Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmitting data in a wireless oil field environment, the method comprising sensing a signal change rate for an input signal from an oil field apparatus; selecting a real time transmission mode when the signal change rate is less than a predetermined value; selecting a buffered data transmission mode when the signal change rate is greater than or equal to the predetermined value; and transmitting the data in the selected transmission mode from a wireless oil field environment. A system is disclosed for performing the method.