Q2 Artificial Lift Services — Years of experience coupled with innovative new ideas, solidifying them as industry leaders

One industry where process innovation has a significant impact on both national economies and business bottom lines is the oil and gas sector. The industry has been gradually expanding the options for production. Fossil fuels that were inaccessible a decade or two ago can now be extracted thanks to technological advancement.

Q2 Artificial Lift Services is one of the businesses spearheading technical innovation in the oil and gas industry. Q2 Artificial Lift Services is a top-tier Rod Lift System Solutions enterprise that focuses on downhole reciprocating pump sales, servicing, engineering, and manufacturing.

Recently, the CIO Bulletin sat down with Colin Heidel, the V.P. of Sales & Marketing, and Corbin Coyes, the V.P. of Engineering of Q2 Artificial Lift Services. The following are excerpts from the conversation that ensued.

Q. What is the story of Q2 Artificial Lift Services? How has the company grown over the years since its inception?

Corbin Coyes: Q2 re-entered the downhole rod pump industry in January 2017. Since then, our company has grown significantly, expanding to 44 stores across North America. We faced the challenge of starting from scratch in the downhole rod pump sector, assembling a team of experts, acquiring new CNC and Honing machines, constructing three large facilities, and producing thousands of engineered drawings within a tight deadline.

Doug Quinn's ambition to become the leader in artificial lift began with dedication during a period of market softness. Having Colin Heidel, our V.P. of Sales & Marketing, by Doug’s side for close to 30 years has instilled confidence in our clients, assuring them of our commitment to providing the best technology for servicing their wells. Now, 7 years later, Q2 stands as the largest private artificial lift company, serving clients in every oilfield worldwide.

Q. What events led to Q2 Artificial Lift Services specializing in downhole reciprocating pumps?

Corbin Coyes: Our company, originally called Quinn Pumps, was founded in 1965 by Jim Quinn. His visionary outlook and market understanding laid the foundation for our growth. Under his leadership, the company expanded to eight locations in Canada. In 1995, Doug Quinn, Jim Quinn's son, took charge and expanded our presence into the United States, establishing over 50 facilities.

In 2011, Quinn Pumps was acquired by Lufkin. However, in January 2017, we re-emerged as Q2. This strategic shift allowed us to refocus on downhole rod pumps, leveraging the expertise of our experienced team. Recognizing the market demand in the artificial lift marketplace, our goal is to establish an extensive sales and service distribution network, supported by an innovative engineering group and renowned in-house manufacturing capabilities. We strive to deliver top-notch quality and unparalleled service to energy companies worldwide.

Q. What are some of the most important ways Q2 Artificial Lift Services has contributed to innovation within the downhole rod pump space and the natural gas and petroleum industry as a whole?

Colin Heidel: Q2 leads the industry with innovative technology and patented components like the Q2-Flow cage, Sand Twister, and Whaleshark Gas separation systems. These advancements redefine what's possible. Under Corbin’s leadership Q2 has launched a groundbreaking program that encourages collaboration with both internal and external individuals, including smaller companies. Their contributions have greatly improved productivity in pumping wells. At Q2, we're dedicated to pushing limits, striving for technology excellence, and driving industry innovation.

Q. With the world turning towards green, sustainable, and renewable sources of energy, what is Q2 Artificial Lift Services doing to ensure the company is not left behind?

Colin Heidel: We take pride in introducing efficient pump solutions that reduce emissions, minimize field failures, and enhance oil and gas production. At the core of each pump is the TangentFlow valve, provided by Q2 to every client. This valve achieves a remarkable 20% emission reduction and a corresponding 20% increase in oil flow. With hundreds of thousands of these valves operating downhole for extended periods, Q2 has made a significant impact on emission reduction. These pumps also boast a doubled lifespan, resulting in substantial energy savings by eliminating the need to extract failed pumps from oil wells worldwide.

Q. Q2 Artificial Lift Services states that its vision is to become the worldwide supplier of choice for downhole rod pumps. What have been the steps taken by the company to ensure its vision turns into a reality?

Corbin Coyes: Q2 has a clear vision of becoming a leader in artificial lift within a remarkably short span of just 7 years, aiming to be among the top three globally. The key to achieving this lies in our unwavering focus on growth and reinvestment, coupled with the advantage of a small, experienced decision-making team that enables us to swiftly respond to emerging technologies and innovations. Colin has tirelessly spread the story of Q2 to field production engineers across western Canada, serving as a mentor to numerous sales professionals within the company. Additionally, our in-house engineering group, which I lead, sets us apart from our competitors. We continuously redefine the boundaries by developing new products that enhance the lifespan of our offerings during service. As a company, we are always pushing the envelope to provide innovative solutions.

Q. What has been the impact of Q2 Artificial Lift Services’ Q2-TRAK of the industry as a whole? How have customers welcomed this innovative software?

Corbin Coyes: The Q2-Trak system is a valuable tool for collaborating with oil companies. This tracking software provides essential data to enhance product lifespans in the oil industry. It empowers oil company representatives to understand trends and recommend design changes to prevent failures. From an engineering perspective, our software correlates pump solutions with oil, water, and gas production, giving production engineers confidence in Q2's ability to enhance production.

Q. What are Q2 Artificial Lift Services’ plans for the future?

Colin Heidel: With a focus on strategic growth, Doug aims to expand our reach and showcase our expertise. We firmly believe that our state-of-the-art manufacturing, in-house engineering, and dedicated workforce provide our clients with the optimal solution to maximize production and minimize downtime. Our motto has always been simple: continuous improvement and growth. We are committed to finding ways to enhance our performance and deliver the best possible results to our clients.

Q. Would you like us to highlight something important happening in your company that we may have missed asking about?

Colin Heidel: Corbin has helped introduce a captivating new technology to Doug, bringing us closer to the commercialization of the product. “Thermoplastic Sucker Rods” are not only cost effective but also significantly lighter and stronger, utilizing recycled materials. Its impact on the industry will be revolutionary. Surface emissions from well sites will be reduced by half, and the remaining oil in each well bore will be utilized instead of being abandoned.

We are actively developing a range of new technologies that work synergistically, transforming artificial lift helping our energy industry evolve.

In doing so, we are attempting to foster a deeper understanding among younger generations about the essential role of energy in their livelihoods. By encouraging their involvement, we aim to create a better environment for every human being and every living species on our planet within the oil and gas industry.

Bringing years of expertise and experience to the downhole rod pump space

Corbin Coyes is the Vice President of Engineering at Q2 Artificial Lift Services. Corbin is a highly experienced professional engineer with an extensive background of over 28 years inventing innovative oilfield tools and solutions for the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Colin Heidel is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Q2 Artificial Lift Services. Colin has an impressive 35-year career working with the Quinn Family, the first 28 years with Quinn Pumps and the next 7 years at Q2 Artificial Lift Services , showcasing his dedication, leadership, and expertise in the oil and gas industry. Starting as a shop technician, Colin's commitment and pursuit of excellence have propelled his career, making him invaluable to the company.