Month: October 2019

Slurry with Gilsonite® increases yield and reduces cost

October 22, 2019

A West Texas O&G operator wanted to reduce slurry costs for its lightweight cement applications in the Permian Basin. The cementing company, West Texas Cementers (WTC), an independent cementing company in Odessa, Texas, replaced hollow beads with Gilsonite® uintaite. The result was a significant reduction in slurry costs.

WTC had typically used hollow beads as the lightweight additive in a 10.5 ppg cement system. “Our client asked us to provide a less expensive slurry with the same technical performance,” observed Kevin Swikert, WTC Engineer and Technology Manager. “We made a couple of additive substitutions in our cement system, with the primary change being to replace beads with Gilsonite® G-Bond.”

The revised 10.6 ppg cement system reduced slurry costs by 26% while still meeting all requirements defined by the operator and governing bodies in terms of thickening time, compressive strength development and cement fill behind the pipe.

Additional tests were conducted for offset wells in the Delaware Basin. Further testing showed that Gilsonite® G-Bond reduced slurry costs in a wide range of cement formulations, with up to 37% savings in an 11.0 ppg mixture.

“Other additives can change your design parameters. With Gilsonite® G-Bond, you don’t have to worry about that,” Swikert added. “In addition, Gilsonite® controls free water, lowers the slurry water ratio, prevents lost circulation, increases yield and mixes faster without foaming. I’m sold on Gilsonite® G-Bond as a cheaper option to glass beads. The other performance enhancements are an added benefit.”

Contact us to learn more about the world’s only true source of Gilsonite® and how Gilsonite® G-Bond can benefit your company.

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American Gilsonite Company Announces CEO Succession Plan

October 1, 2019

Craig Mueller to succeed David G. Gallagher as President and CEO in February 2020; Gallagher remains as Director transitioning to Special Advisor

American Gilsonite Company (“AGC”), the world’s principal supplier of Gilsonite®, announced today that its Board of Directors approved a succession plan for the executive leadership of the company. Craig Mueller, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of AGC will succeed David G. Gallagher as President and CEO of AGC effective February 1, 2020. Gallagher will transition from his current role as President and CEO to Special Advisor and remain as a Board member of AGC.

Gallagher joined AGC in 2013 and was named President and CEO of AGC in January 2016 with more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

“It has been an absolute privilege to serve AGC for the past six years, while building a brilliant team focused on innovation,” said Gallagher. “I am delighted that Craig will succeed me. He is a highly prepared professional and will undoubtedly drive the next wave of growth for our company.”

Before joining AGC, Mueller garnered more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. During this time, Mueller amassed substantial domestic and international experience in oilfield operations management, business development and commercial strategy. In his tenure at Baker Hughes, Mueller held several executive leadership positions and holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Louisiana State University.

“I am humbled and honored to be appointed President and CEO of AGC at such a dynamic time for our company,” said Mueller. “I look forward to building upon David’s momentum and leading our company into the future. I am committed to the continued focus on driving growth and strengthening our client collaboration.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to sincerely thank David for his gifted leadership. His highly valued versatile skill set was clearly exhibited during his tenure as CEO. We look forward to his continued guidance,” said Andrew Axelrod.

“Under Craig’s leadership, we will continue strategically expanding AGC’s footprint in multiple business segments,” continued Axelrod. “Our Board of Directors underwent a deliberate and meticulous succession planning process. We are confident in our decision and pleased that Craig has accepted this role.”

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this document contain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflects AGC’s current judgment on certain issues. Such statements apply to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of AGC to develop and market new products, market conditions, technological change, and competition. All forward-looking statements attributable to AGC or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth herein. AGC undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement about circumstances or events that occur after the date on which the forward-looking statements are made.

About American Gilsonite Company
American Gilsonite Company (AGC) is the world’s primary miner and processor of uintaite, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon similar in appearance to hard asphalt believed to be found in commercial quantities only in the Uinta Basin in northeastern Utah. AGC’s extensive mining operations in the area assure customers of a secure supply of the pure grade uintaite that AGC markets under its registered trademark name “Gilsonite®.” Because of its unique chemical and physical properties, Gilsonite® uintaite has been used in more than 160 products. The company sells its products to customers in four primary markets: (i) oil and gas, (ii) inks and paints, (iii) foundry, and (iv) asphalt. AGC is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with mining facilities based in Bonanza, Utah. American Gilsonite Company is privately held.

Contact
Paige Donnell
Paige PR
832-566-6503
paige@paigepr.com

Craig Mueller

David Gallagher