Circle Star Energy Corp. of Fort Worth has begun production from its first operated well in Trego County, Kan. The well, dubbed the Lynd 36-1, was drilled to an approximate depth of 4,100 feet. It was recently completed in the Marmaton formation and is producing about 10 barrels of oil a day. “Getting our first operated well on line and producing in Kansas is indeed a milestone for Circle Star Energy and its shareholders,” said CEO Jeff Johnson in a news release. “Management is encouraged with the initial drilling results and we look forward to further developing our Kansas assets,” Johnson said. Circle Star owns a 25 percent working interest and a 20 percent net revenue interest until payout in the well and will convert to a 43.75 percent working interest and a 35 percent net revenue interest after payout. Circle Star Energy Corp., an energy exploration and production company, focuses on large-scale oil and gas plays. More information is available at www.circlestarenergy.com.
RCW Energy launches cloud-based frac water management system RCW Energy Services of Carrollton has announced H2OmniView, which is described as the world’s most advanced water-transfer management system for hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield operations. The company has signed an exclusive, long-term license agreement with Anelto LLC to provide a user-friendly, cloud-based platform for the proprietary system, which enables frac operation managers to track all aspects of the water-transfer process, from the water source to the wellhead, using any Internet-connected device. “Water is a precious resource, especially with the prolonged drought conditions we’ve experienced over the last few years,” said RCW President Glenn Young, commenting in a news release. According to Young, the system helps conserve water and allows customers to keep tabs on projects through a real-time interface that continuously monitors water flow, pressure and volumes, detects leaks and other anomalies, and provides alert notifications, among other features. “Fracking has opened the door to American energy independence, and water is essential to the process,” Young said. Water-transfer operations involve transporting water from local sources through temporary pipelines to a frac site, where it mixes with chemicals, sand or other materials and is forced underground to crack and then prop open fissures in tight-rock formations, allowing oil and gas to flow more easily to the wellbore. RCW Energy Services provides water-transfer services to the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Based in Carrollton, the company also has offices in Kilgore, Madisonville, Midland and Pleasanton. More information is available at www.rcwenergyservices.com.
Varel International restructures for accelerated growth Varel International Energy Services of Carrollton has implemented a new corporate structure with three operating divisions. The new divisions are Varel International Oil and Gas Drill Bits, Varel International Mining and Industrial, and Downhole Products. Varel President and CEO Jim Nixon described the company’s new alignment as a significant step toward future growth opportunities. “Over the last 14 years, we’ve grown from a small, U.S.-focused mining drill bits company to an international oil and gas and mining and industrial business with multiple product lines,” Nixon said in a news release. In that time, the company has grown by 20 percent per year, Nixon said. “This new organization will assist in maintaining a laser focus on accelerated growth through customer service, product innovation and manufacturing excellence,” Nixon said. Joining the Varel International team as president of Varel International Oil and Gas Drill Bits is Mike Reeves. A degreed civil engineer, Reeves has almost 20 years of experience in the oilfield service and manufactured product sector. Named president of the company’s Mining and Industrial Division is Speed Collingsworth, who previously was vice president of the company’s mining division. Collingsworth has more than 25 years of industry experience. Continuing to head the company’s Downhole Products division as president-managing director is Ian Kirk, who joined the firm in 2007. As a mechanical engineer, Kirk was a co-founder of Downhole Products and has more than 100 international downhole technology patents to his name. Varel International supplies earth boring drill bits to oil and gas, mining and industrial markets. More information is available at www.varelintl.com.
Exxon reports industry-leading safety at Houston campus construction site Irving-based Exxon Mobil Corp.’s Houston campus project has achieved more than 7 million work hours with no injuries requiring employees or contractors to miss work, the company has reported. Construction began in 2011 and is expected to finish in 2015. “This milestone is the result of work by a team that is highly focused and pays attention to personal and team safety,” said Mark Tressler, execution manager for the Exxon Mobil campus project team, commenting in a news release. “We want everyone on the site to work safe so that they can go home safe.” Serving jointly as general contractor for the project are Gilbane Building Co. and Harvey Builders. The Houston campus is one of the nation’s largest commercial construction projects. About 3,000 workers are on site daily, with the injury incidence rate about one-sixth of the industry average for commercial construction projects, according to the company. The campus occupies a 385-acre wooded site on company property near the Interstate 45-Hardy Toll Road intersection. Up to 10,000 employees are expected to work there. They will move to the campus in phases as the buildings are constructed, beginning in early 2014. The campus is expected to reach full occupancy in 2015. Exxon Mobil Corp., the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, refines and markets petroleum products.
Darden becomes chairman emeritus of Quicksilver Resources Thomas F. (Toby) Darden announced his retirement as chairman of the board and from his officer position at Quicksilver Resources Inc. on May 15 after the company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Darden will remain on the board as a director and chairman emeritus. He will continue as an employee of the company through Dec. 31, 2013, focusing on strategic transactions including the pursuit of a joint venture in the Horn River Basin in British Columbia. “It has been my pleasure to serve with so many outstanding and talented employees from Quicksilver and affiliated companies over the past 38 years,” Darden said in a statement. “Together we have produced billions of dollars of revenues and developed trillions of cubic feet of natural gas reserves. I look forward to continuing as an active director on the board and in my advisory role as the company moves forward in our joint venture efforts in the Horn River Basin.” Replacing Darden as chairman is W. Yandell Rogers III, who was elected at the May 15 board meeting. Rogers has served as an independent director on Quicksilver’s board since March 1999. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Quicksilver Resources is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and gas, primarily from unconventional reservoirs including gas from shales and coal beds in North America. Quicksilver’s Canadian subsidiary, Quicksilver Resources Canada Inc., is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. For more information about Quicksilver Resources, visit www.qrinc.com.
Send energy news to A. Lee Graham at lgraham@bizpress.net