Quarterlytics / Energy / Oil & Gas Equipment & Services / Flotek Industries, Inc. / FY2015 Annual Report

Flotek Industries, Inc.
Annual Report 2015

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FY2015 Annual Report · Flotek Industries, Inc.
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Flotek’s Technology Portfolio

Flotek’s  portfolio  consists  of  four  primary  technology  groups:  Energy  Chemistry Technologies;  Drilling 
Technologies;  Production Technologies; and Consumer & Industrial  Chemistry Technologies. Our Energy 
Chemistry Technologies add value in the drilling, completion and production stages of  oil and gas wells; 
our  Drilling  Technologies  provide  solutions  during  the  drilling  stage  of  oil  and  gas  wells;  and  our 
Production  Technologies  address  a  number  of  production  challenges  for  oil  and  gas  companies.  Our 
diverse mix of products and services touch every stage of  the life cycle of a well. Through the acquisition 
of  Florida  Chemical,  we  have  added  Consumer  &  Industrial  Chemistry  Technologies  which  provide 
cutting-edge, citrus-based chemistry to the flavor, fragrance and industrial services industries.   While each 
technology requires unique technical expertise, all of our technologies share a commitment to our vision 
to  provide  best-in-class technology,  cutting-edge  innovation  to  address the  ever-changing  challenges of 
our customers and exceptional customer service.

  Consumer and Industrial Chemistry Technologies

Consumer  and  Industrial  Chemistry  Technologies  was 
added  with  the  acquisition  of  Florida  Chemical.  The 
Company is one of the largest processors of citrus oils in 
the  world.  Consumer  and  Industrial  Chemistry 
Technologies  designs,  develops  and  manufactures 
products  that  are  sold  to  companies  in  the  flavor  and 
fragrance industry and specialty chemical industry. These 
technologies are  used by  beverage and food companies, 
fragrance  companies,  and  companies  providing 
household and industrial cleaning products.

Drilling Technologies

Production Technologies

Energy Chemistry Technologies

Drilling Technologies focus on 
designing, manufacturing and 
d i s t r i b u t i n g  a  d i v e r s e 
inventory  of  downhole  drilling 
equipment  with  applications 
in  oil  and  gas  drilling  as  well 
a s  m i n i n g ,  w a t e r  a n d 
industrial  drilling applications. 
I n  a d d i t i o n ,  w e  p r o v i d e 
directional  drilling  telemetry 
services  through  our  best-in-
class  Teledrift®  technologies. 
We continue to introduce new 
product  innovations  including 
TelePulse™ and Stemulator®.

Our  Production  Technologies 
are  focused  on  assembling, 
distributing,  installing   and 
servicing  a  broad  spectrum  of 
pumping  system  components 
i n c l u d i n g  e l e c t r i c a l 
submersible  pumps  (ESPs),  gas 
separators  and  other  services. 
In  addition,  our  Petrovalve™ 
patented production valve  and 
components  are  used  by  a 
p l e t h o r a  o f  o i l  a n d  g a s 
p r o d u c e r s  i n  d o w n h o l e 
production  assemblies.  Our 
P r o d u c t i o n  Te c h n o l o g i e s 
continue to evolve  to meet the 
needs of both maturing oil and 
natural  gas  production.  Our 
acquisition  of  International 
Artificial Lift, LLC expands our 
u n i q u e 
p r o d u c t i o n 
technologies  to  the  hydraulic 
lift  arena,  providing  next-
generation  lift  technologies 
that  are  more  efficient  with  a 
s m a l l e r  e n v i r o n m e n t a l 
footprint  that  we  intend  to 
deploy globally.

Energy Chemistry Technologies 
f o c u s  o n  d e v e l o p i n g , 
manufacturing and distributing 
a  wide  array  of  specialty 
chemistries  used  in  both 
p r i m a r y  a n d  s e c o n d a r y 
recovery  efforts.  Our  unique 
and  patented  chemistries  are 
u s e d 
i n  c e m e n t i n g , 
stimulation,  acidizing,  drilling 
and  production.  Our  best-in-
class  Complex  nano-Fluid® 
chemistries  have  been  shown 
to  meaningfully  increase 
production  and  well  integrity 
in  unconventional  tight  gas 
and  oil  formations.  Moreover, 
o u r  a d v a n c e d  r e s e r v o i r 
modeling   capabilities  provide 
tailored  chemistry  solutions  to 
address  clients’  proprietary 
completion  and  production 
challenges.  We  also  provide 
Logistics  Technologies  which 
manage  automated  material 
handling, loading  facilities and 
blending  capabilities 
for 
energy services companies and 
build bulk storage facilities.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
           - Mother Teresa

fell 21% and, as a result,  the North 
American  rig   count  slid  over  62% 
during  the twelve months  that were 
that  backdrop 
2015.  To  suggest 
created  challenges  for  our  industry 
is, at best, a mild understatement.  

While  your  company  was  not 
i m m u n e  t o  t h e  p r e s s u r e s  o f 
depressed oil  and natural gas prices 
and  the  resulting  evisceration  of 
oilfield  activity,  our  commitment  to 
maintain  a  balance  sheet  with 
minimal  leverage and  our focus  on 
Flotek’s  core,  production-enhancing 
customized  chemistries  helped 
Flotek  remain  above  the  financial 
abyss  and poised  to  take  advantage 
of  opportunities  even  in  these  most 
challenging times. 

While  our  financial  position  has 
provided  us  a  base  from  which  to 
continue  our  growth,  it  is 
the 
unwavering dedication  and  effort of 
t h e  F l o t e k  t e a m  t h a t  c r e a t e 
opportunities  for future success. The 
day-in  and  day-out  belief  by  each 
member  of  the  Flotek  team  –  from 
Wyoming  to  Williston,  Midland  to 
Marlow  and  new  frontiers  beyond 
our  borders  – that  they  can  make a 
difference  for  all  our  stakeholders: 
our  clients;  our  team  members  and 
their communities; the environment; 
and,  most  importantly,  you,  our 
shareholders,  is  the  most  important 
measure of our success. 

There  is 
little  question  that  our 
resolve  and  resources  have  been 
and  will  continue  to  be  put  to  the 
test  as  our  industry  addresses  the 
challenges  of  supply,  pricing   and 
financial  strength.  Moreover,  Flotek 
its  own  set  of  unique 
faces 
challenges  resulting   from  missteps 
related  to  the  development  of  its 
production  measurement  software 
system.

While  some  may  believe  such 
challenges  are  daunting,  I  assure 
you  the  Flotek  team  thrives  on 
addressing   the  challenges  directly, 

On  behalf  of  my  colleagues  at 
Flotek  Industries,  I  am  pleased  to 
report to you on the progress of your 
Company. 

“ Fellow Flotek Shareholder:

A ripple effect is a 
situation in which 
ripples expand 
across the water 
when an object is 
dropped into it, an 
effect from an initial 
state can be followed 
outwards 
incrementally.

By nearly any measure, 2015  was  a 
challenging   year  for  our  industry 
and, as  a result, your Company. The 
ripples  that  began  in  2014  grew  to 
waves  of tsunamic proportion as  the 
tumult  created  by  rapidly declining 
hydrocarbon  prices  resulted  in  a 
marked  deceleration  in  oilfield 
activity. By the time 2015 came to a 
close,  many  of  our  brethren  were 
searching for answers as  well  as  for 
stability  in  an  environment  that 
provided anything but. 

Just  how  challenging  is  the  current 
environment? Consider that in 2015 
crude  oil  prices  dropped  over 30% 
(and were down  over 65% from  the 
June, 2014 peak), natural gas prices 

with  resolve  that 
inside  every 
challenge  is  an  opportunity  to  be 
discovered  and,  through  precise 
execution, harnessed to improve the 
value of your company.   At the end 
of the day I am convinced our team 
will  be  judged  more  by  how  we 
respond  and  grow  from  these 
challenges  than  by  the  challenges 
themselves.  And,  we  are  up  to  the 
challenges.  

My  confidence  comes  from  our 
belief  that  Flotek remains  extremely 
well  positioned  as  a  leader  in  an 
energy services renaissance that will 
be  driven  by  a  new  wave  of 
technological  innovation,  focused 
on  precision,  customized  chemistry 
t h a t  c o n t i n u e s 
t o  i m p r o v e 
production  in  new  and  existing 
wells  and  is  conscious  of  the 
importance  of  environmental 
stewardship, a sense of obligation to 
leave the path of energy exploration 
as  untarnished  as  possible,  proving 
that  energy  development  and 
environmental  principals  can 
coexist. 

While  the  road  ahead  will  be 
uneven,  challenging   and  even 
uncomfortable,  the  prospective 
reward makes the journey necessary 
and  the resolve of  the entire  Flotek 
t e a m  w i l l  m a k e  t h e  j o u r n e y 
possible. I have no doubt  that, once 
we arrive at our destination, we will 
look  back and  view  the challenges 
overcome as the motivation to make 
F l o t e k  s t r o n g e r,  p r o v i d i n g 
opportunity  to  further  sharpen  our 
focus  on  our  core  competencies, 
seek  opportunities  that  exploit  and 
expand  our  key  strengths  and  gain 
market  share  and  expand  our 
reputation  as  a leading  innovator of 
value-added oilfield technologies. 

The  theme  of  this  year’s  annual 
report  captures not  only the tone of 
our  current  operating   environment 
but  also  the  impact  of  Flotek’s 
evolving   technology  portfolio  on 
our industry. 

A ripple effect is a situation in which ripples expand across the water when 
an object is dropped into it, an effect  from  an initial state can be followed 
outwards incrementally.

Clearly,  lower  commodity  prices  have  created  a  ripple  effect  on  our 
business  as well as  the businesses  of our peers and clients. The ripples have 
expanded  around  the  globe  and  had  profound  effects  on  the  way  we 
operate our businesses, in many cases challenging our very existence. 

However,  as  noted  earlier,  we  view  those  challenging   ripples  as 
opportunities  for Flotek to recreate, reinvent and  reinvigorate our business, 
creating  new products  and services and forging  new partnerships to ensure 
we not only remain relevant to our clients but create ripples of our own that 
improve  our clients’  operations  and,  as  a  result,  create value for you, our 
shareholders. 

While the road ahead will be uneven, challenging 
and  even  uncomfortable,  the  prospective  reward 
makes the journey necessary; while the resolve of 
the  entire  Flotek  team  will  make  the  journey 
possible. 

In 2015, we created several ripples of our own:

•

•

Through  the  creation  of  the  Flotek  Store™,  your  company  broke 
tradition  with  the  long-standing  yet  antiquated  business  model  of 
indirect  distribution of  oilfield  chemistry,  instead choosing  to allow 
end-users  –  our  exploration  and  production  clients  –  to  obtain 
products  directly  from  Flotek.  The  ripple  effects  were  numerous 
including  more  exposure to  Flotek  customers,  increased  sales  and 
overall  more  efficient  pricing  from  traditional  distributors.  We 
believe this  is just  the beginning of direct distribution opportunities 
for  Flotek,  providing   opportunities  for  more  direct  collaboration 
with  exploration  and  production  clients,  better  market  penetration 
and  an  expansion  of  precision,  customized  chemistry  offerings  to 
the industry. 

The decision  to  construct  the Flotek Global Research  &  Innovation 
Center has  positioned Flotek as a leader in global oilfield chemistry 
research.  As  a  result,  Flotek  has  expanded  its  collaborations  with 
leading   North  American  universities  including   Texas  A&M 
University, the University of Kansas, the University of Wyoming, the 
University  of Calgary,  Rice University,  the University  of  Oklahoma 
and  the  University of  North  Dakota among  others.  In  addition our 
commitment  to  research  has  resulted  in  the need  for  an  additional 
shift  at  our  existing   laboratory  to  meet  the  demand  for  Flotek 
analytical services. The ripples will continue into the coming  year as 
we complete our global  research facility  and  look forward to  even 
more opportunities  – both  here and  overseas  – to  help our  clients 
optimize  their  drilling,  completion  and  production  chemistry  and 
fluid systems. 

•    What  started  with  a focus  on  Canadian  opportunities,  our  international  business  has  rippled  around  the 
globe, covering  nearly every continent and dozens of countries from Argentina to the United Arab Emirates. 
We are grateful  for the work  of  the recently  retired  Gary Flock – who  spent  three-decades  toiling  in  the 
international oilfield services  arena – who was instrumental in establishing  Flotek’s global  reach  and  look 
forward to riding the ripples of his vigorous efforts. 

•    We  continued  to  build  the  infrastructure  in  our  Production  Technologies  business  through  the  January 
acquisition of International Artificial Lift, LLC, an emerging  Texas-based business with new lift technologies 
that  we  believe  will  give  Flotek  a  distinct  product  and  service  offering  that  is  more  efficient  and  less 
intrusive than traditional artificial lift products. We recently installed our first  next-generation hydraulic lift 
systems  and  believe  the  success  should  create  ripples  across  the  business  as  operating  results  become 
available. 

These are just a few examples of the efforts  by the Flotek team  that are both genuine and  gallant, especially in an 
incredibly challenging operating environment.

In  November,  a  report  was  released  claiming  Flotek’s  production  measurement  software,  FracMax®,  displayed 
certain incorrect data.  Since the report was released, we have worked diligently to address the issues raised as well 
as independently validate the benefits of our precision, customized chemistries. 

As  is often the case in similar situations, the Securities 
and  Exchange Commission  has  opened  a  fact-finding 
inquiry with  which  the Company is fully cooperating. 
There  have  not  been  any  allegations  of  wrongdoing.    
Various  shareholder  lawsuits  have  also  been  filed, 
which  the  Company  is  actively  defending   and  will 
seek to dismiss.  (cid:2)

There is little doubt that  the past  twelve months  have 
been some of the most challenging  in recent memory. 
In  fact,  the relatively small number of  my brethren in 
the oilfield that date back to the 1970s are challenged 
to recall a more arduous time in the business. 

That  said,  it  is  incumbent  on  leaders  –  in  the  most 
challenging   environment  –  to  make  the  difficult 
decisions  necessary  to  ensure  the  future  of  the 
enterprise,  balance  conservation  and  opportunity  and  position  the  Company  appropriately  to  be  prepared  to 
exploit  opportunities as  the cycle recovers. Those decisions are difficult, require resolve and a clear vision of  the 
future, something that can be very difficult to envision in the daily struggle to survive.

I  am  confident  that  we  have  the right  leaders  in  the  right  places  to  maximize  our  opportunities  in  this  difficult 
operating  environment.    While  we remain focused on  liquidity,  we also  are focused on  opportunities,  confident 
that  making  strategic  investments  in  technology  can  and  will  result  in  the  creation  of  long-term  value  for  our 
shareholders. 

As  a result, we will  carefully evaluate all  opportunities  – both  internal  and  extrinsic – that  will result in  a more 
robust  and  efficient  enterprise,  creating  ripples  of  future value.    Our  eyes  are wide  open,  exploring  any  and  all 
value-creating opportunities  including acquisitions,  partnerships  and  divestitures  that stand in  support of our goal 
of making a difference for our clients, communities and shareholders. 

An important part of the “Making  a Difference” ethos for Flotek is giving  back. Whether it is our work with Make a 
Wish®,  veterans concerns or support for Eric Dickerson’s efforts to help boys and young  men facing  the challenges 
of  growing  up  without their fathers, Flotek is unabashedly committed  to giving  back, being  good stewards of our 
communities  and  making  a difference in the lives  of those  we serve. Without  that  commitment,  our commercial 
efforts  seem less important. Our commitments to our communities give our daily efforts a greater sense of purpose 
and meaning  and, we hope, create ripples into the communities that  make our world a better place. That is what 
“Making a Difference” is all about. 

I  have told the Flotek team  in  recent weeks,  while the challenges  and  uncertainties  in  front of  us  are significant, 
they still  pale in  comparison to what we faced in 2008 and 2009. Moreover, our team is the most talented  in  the 
history of  Flotek.  Given our track record  of addressing,  overcoming  and  excelling  during  periods of  tumult, I  am 
both confident and excited that the best is yet to come for Flotek.

And, if we cast the right “stones”, we have the ability to create the ripples that will continue to change our industry 
and create opportunities for all our stakeholders, especially you, our shareholders. 

Finally, I am certain each of  you will join me in acknowledging  and thanking  Todd Sanner, a friend and long-time 
Flotek  team  member  for  his  dedication  and  service to  Flotek. Todd,  President  of  CESI  Chemical,  our  chemistry 
research  and  production  subsidiary,  gave  over  three  decades  to  the  creation  and  growth  of  the cornerstone  of 
today’s Flotek. His common-sense commitment to the business and his dedication to the people who worked with 
him are hallmarks of his leadership. While Todd’s leadership will be missed, his legacy will continue to live within 
Flotek for years to come. 

I  conclude  this  year’s  missives  with  the  same pledge  I  have  made  each  year  since  becoming  President  of  your 
Company: Along  with all of my colleagues at Flotek, I pledge to you, our shareholders, that everything  we do will 
be based on our belief that it is in the best interest of our stakeholders. First and foremost, we will work tirelessly to 
add value and continue to earn your trust. 

In short, we will create ripples that make a difference. 

Thank you for your continued interest and support of Flotek. 

With appreciation, 

John W. Chisholm

Chairman, President and 

Chief Executive Officer