More than 60 independent oil and gas producers across North America are saving significant amounts of money on a daily basis.

They're absolutely certain that their compressors are working at maximum efficiency because they've bought into a ground-breaking and foolproof compressor diagnostic program developed, marketed and expertly supported by Calgary-based Detechtion Technologies.

"We serve just about everybody. That includes large multinationals through the royalty trusts down to small private companies," explains Detechtion CEO Alan Taylor, a well-respected mechanical engineer who has built a long and productive career by helping customers squeeze optimal performance from their compressors.

"Even midstream companies, which produce at discounted rates, get tremendous value out of catching maintenance problems early and maximizing production. It's absolutely true. Everybody benefits," adds Taylor.

Detechtion Technologies CEO Alan Taylor, left, and senior director Brian Taylor have ground-breaking technology.

Detechtion's impressive Internet-based technology not only diagnoses compressor inefficiencies and identifies maintenance deficiencies, but acts as a comprehensive fleet-management system that allows unlimited access to online users.

"A client can put as many people on the system as it wants," adds Brian Taylor, Detechtion's senior director for North American engineering and operations.

"From the operator, through the mechanical and engineering levels, performance superintendents, accountants, and joint'-venture partners: They're all able to log on to learn what variables are going on in the field. It helps each to do their job more efficiently," he adds.

Corporate clients have been quick to grasp the importance of Detechtion's web-based optimization and fleet'-management tool for obvious reasons: Once they've committed to paying the company's reasonable monthly fee, they've realized enormous savings, almost immediately.

How can they be sure? Simply by doing the math. After a diagnostic analysis, most clients are surprised to learn how poorly their compressors are performing. Typically, they'll find their machines are running at only 70 or 75 per cent of maximum utilization.

Detechtion Technologies relies on two key indicators: Cylinder utilization and horsepower.

"By looking carefully at these indicators, we can roll up our findings with the number of compressors our client is running and present them with an overall performance/productivity index for the company," explains Alan Taylor.

By relying on Detechtion's expert guidance, these client companies can turn a 75-per-cent performance ratio into 90 per cent within two to four months. Within another six months to a year, that performance rating will have climbed to the mid-to-high 90s.

And those improvements translate to startling cost savings. According to a unique formula, Detechtion Technologies analyses a "soup" of data such as pressures, temperatures, RPM and pocket settings. (These are numbers that are routinely logged by operators, then frequently placed on a shelf and forgotten.)

Once the information is at hand, Detechtion converts the data into a ratio known as Cash Flow At Risk. "The larger the number assigned to a particular compressor, the more attention the operator should pay to it," Alan Taylor emphasizes. "This way, we identify those compressors that are costing the company the most money."

Client companies are handed detailed reports, spelling out opportunities for fuel and power savings, fuel/gas usage, reconfiguring opportunities - all the things an engineer can do to manage a compressor fleet to its optimum usage," he adds.

That means big savings.

Would you believe a 50-to-one benefit-to-cost ratio?

"I'm serious.Your benefit-to-cost ratio can actually climb as high as a 1,000-to-one, based on $5 gas," says Brian Taylor.

"If they spend a few hundred dollars on our diagnostics, clients can literally save thousands over time."

Detechtion Technologies runs a HELP call centre that is open 24/7 to assist all customers with urgent problems. Detechtion staffers don't go to the field and wield wrenches. But they DO supply top-notch engineering consultation to help clients achieve their goals.

"We give them all the guidance necessary to get the work done and resolve the issue," Brian Taylor points out.

It's a fascinating company with a fascinating history. The story begins with Alan Taylor, fresh out of the University of Alberta's mechanical engineering program, assigned to optimize compressors operated by Dome Petroleum in the early 1970s. Taylor began refining his compressor assessment techniques soon thereafter, as a pioneering computer "geek."

Throughout his long career, he has worked hard to advance those strategies, ultimately creating a unique and comprehensive program for diagnosis and online assessment. Today, a lengthy roster of client companies is reaping the rewards.

If you're involved with oil and gas production, it boils down to a straightforward fact.You can't afford NOT to get in touch with Detechtion Technologies.

For more information, please access the corporate website: www.detechtion.com. Feel free to contact the company by dialing 403.250.9220 or firing off an e-mail to: info@detechtion.com