The oil and gas industry runs like a finely tuned machine. Every valve, regulator, and control point plays a role in keeping energy flowing—across states, across borders, and across industries.

At CATCO, we focus on the parts that keep that machine from freezing up—literally. Our mission is to make sure that when temperatures drop, production doesn’t.

We’re attending PBIOS 2025 in Odessa, Texas to highlight how CATCO’s solutions strengthen the performance and reliability of this global energy system, helping operators prevent downtime and maintain flow year-round.

The Hidden Gear in the System

CATCO isn’t just another heater manufacturer. We’re the small but critical gear that keeps the oil and gas machine turning smoothly.

Our heated enclosures, instrument gas heaters, and accessories protect the sensitive equipment that drives production and distribution—components like regulators, valves, and measurement assemblies.

When these elements freeze, operations slow. When they stay protected, the system thrives. That’s the difference CATCO makes.

Why PBIOS Matters

The Permian Basin International Oil Show connects the people who make the global energy industry run. For CATCO, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how our heating systems fit into the bigger picture of reliability and resilience—two of the most important words in modern energy.

Our goal is to show that freeze prevention isn’t just maintenance—it’s protection for production. When energy flows uninterrupted, the entire network benefits—from operators in West Texas to distribution teams overseas.

A Global Role in Energy Resilience

Our work extends far beyond Texas. CATCO products are trusted across the U.S. and internationally—from North Dakota to Norway, from Alberta to the Gulf Coast.

Each design targets the Joule-Thomson effect, a major cause of freezing in natural gas applications. By addressing it directly, our systems ensure stability even when temperatures plunge to -40°F or soar in humid coastal heat.

No matter the environment, our focus remains the same: protect the system, preserve the flow, and strengthen the industry.

Building the Future of Reliability

Energy resilience is a shared goal across every corner of the industry. CATCO’s part in that mission is ensuring the smallest components—the regulators, valves, and measurement points—stay operational when conditions turn extreme.

As the energy landscape evolves, reliability and efficiency will continue to define success. CATCO is here to make sure both remain possible through proven, field-tested heating solutions and a commitment to keeping the energy machine running strong.

Key Takeaway:
CATCO is the part of the oil and gas machine that keeps everything moving—quietly, reliably, and efficiently. Our presence at PBIOS 2025 is about showing how freeze protection and energy resilience keep the entire system turning.

The post How CATCO Fits Into the Oil & Gas Machine — and Why We’re Heading to PBIOS 2025 appeared first on Catco.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The post Prevent Oil & Gas Equipment Freeze-Ups | Catco Winter Solutions appeared first on Catco.

The business was once merely the seed of an idea: the pressing need for durable catalytic heaters that would be delivered as promptly as customers expected.

Founder Bill Richards saw the gap in the market when colleagues complained to him about problems with their catalytic heaters.

This inspired him to create Catco in 1982. He had recently retired as VP of Sales from Teledyne-Merla, and could finally fulfill his lifelong dream of owning his own business.

Catco’s Humble Roots

In the early days, Catco operated out of nothing more than the closet of an old car dealership. And the first catalytic heaters Richards produced used local sheet makers for the heater pans, enclosures, and other metal products.

Despite these small beginnings, Richards had excellent knowledge of selling oilfield products and maintained a clear vision for his catalytic heater business. He began the task of scaling Catco to the size it is today.

Facing the Challenges of Upscaling

However, scaling up was not without its own challenges and obstacles.

During Catco’s growth, it became increasingly difficult to keep up with customer demands, due to supply shortages.

There were also challenges with the development of the catalytic pads. The original substrate that was used to make the pads was too thick, causing them to split in half, rendering them useless.

This led the Catco team to start working towards a more effective solution to improve overall efficiency and design, while reducing the cost of operations.

Richards saw an opportunity to increase growth if he worked with friends and colleagues, like Milt Craven. He asked them to become his new distributors because they had considerable influence on the market. Craven, for instance, had been a sales manager at Grove (a valve manufacturer), and had stayed in contact with his former colleagues, who had operations in various areas. Craven told these contacts he would guarantee the Catco product.

Securing these connections proved vital for supporting Catco’s eventual growth.

Growth and Success at Catco 

Bill would later say he believed none of the growth would have happened if it wasn’t for God looking down on his company. 

In 2008 Catco moved its operations into a new facility, which included an office and a manufacturing warehouse. They rented out the original Catco buildings to a vet to run a dog spa!

Throughout all this, Richard maintained that his primary goal was to build Catco into a company that is easy to do business with – one that puts problem-solving and customer service first. This continues to be Catco’s driving philosophy today.

From the beginning, the single most important product line of Catco has been their catalytic heaters. They are the most straightforward, simple solution to the common problems associated with the oil and gas industry today.

This idea of straightforwardness and simplicity entirely fits with the company’s overall philosophy.

Catco are the Experts

Catco has served the oil and gas industry for 30 years. We specialize in oil and gas applications, so we understand your unique challenges. Want to learn more about how catalytic heaters work? Check out our complete guide or schedule your product demo today to see it for yourself.

All images © Travis Richards 

The post Catco History: From Seed to Success. appeared first on Catco.