Every winter, the oil and gas industry braces for one of its toughest challenges: frozen equipment. It’s not only regulators that suffer—valves, pilots, meters, transmitters, fuel lines, and even entire distribution skids can lock up when temperatures plunge. When just one component freezes, the chain reaction can shut down production fields and disrupt transmission and distribution networks.

That’s why Catco designs catalytic heaters and enclosures for the full range of vulnerable equipment. From regulators and control valves to electronics and meters, our solutions deliver focused, flameless heat that keeps systems online. We’ve seen firsthand how downtime impacts both production and T&D, and how the right protection restores flow quickly and reliably.

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The Winter Challenge: Freeze-Ups in the Field

The Joule-Thomson effect—where gas rapidly cools as it expands—creates ice inside regulators, valves, and other pressure-sensitive components. Combine that with freezing moisture in fuel lines or exposed instruments, and entire systems can grind to a halt.

• Production Sites: Wells lose efficiency, cutting into daily output.

• T&D Systems: Distribution stations fail to maintain pressure, interrupting delivery to downstream customers.

In winter, this isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a major threat to reliability, safety, and revenue.

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The Cost of Downtime

When critical equipment freezes, the ripple effect is immediate:

• Lost Production – Every frozen regulator or valve means revenue left in the ground.

• Emergency Repairs – Crews dispatched in storm conditions drive up costs.

• Customer Interruptions – Homes, power plants, and industrial clients depend on steady gas supply.

• Safety Hazards – Pressure swings and unplanned shutdowns put people and equipment at risk.

For operators across both production and distribution, the price of inaction during winter is simply too high.

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How Catco Restores Flow

Catco heaters and enclosures are engineered to fight freeze-ups and keep equipment running:

• Catalytic Heaters – Flameless infrared heat for safe use in hazardous areas.

• Instrument Gas Heaters (IGHs) – Deliver steady BTU/hr output right where it’s needed.

• Custom Enclosures – Built to protect regulators, valves, pilots, or full skids in unique setups.

• Accessories – Thermostats, steady heat controllers, and weather covers for added performance.

From the Permian Basin to the Midwest, Catco solutions protect against the worst winter conditions so operators can keep gas moving without interruption.

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Conclusion: Be Ready Before the Freeze

Winter freeze-ups don’t just stall equipment—they can cripple entire operations. With Catco’s proven heaters, enclosures, and accessories, you can protect your regulators, valves, pilots, and electronics from freezing and avoid costly downtime.

👉 Don’t wait for the next cold front. Explore Catco’s winter-ready solutions today and keep your systems flowing all season long.