Flowco Expands Into Electric Submersible Pumps
Flowco Holdings has agreed to acquire Valiant Artificial Lift Solutions in a transaction valued at approximately $200 million. Valiant is one of the largest private, pure-play providers of electric submersible pump systems in the United States, with a strong footprint in the Permian Basin.
Founded in 2016, Valiant provides ESP and linear ESP systems, surface fluid transfer equipment, and well surveillance services to upstream operators.
"By combining Valiant's ESP capabilities with our existing artificial lift portfolio, we expand our ability to support customers earlier in the well's producing life and maintain ongoing involvement as operating conditions evolve," said Joe Bob Edwards, President and CEO of Flowco.
For operators, the addition of Valiant means that Flowco can now support the full production lifecycle of a well, from initial high-rate production through mid-life transitions and late-stage recovery, with a broader range of lift technologies under one roof. Every well is different, and the right lift method depends on the well's unique reservoir, completion, and operating conditions. With Valiant by Flowco, operators have one partner who can deliver the right solution at the right time.
ESPs are essential in unconventional production
Electric submersible pumps are one of the most widely deployed artificial lift methods for high-rate oil production. ESPs use multistage centrifugal pumps powered by an electric motor to efficiently lift large volumes of fluid from depth, and handling production from a few hundred to tens of thousands of barrels per day.
In unconventional basins like the Permian, ESPs are often the first-lift choice because of their ability to accelerate drawdown and maximize early production. As average horizontal lateral lengths continue to grow and completions become more complex, the demand for ESP systems engineered to perform in these environments continues to increase.
But unconventional wells are hard on ESPs. That's where Valiant's engineering focus makes a difference.
Valiant's Endeavour® ESP Platform
Valiant's Endeavour® ESP systems have been proven in thousands of installations across unconventional horizontal and conventional wells. The platform covers a wide range of casing sizes and production rates:
Valiant's ESP motor lineup includes induction and permanent magnet designs, with single motor horsepower ranging from 15 HP to over 500 HP depending on series and configuration.
Built for the Toughest Conditions
What sets Valiant apart is a focus on durability and field performance in the conditions that cause ESPs to fail.
Abrasion-Resistant Modular (ARM) Pumps
Sand, iron sulfate, and other solids are leading causes of premature ESP failure. Valiant's ARM pumps feature Tungsten Carbide bearing sets that carry thrust loads at each bearing placement. Helping to prevent load transfer to the seal section and enabling deeper setting depths. The bearing geometry features engineered slots and grooves that allow solids to flow through without causing accelerated wear, heat buildup, or shaft breakage.
IntactESP™ Reinforced Connections
In deviated or tight-radius wellbores, a flange connection failure can be one of the costliest downhole events. Valiant's IntactESP™ design uses alloy steel metallurgy and upgraded flange geometry to reinforce critical mechanical stress points. Paired with proprietary ZONE® Stress Analysis software, operators can model well geometry and identify risk before deployment.
Intercept™ Gas Management
Gas interference is a primary driver of ESP cycling and premature shutdowns in unconventional wells. Valiant addresses this through a four-phase approach: 1) Avoid, 2) Separate, 3) Process, and 4) Control. Combining downhole gas separators, gas handlers, and variable speed drive automation to keep ESPs running in high-GOR environments.
The Intercept™ portfolio includes vortex and rotary gas separators to separate gas before it enters the pump, gas handlers that homogenize remaining gas-liquid mixtures and the VC900 pump. Engineered specifically for extreme high-gas, low-flow conditions with stable performance in flow rates as low as 110 BLPD and GLRs as high as 3,400 SCF/STB.
PULSE® VSD Gas-Lock Prevention
Valiant’s PULSE® Variable Speed Drives are programmed with proprietary gas-lock mitigation software that automatically adjusts motor speed to allow gas slugs to work through the pump without locking up. In a 10-well Lower Spraberry program where the previous manufacturer's drives were triggering daily shutdowns from transient gas, Valiant installed Endeavour® ESPs with PULSE® drives and eliminated the repetitive cycling that was degrading cable insulation, motor windings, and internal components.
Surveillance That Never Sleeps
Hardware alone doesn't determine ESP run life, but rather proactive monitoring does. Now more than ever.
Valiant's Optimus™ team provides 24/7 ESP surveillance, using real-time pump curves, motor temperature data, intake and discharge pressure readings, and amperage trends to identify developing issues before they become failures.
In one Permian Basin well, Valiant's surveillance team flagged excessive shutdowns over a 48-hour period, diagnosed a hole in the production tubing from trend data, and coordinated with the operator to pull and reinstall the unit. The result: an additional $32,500 per week in recovered production and a prevented motor failure.
The Right Lift for Every Well
Every well has its own set of conditions. From reservoir characteristics, gas-oil ratio, wellbore geometry, solids risk, power availability, and economics. Some wells are best served by ESPs. Others are better suited to High-Pressure Gas Lift. Both are proven, effective technologies for unconventional production.
The Flowco Advantage – multiple lift system options from a single provider.
Wells don't stay the same. As production declines and conditions evolve, lift requirements change. The partner and infrastructure built around that first lift decision is what supports the asset for the long run.
That's what Flowco is about . Seamless production optimization from start to finish.