Fracing vs. Fracking: Winning the Grammar Battle and Losing the Search Engine War

Hydraulic fracturing is the drilling process where layers of bedrock are cracked and spilt using hydraulic fluids to free up and extract oil and natural gas trapped within. TECO is a manufacturer of severe service magnetic flowmeters designed specifically for the hydraulic fracturing industry.

We at TECO believe its important to fully understand an industry's unique processes, challenges, and terminology. By doing so we gain a deep industry knowledge. This knowledge facilitates better communication. Better communication increases understanding and reduces mistakes and errors.

There are very few situations where this isn't the best track to follow. But we found one.

We always tried to do our best by being clear, accurate, and following industry standards. But sometimes you just have to know when to give up. Such is the case with the never-ending "fracing vs. fracking" debate.

This isn't the first essay on the subject, and it won't be the last. It's just that, we here at TECO, have decided to change our online communications approach, based upon some pretty strong data.

While the Oil and Gas industry prefer leaving that lower case "k" out, it's become quite clear that Mr. Google and Mr. Webster decided the "k" needs to be there. And when you're a company making great flow meters, and trying to let people know how good they are, it's makes a world of difference in getting found on the search engines.

It's no secret that Oil and Gas industry people clearly prefer the use of frac or fracing. There are quite a few instances where industry leaders have strongly argued that frac or fracing are the only acceptable spellings. TECO too, decided the industry preferred version was the way to go, and decided that all of our efforts in online marketing and communications would follow suit. We were sure that by sticking to the use of the industry preferred spelling, we'd be in a perfect position to be seen by all the industry professionals searching for "fracing flow meters".

But that didn't happen. Mr. Google wasn't buying it. Search engine results were disappointing. We needed to find out what we were doing wrong.

After careful review of our online content, and use of keywords, we determined it was that lousy lowercase "k". Turns out it makes an insane amount of difference when people use a search engine.

For example, in one test, using a generic keyword tracking tool, we found that the term "fracing" returns a total of 1187 searches, while the term "fracking" returns an astounding 87,836 searches! That means "fracking" is searched for 74 times more than "fracing". You can't ignore that.

Additionally, when you review the Google Trends graph below,  you see a vivid illustration of the usage (and trends) for the terms Frac, Frack, Fracing and Fracking (it's pretty clear that Fracking is the winner).

Click for larger view.

But this graph also reveals another important geographic clue. You'll note that the term Frac is used in the specific states where the actual drilling is happening, which makes sense because that's where the fracing industry professionals are. And we want to make sure we reach them. So, our conclusion and online marketing plan may not surprise you.

We'll use both. 😀

TECO Flowmeter and Process Instrument Remanufacturing

As the world’s largest remanufacturer of flowmeters and process instruments, TECO has the experience, trained technicians, and facilities to remanufacture your equipment to meet or exceed all OEM specifications and performance standards.

TECO also has a "No Hassle Guarantee". Just send in your item, no form needed, no RMA required, and they'll respond in 48 hours.

http://www.teco-inc.com | 800-528-8997

Before and After Examples of Instrument and Flow Meter Repair & Remanufacture

See the dramatic change of flowmeters and instruments before and after the TECO repair and remanufactured process.

Stop Spending Money on Process Instruments Unnecessarily

Restore process instruments
to "better than new".

Millions of dollars each year are spent unnecessarily throwing away old flowmeters and process instruments. Companies aren't aware of a cost-effective alternative that doesn't impact product performance or quality. That alternative is "remanufacturing" - a process that restores process instrumentation to factory specifications and many times provide a "better than new" instrument - at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

TECO, based in New Orleans, established a strong reputation and very loyal customer base becoming the world's largest "remanufacturer" of flowmeters and many other types of process instruments.

Their business model and process is unique and elegantly simple. You send your flowmeter or instrument to TECO along with your contact information. Within 48 hours, TECO diagnoses the overall condition and outlines the problems with your device, and provides a quote for the restoration. If unrepairable, they quote a stock "remanufactured" direct replacement. If they can't restore, or provide a remanufactured unit from stock, they will competitively quote a new replacement.

Their repair / restoration process is top-notch. Experienced TECO technicians tear down the item and begin rebuilding it from the ground up. Parts are disassembled, cleaned, sandblasted, painted, and re-assembled. Electronics are repaired or replaced and then fully tested to factory specifications. The unit then goes through a NIST traceable calibration from a ISO/IEC accredited lab and all documentation is recorded and provided.

Check out this light-hearted, 3 minute presentation on the virtues of TECO remanufacturing and repair services.

Consider Flowmeter & Instrument Remanufacturing as a Viable Alternative to New

Example of instrument
remanufacture

Many companies don't realize that when you have a failed magnetic flowmeter or mass flowmeter, it's often more cost-effective and efficient to have them restored to mint condition than it is to replace them with new units.

But if you send meters to the original manufacturer, they can disappear into their system for weeks or months. And you have no idea how long it will really take, or if it will fail again later from undetected problems.

Example of mag meter
remanufacture

The fact is you can't afford the loss of productivity or downtime. But what if there were a place you could send broken flowmeters that could save you money and time by restoring them to pristine condition. A cost-effective specialist who could guarantee rapid turnaround time and premium customer service. A team of experienced professionals with the capabilities to keep equipment in service, even if it's no longer supported by others.

For a proven partner like this, there's only TECO. Established in 1947, TECO has become the global leader in restoration and customization of magnetic flow meters, Coriolis meters, and other process control instruments. At TECO, they understand that time is money, which is why they provide the fastest turnaround time in the industry. TECO doesn't simply repair a broken part in return it, they do a full restoration and back the whole meter with a full warranty.

Example of mass flowmeter
remanufacture

TECO quality control includes NIST traceable flow calibration, which is often required by regulatory agencies and ISO 9000 standards.  TECO also provides independent calibration to serve your preventative maintenance and metrology needs. While their low-cost, high-quality work has made TECO the industry leader, it's their commitment to premium customer service that keeps their clients loyal. Extensive capabilities combined with a focus on service also means TECO can manufacture custom flowmeter solutions to meet the demands of severe applications.

• Low cost, rapid restoration of magnetic flowmeters, mass flowmeters and other instruments
• Pristine, like-new equipment
• Backed with the full warranty
• Customized solutions and expert customer service you can trust

It's all part of the package with TECO.

If you have failed magnetic flowmeters, Coriolis meters or other instruments, call TECO. After receiving your equipment, we'll turn around a quote in 48 hours or less. No return authorization required. To develop a customized solution for your your toughest application, contact TECO.