Our Consultants

Michael R. Berry

Summary of qualifications

Experienced registered petroleum engineer with strong background in electric submersible pumps, progressing cavity pumps, ESP/PCP hybrid technologies, pilot project installations, multiphase flow simulation, and production operations.

Work experience


Petroleum Engineering Consultant – 2007 to 2017
Artificial Lift Solutions, DCL LLC

  • Worldwide support of ESP operations for Apache, ConocoPhillips, GE, EOG, Matador, Perenco, Vintage Petroleum, Santos & Phoenix Exploration. Locations include North America, China, Cameroon, Egypt and Oman.
  • Design and installation support of non-conventional ESP applications research projects for ConocoPhillips. Projects include Through Tubing ESP and Geared Centrifugal Pump.
  • Installation support of de-watering research projects for ConocoPhillips.
  • PetroSkills instructor for ESP, PCP and Artificial Lift Systems courses.

Artificial Lift Advisor – 2012 to 2014
Apache Corp. Houston/Midland, TX

  • Initially world-wide, then Permian focused artificial lift support.
  • Design, bid, & troubleshoot ESP installations. Witness ESP teardowns.
  • Screen for “hidden” problem wells & appropriate lift method.
  • Look for & promote alternative horizontal well lift methods.
  • Internal training courses & occasional PetroSkills ESP and Artificial Lift Systems courses

Application Engineering Manager – 2001 to 2007
Wood Group ESP, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK

  • Worldwide support of WGESP field engineers including extensive international travel to WGESP and customer sites in the Far East, Middle East, Russia and South America.
  • Develop and Conduct Worldwide ESP Design Training Courses including internal ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Kinder Morgan courses.
  • Design, develop and support engineering design software.

Senior Application Engineer – 1999 to 2001
Wood Group ESP, Inc. Oklahoma City, OK

  • Designed and conducted Venezuelan 8000 bpd downhole oil/water separation pilot project.
  • Worldwide support of WGESP Pump, Motor, Seal and Cable Test Benches.

Research Associate – 1994 - 1999
Texaco EPTD Humble Test Facility Humble, TX

  • Designed and supervised construction of 5000 psi / 400 °F test well.
  • Tested downhole flow meters, water cut meters, pressure sensors and temperature sensors from Exal, Phoenix, Centrilift, Reda and ESP Inc.
  • Tested Reda ESP, separators and Advanced Gas Handler in a 90% gas void fraction environment for an Indonesian light oil steamflood.
  • Tested high volume Centrilift ESP pumps in viscous crude/water mixtures for North Sea Captain and Mariner Field development.
  • Served on Venezuela Hamaca heavy oil project artificial lift study team.
  • Reconfigured test well and flow facility for downhole two-stage hydrocyclonic oil/water separation test.
  • Designed and conducted extended high-temp Centrilift ESPCP test for an Indonesian steam flood application.

Senior Research Engineer – 1989 to 1994
Texaco EPTD Multiphase Flow Tech. Bellaire, Texas

  • Performed wellbore and pipeline network fluid flow simulation studies using Simulations Science's PIPEPHASE simulator.
  • Taught PIPEPHASE and nodal analysis courses. Co-authored re-write of Texaco PIPEPHASE Workshop Manual.
  • Designed, developed and supported PC-based equipment failure reporting system.
  • Evaluated and supported commercial well monitoring software.

Research Engineer – 1986 to 1989
Texaco EPTD Reservoir Engineering Houston, Texas

  • Evaluated, customized and supported commercial reservoir simulation software.
  • Performed reservoir modeling, primarily Kern River steam flood project.
  • Designed, developed and supported in-house engineering design software.

Petroleum Engineer – 1985 to 1986
Texaco Engineering Tech. Services Bellaire, Texas

  • Customized and supported commercial nodal analysis software.
  • Developed, designed and supported in-house engineering design software.
  • Assisted development of Texaco's software development guidelines.

Reservoir Engineer – 1985 (6-months)
Texaco Corpus Christi District Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Calculated company and JIO reserve estimates.
  • Completed regulatory agency permits.

Production Engineer – 1982 to 1985
Getty Oil Company Houston District Houston, Texas

  • Calculated new well and JIO property reserve estimates. Projected JIO property production and expenses. Performed economic evaluations.
  • Reviewed new well and field office re-completion proposals.
  • Designed and developed engineering design software.

Operations Engineer – 1979 to 1982
Getty Oil Company Victoria Area Victoria, Texas

  • Recommended, designed and supervised well re-completions and workovers.
  • Projected lease production and expenses. Estimated reserves and NPV.
  • Designed drilling bit, casing, cement and mud programs. Estimated drilling costs.
  • Supervised drilling and workover operations.

Education

BS Petroleum Engineering – 1975 to 1979
The University of Oklahoma Norman, Okla

  • Tau Beta Pi and Pi Epsilon Tau Engineering Honorary Societies.
  • Attended over 40 post degree industry training courses.