Surface (SX) Tools Brochure

This brochure covers the line of patented Vortex surface (SX) tools for use in flowlines, gathering systems and pipelines. Whether it’s the two-part paraffin mitigation (SX-P) tool, the in-line (SX-I) tool or the pig launcher (SX-PL) tool, Vortex has a tool solution for your surface needs. PDF

Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Recovery Brochure
Since the publication of the general surface tools brochure, several new applications for the SX tools have been discovered, including reducing flowback start-up times on new gas wells, replacing vapor recovery units at the wellhead, and replacing drip systems in flowlines (reducing the need for pigging). This NGL Recovery Brochure describes how the Vortex SX tools are able to recover up to 10 times more NGLs than with pigging or drips, all with a ROI of less than 60 days (based on 15-months worth of customer experience). PDF

This brochure covers the line of patented Vortex downhole (DX) tools placed in the well. Whether it’s the end-of-tubing (DX-EOT) tool for free-flowing coal-bed methane applications, the inline (DX-I) tool for deeper vertical or horizontal applications or the wireline retrievable (DX-R) tool for intervention, Vortex has a tool for your downhole needs. PDF

With low energy prices, Vortex’s Vapor Buster tool offers lower costs, improved oil production, increased gas to sales, and reduced glycol/chemical use—all with no maintenance at an affordable price. The Vapor Buster allows operators to cost-effectively manage air quality issues (in compliance with regulations) while avoiding fines. Vortex provides a cleaner oil cut (with lower emulsion), increased oil production, reduced gas reported at production tanks, improved/lower RVP, less BS&W trash, minimal gas to flare, and drier gas sent to sales, resulting in lower glycol use. Another customer used this same set up to recover an additional two barrels of oil per day from 2,000 BTU flash gas previously sent to flare. PDF

An independent producer incurred significant pigging costs (due to liquids dropping out at low spots during transport) and believed natural gas liquid (NGL) revenues were not being optimized. After installing Vortex tools, 1.2+ million gallons of additional NGLs were recovered from three gathering lines in a single year, translating to $2+ million in additional revenues. Vortex made additional revenues by knocking out NGLs in the gathering lines, reducing line freeze ups, eliminating free liquids in gas meters, yielding better measurement, lowering maintenance and repairs, reducing free liquids through dehydrators, reducing glycol cost and filter cost (by as much as 80%), and greatly reducing production tank flash emissions. PDF

A major U.S.-based oil and gas independent installed Vortex tools to increase condensate recovery. In installation #1, overall condensate production increased by ~200% and recovery benefits were better at high temperatures, indicating the Vortex system has a stabilizing effect on the condensate. In installation #2, in two months, Vortex recovered nearly 3.5 times more condensate than in the three years previous in one drip (270 barrels with Vortex compared to 82 barrels prior). In both cases, these valuable liquids were then sold to create an additional lucrative revenue stream for the operator without any increase in OpEx. PDF

A New Mexico operator saw oil and gas production improve using the patented Vortex DX-I tools at the end of tubing in declining wells. The Vortex tool was set at end of tubing deep in the lateral and close to the formation (typically set at 80 degrees). In each case, oil production was increased and, in one reported case, the oil production increased from 80 barrels of oil per day to over 400 barrels of oil per day for a period well beyond flush production. The 10-day increased production from this one reported well was 3,200 barrels of oil (or $345,000 in production values). PDF

This Upstream Pumping Magazine article covers the benefit of Vortex downhole tools in deviated wells, gas lift, etc. LINK

This article discusses how Vortex was picked as a semifinalist in the energy efficiency category of the 2012 Cleantech Open for our application in turning harmful CO2 waste from oil and gas wells into recovered high-value energy. PDF

This E&P magazine article covers field experiences with the Vortex tools, including surface line installs where liquids were cleared out, pressures reduced, production throughput increased and pigging eliminated. LINK

This Peak Oil News article covers the Stripper Well Consortium’s sponsorship of the use of Vortex tools on marginal wells. Field experiences with the surface tools include reduced line and bottom hole pressures, increased production and reduced annual costs. LINK

This World Oil article covers the results of testing by the Rocky Mountain Oil Field Testing Center (RMOTC). Testing concluded that the Vortex surface tools mitigate paraffin build-up and prevent freezing in winter. LINK

This World Oil article covers the use of the Vortex velocity string (DX-VS) in coiled tubing applications in Canada. LINK

This brief article covers the application of the Vortex downhole (DX) tools in two-phase flow (gas and liquids) along with citing an example of increased gas production with a Vortex installation in the San Juan basin. PDF

Vortex is covered with a number of other deliquification techniques (see page 9). The article mentions Vortex lowering the critical rate by up to 30%. PDF

“Vortex Flow Technology Finding New Applications” in Rocky Mountain Oil Journal
This article covers Vortex’s downhole testing with Texas A&M and in 25 Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent oil and gas wells (see pages 4-5). Results of installations with BP and Marathon Oil are included. PDF

These three articles contain snippets regarding Vortex winning the Platts’ Global Energy Newcomer of the Year Award and working with the Stripper Well Consortium.

1. “Small Operators Meet the Challenges” in the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council newsletter
   – LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE
2. “DOE-backed Consortium Delivers Six New ‘Stripper Well’ Technologies” / “Technologies Hold Promise to Boost Domestic Oil and Gas Production” on the U.S. Department of Energy site
   – LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE
3. “DOE-backed JVs Deliver New Technologies” on Rigzone online LINK

This article was written in response to Vortex Tools winning the 2004 Platts’ Global Energy Newcomer of the Year Award. PDF

This is one of the earliest reports on the benefits of the Vortex surface tools. It includes an example of reduced surface-line pressures in the Appalachian basin. PDF

Another older report that covers comments from operators on the value of the Vortex tools in coalbed methane and stripper well applications. PDF

This promotional video highlights the value of the Vortex surface tools. It gives a visual representation of the stable, spiraling flow set up by Vortex (as compared to standard turbulent flow) and the application of the tool in wellhead and flowline applications. The video also has graphics of an installation and the reduced pressure results of installed surface tools in the field.

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This is a splice of several hours’ worth of real-time video with a camera in the wellbore. It was shot looking down on an oil & gas well equipped with a Vortex downhole wireline retrievable (DX-WR) tool. The video shows the Vortex tool allowing the well to flow below the critical rate as well as bringing up soap and surfactant previously stuck at the bottom of the well (hence how Vortex downhole tools can use up to 50% less surfactant).

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This is a live trade show demonstration of the stable, helical flow set up by the Vortex tools. Blue dye was added to make the helical benefits more visible.

Demo Videos

This is a demo of the Vortex tool with a jet pump. This combination of patented technologies shows the ability to separate oil and water. This flow is especially beneficial for oil spill cleanup (such as with the 2010 BP Gulf oil spill) and the jet pump can also be used to re-oxygenate the ocean water after cleanup.

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