NORMAN — When David Lewis moved back to his native Oklahoma back in 2008, he did so with the intention of changing the way marginal oil and gas wells are pumped.
Lewis joined Larry Perry, president and CEO of Cyclone Production Tools, to work on a new product that could one day replace traditional rod-pumping systems currenlty being used throughout the country.
Deep in the heart of oil country, Cyclone’s two leaders believe their products can be innovative and economic tools with the potential to revitalize and transform the landscape of the oil and gas industry.
Combined, Lewis and Perry have more than 70 years of experience in oil and gas, which has enabled them to design a full line of simple and energy efficient artificial lift tools that can meet the demands of operators large and small.
They did, however, experience one small setback along the way.
Although Lewis and Perry had the technology and industry expertise, they lacked the business development and growth savvy to get their venture off of the ground.
“In large companies there is a network of people to go do that take care of specific business services and entities, but when I started out with Cyclone, it was just the two of us and we were unsure where to start.”
Fortunately for Cyclone, Moore Norman Technology Center’s Business Development Center was recommended to help the company get to where they wanted to be. Just a few months later, the company’s office is now housed at the BDC, which is located at the South Penn Campus on SW 134th and Penn Ave, in Oklahoma City.
Lewis said he’s grateful for the benefits, guidance and business support he has received by partnering with the MNTC.
“Since joining the BDC not too long ago, we’ve already learned so much about business planning, legal counseling, branding and other elements we need to run our business successfully,” Lewis said. “Having the personal attention, open lines of communication and knowledgeable resources all in one location are what give the BDC the excellent reputation it has for helping its clients lay the groundwork for corporate success.”
Over the next five years, Lewis and Perry plan to expand their business and become profitable to the point where they can perform their own product manufacturing.
“One of the great features that attracted us to the BDC was the fantastic tax incentive,” Lewis said. “Businesses who have an office in the BDC are exempt from state income tax for up to 10 years.”
Lewis added that they’ve received individual business assistance and have already made progress in the few months they’ve been a part of the BDC, and like many entrepreneurs who settle in Oklahoma, he said it wasn’t really a matter of choice.
“We didn’t choose Oklahoma — it chose us,” Lewis said. “But we’re now positioned well in the heart of the market we need to be in.”
According to Cyclone’s website, the company’s down-hole production tools have the capacity to maximize recovery from marginal gas wells by facilitating a deliquification process inside the pump. Right now, Cyclone is exploring the effectiveness of a new hydraulic pump for use on marginal gas wells, which can be an alternative to the traditional rod-pumping systems currently in use.
For more information about Cyclone Production Tools or to see a demonstration of their innovative products, visit www.cycloneproductiontools.com or call 281-384-5867 or 809-3517.
In addition to Cyclone, the BDC is home to other small businesses looking for guidance in areas like business planning, legal and employee management and marketing strategy.
Interested companies can learn more by calling 809-3517 or by visiting www.mntechnology.com.
