| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | January 23, 2014[1] |
| Headquarters | Williston, North Dakota |
Key people | Chuck Black (CEO) |
| Products |
|
| Website | flowcoresystems |
FlowCore Systems, LLC is an American manufacturing company established in 2014.[1] Headquartered in Williston, North Dakota, FlowCore produces an automated system of freshwater management and chemical injection intended to replace mechanical pumping systems.[2][3]
History
editFlowCore was founded in 2014 by Chuck Black, automation engineer and published author.[4][5][6][7]
Black's ties to the manufacturing sector date back to the late 1970s, when his brother Wes Black invented a construction line reel used for marking concrete. Sold under the trademarked name Stringliner, the tool struggled to gain retail momentum, with sales tapering off by the early 1980s. Then, as Black's father and three brothers were working in mud engineering at the tail end of the 80s oil boom, they decided to revisit the product and revive Stringliner.[4]
At the time, Black was a combat communications officer with the U.S. Air Force. While visiting home for Christmas one year, he visited his family's Stringliner operation and spotted some ways they could improve upon existing automations.[4]
"Given my background and degree in electrical and electronic engineering from NDSU, I envisioned ways they could improve automation," Black said in an interview with DAWA Solutions Group. "I returned to my station in Oklahoma City and began working on automation ideas. Things were a lot different back then. I was creating things from scratch, etching my own circuit boards and programing in machine language."[4]
After implementing Black's ideas, Stringliner doubled production, and Black—still with the Air Force—continued to develop new iterations of his first automation. He eventually began working at Stringliner full-time and remained there until the company was sole in 2014.[8][4]
In 2014, an extended family member approached Black about an issue he was experiencing with chemical pumps in the oil and gas industry. Black recounted to DAWA, "He came to me and explained the number of problems he was having with chemical pumps in the field: ’I’m spending 60% of my time fixing malfunctioning pumps and blocked check valves, there’s got to be a better way,’ he told me."[4]
Setting out to design a system that was low-maintenance with increased chemical metering accuracy, Black developed the FC500 fresh water and chemical injection system.[8]
Products
editFlowCore's flagship product is the FC500 fresh water management and chemical injection system, which launched commercially in July of 2017. The system is built to self-dose using parameters set by the operator and chemical company, measure the results, and adjust accordingly to meet the desired target based on that day's water and chemical performance.[4][9]
Data from the FC500 is captured using an online application called FlowSite, which creates interactive reports and trend analysis charts.[4][10]
Recognition
edit- 2016: Finalist for American Petroleum Institute's Industry Innovation award[11]
- 2017: Winner of American Petroleum Institute's Industry Innovation award[12][2]
References
edit- ^ a b "FlowCore Systems, LLC". North Dakota Secretary of State. June 14, 2018.
- ^ a b "Biberdorf receives lifetime award at API". Williston Herald. November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Agenda – Board of City Commissioners" (PDF). City of Williston. February 28, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "FlowCore Systems - Williston Manufacturing Company, a Reprise". DAWA Solutions Group. January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Author Chuck Black". Teen Ink. November 29, 2011.
- ^ "Chuck Black". LinkedIn. June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Chuck Black (Author) – Home". Facebook. June 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "Seven Openings on City of Williston June 12 Ballot". Williston Wire. January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Enhanced Bakken Supply Change Initiative" (PDF). Ports-To-Plains Alliance. 2015.
- ^ "Home". FlowCore. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Williston API Announces 2016 Achievement Award Finalists". Energy API. November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Williston Basin Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute (Williston API) announces finalists for the 6th annual Achievement Awards". Bakken Oil Business Journal. November 17, 2017.
