MaverickX field trial restores production at non-commercial South Texas well

(WO) - MaverickX has reported results from a field trial in South Texas indicating that an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) chemistry treatment restored production in a previously non-commercial oil well in the Olmos formation.

The Fowler 1 well had produced roughly five barrels of oil over a 15-month period and had recorded no production for three months prior to treatment. Following a single EOR treatment using MaverickX’s PetroX chemistry, the well resumed sustained production at approximately 23 gallons of oil per day, with basic sediment and water levels reported below 5% as of mid-January 2026.

According to the company, the treatment was applied in a clay-rich, swelling formation without mobilizing proppant or damaging fracture integrity—an ongoing challenge in similar reservoir settings. The well had previously been classified as uneconomic.

Laboratory analysis of produced fluids was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MaverickX said early post-treatment samples showed a temporary increase in dissolved iron levels that declined to non-detectable levels within 30 days, consistent with targeted mineral interaction rather than bulk dissolution. Sulfur concentrations in the produced oil decreased initially before stabilizing, while FTIR data indicated no measurable changes to hydrocarbon composition.

The company said the results suggest the chemistry disrupted iron- and aluminum-stabilized clay structures, improving pore connectivity and fluid flow while preserving crude quality. MaverickX noted that the approach differs from conventional acid-based stimulation methods, which can pose risks to proppant stability and formation integrity.

While the initial trial focused on oil recovery, MaverickX is also evaluating whether similar chemical mechanisms could support future applications involving mineral liberation from depleted oilfields. The company said further field testing will be required to assess repeatability, longevity of production response, and applicability across other clay-dominated reservoirs.

The Fowler 1 trial adds to a growing body of field work aimed at reactivating marginal and idle wells, particularly in formations where conventional stimulation methods have produced limited results.