

In early days with Exxon……………. ESP WorkshopGoose-Creek

Lead Reviewer:Jack Blann

Capps-Blann-Clegg-Winkler

Artificial Lift Guys2000

Copyright 2007--SPE

Chapter 12Gas Lift

Herald Winkler &Jack Blann

Happy 60th Wedding AnniversaryLavonne & Jack Blann

60 Years

Best of luck in future years. Joe & Margaret

To a great couple that havemade the world a betterplace to live in.

2006

Jack’s 2008 Christmas Card

Good-byeJack Blann--the gas-liftMan.

References: (Gas Lift Manual)

Redden, J. D., Sherman, T.A.G. , Blann. J.R.:Optimizing Gas Lift Systems, SPE Paper No. 5150, 1974

Blann, J. R., Brown, J.S., Dufresne, L.P.:Improving Gas Lift Performance in a Large North African Oil Field, SPE Paper No. 8408, 1979

Blann, J.R., and Williams, J.D.:Determining the Most Profitable Gas Injection Pressure for Gas Lift Installation,JPT (August 1984)

Blann, J.R., Jacobson, L. and Faber, C.:Production Optimization in the Provincia Field Columbia,SPE PE (Feb 1989) 9-14

Optimizing Gas Lift Systems

Equilibrium Curve

Juch;Neely;Blann

Blann & Winkler

Jack Richard BlannJACK RICHARD BLANN passed away on February 27, 2009. He was born May 28, 1926, in Marlin, Texas. Jack is survived by his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of 62 years, Lavonne Fischer, also of Marlin; children Bette Prochaska, Paul Blann and wife Debbie, and Mary Cooper and husband Randy. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; David Prochaska and wife Sherry, Leslie Prochaska, Bonnie Cooper Denbo and husband John, Ross Cooper, and Drew Prochaska; along with his sister Jane Curry and husband Jim and brother Clint and his wife Hilda. Jack was an honored WWII and Korean War veteran, decorated with a Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was active in the Army Reserves for many years, retiring with the rank of colonel. After the war, he returned to Texas A&M University, where he had been a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. He received a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1949, he joined Humble Oil Company, eventually transferring to Houston with Exxon Production Research. During this time he traveled the world as a consultant and instructor, specializing in artificial lift technology where he holds a patent, and made dear friends worldwide. Jack was awarded many professional honors, including recognition from S.P.E. for Outstanding Leadership. He was recognized by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers for being a P.E. for over 50 years. He was a member of Pioneer Oil Producers and A.P.I., organizing the A.P.I Gas Lift Task Group. He was a past president of the 9th Infantry Division Association and a Diamond Member of the Century Club of A&M. He was proud to receive the Marlin Distinguished Citizen Award and was a longtime member of the Masons. Jack was an active member of Fair Haven United Methodist Church since 1967. He was an avid writer who published his own textbooks, poems, and papers. A Private's Diary, an account of his experience as an 18 year old serving in the 9th Infantry Division during WWII, was written during the war and published in 1997, receiving high praise from all who read it. He will be remembered for his delicious barbeque, candy making, and family Christmas cards. His humility, generosity, integrity, and loving nature enhanced the lives of those he touched and will always be cherished. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Fair Haven United Methodist Church Bell Choirs, the 9th Infantry Division Association, or the Texas A&M University Music Department. Visitation will be held at Adam's Funeral Home in Marlin, Texas on Tuesday, March 3 from 6:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M. Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, March 4 at 1:15 P.M. at Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 5 at 1:00P.M. at Fair Haven United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER JACK AS A GOOD FRIEND AND AS ONE OF THE GREAT ARTIFICIAL LIFT MEN OF THE WORLD. HE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO MANY OF US. WE HAD SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS: BOTH FROM A SMALL TEXAS TOWN AND GREW UP DURING THE 1930’S. BOTH A METHODISTS AND SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN WWII IN THE US INFANTRY. WHEN I CALLED HIM ON THE PHONE I ALWAYS ASKED AT THE START “HOW IS JACK BLANN—THE GAS LIFT MAN.” WE WERE BOTH SPECIALISTS ON ARTIFICIAL LIFT-- JACK MORE ON GAS LIFT AND MYSELF ON SUCKER ROD PUMPING. WHEN I WAS WITH SHELL AND JACK WITH HUMBLE/EXXON, I ARRANGED FOR SHELL OIL COMPANY TO SELL TO EXXON USA A COMPUTER PROGRAM TO CALCULATE MMSM FLOWING VERTICAL FLOWING GRADIENTS. JACK SAID HE NEEDED THEM TO CHECK THE RESULTS THAT SHELL-EXPRO PROVIDED FOR PROJECTS IN THE NORTH SEA. SHELL-EXPRO WAS USING THE MMSM PROGRAM BUT HE WAS NOT SURE THEY WERE USING THEM CORRECTLY. SHELL-EXPRO DID ARRIVE AT SOME UNUSUAL CONCLUSIONS.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, JACK WAS THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE API GAS LIFT EQUIPMENT TASK GROUP. WE WORKED TOGETHER (OVER SOME 25 YEARS) TO COME UP WITH VARIOUS RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND EQUIPMENT STANDARDS FOR GAS LIFT WELLS. JACK WAS ALSO THE LEAD REVIEWER IN REVISING THE API “GAS LIFT MANUAL.” HE WAS VERY PATIENT WITH A BUNCH OF OPINIONED, HARD HEADED OLD GUYS AND A GROUP OF YOUNG IDEALISTIC OIL FIELD HANDS. DESPITE ALL THE DISCUSSION, HE MANAGED TO GET THE PROJECTS FINISHED—USUALLY ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET.

OUR LAST PROJECT WAS THE RECENT PRODUCTION OF VOLUME IV, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS ENGINEER FOR THE SPE PETROLEUM ENGINEERING HANDBOOK. I WAS THE EDITOR AND I TALKED JACK INTO WRITING THE CHAPTER ON GAS LIFT ALONG WITH OUR MUTUAL FRIEND HERALD WINKLER. NEEDLESS-TO-SAY, THERE WERE LOTS OF POINTS OF DISAGREEMENTS BUT THE CHAPTER WAS FINALLY FINISHED --AFTER FIVE YEARS OF WORK. A LITTLE LONG BUT NOTHING MISSED. BESIDES ARGUING AMONG OURSELVES (JACK, WINK AND JOE), WE HAD TO PUT UP WITH THE TECHNICAL EDITORS AND THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.

I ALWAYS ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM AND DISCUSSING THE MANY OILFIELD PRODUCING PROBLEMS. WE HAD SUCH GOOD TIMES TOGETHER AND I USUALLY SAT WITH HIM AT THE POPS MEETING AT THE “EXXON TABLE.” I WILL NOT FORGET HIM. IN ADDITION, HE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN MY MERMORY AS A GOOD GUY WHO KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. IF GOD NEEDS HELP IN PRODUCING OIL WELLS, JACK CAN HELP.

Jack Blann