SentinAL Drives is a cutting-edge product from Orbital Traction, built on the company's proprietary mechanical adjustable speed drive technology. Designed to optimize oil and gas rod pump systems, SentinAL Drives increases production rates and improves margins with minimal rework or system overhaul.
SentinAL Drives benefits from the expertise of Orbital Traction’s leadership team, which brings over 100 years of combined oilfield technology experience. With a deep understanding of the challenges operators face, our team is committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive real-world results.
At Orbital Traction, we are dedicated to providing the next generation of energy technologies that empower operators to enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and maximize profitability. SentinAL Drives is a prime example of this commitment in action.
Stuart Schaaf
Stuart has 30 years of electrical and electro-mechanical engineering design, technology development, product commercialization and management experience. Stuart started Orbital and developed a methodology to accelerate innovation and facilitate technology transfer through the identification of cross-industry problem solution sets.
Stuart identified the Orbital ASD as a breakthrough technology for the oilfield services industry and led the implementation of the ASD in a low cost, advanced drilling system for TerraVici Drilling Solutions. Prior to that, as a program manager for Schlumberger, Stuart was responsible for the design and implementation of several advanced drilling systems. He holds an M.S.E.E. (Marquette University) and B.S.E.E. (University of Wisconsin), is named as an inventor on 11 patents and/or pending applications and is an accomplished entrepreneur.
Pat Bixenman
Pat is a highly experienced manager in Product Development, Manufacturing and Oilfield Services. Pat’s management experience includes being Chief Administrative Officer for C&J Energy Services with the mandate to implement systems to drive down G&A costs by implementing financial accountability and improving processes. Several technology improvements were commissioned that improved service, reduced cost and were compatible with the corporate ERP system.
Pat worked at Schlumberger for 27 years in product development and manufacturing roles for several product lines. Pat joined C&J Energy Services as the President of Research & Technology. His role was to start a technology division from the ground up focused on reducing cost of operations and improving operational efficiencies. The technology division grew to over 200 employees with product sales of approximately $80 million per year in 2018 and generated millions of dollars in savings annually.
Micah Schutz
Micah is a results-driven manufacturing and product development leader with 25 years of experience in developing and delivering technologies in the oil and gas industry, specializing in global operations. At Schlumberger, Micah led multi-functional teams as Director of Manufacturing Performance, overseeing Digital tools, Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives, and process governance across 60+ centers in 15 countries.
As VP of Artificial Lift – Engineering and Manufacturing, he directed a 1,900+ workforce across 30+ manufacturing and maintenance centers. A hands-on leader, Micah also launched a greenfield Electric Submersible Pump plant in the middle of Siberia and managed manufacturing centers in the US, Norway, Saudi, Dubai, and Canada for the Production and Well Construction divisions of Schlumberger.
His leadership experience extends to the operational and cultural integration of two companies post-acquisition as well as serving as the HR Director for the 10,000+ employees of the Technology organization.
Kevin Shaber
Kevin has lead product development across several engineering disciplines for over 20 years. He developed weight reduction, safety improvement, and world-first manufacturing processes for McNeilus. He brought a wholly new truck platform to the North American market for Putzmeister with partners in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Primarily engineering heavy trucks, his experience has always been closely linked to his customers. He has coordinated sales, service and marketing through first-hand customer interaction and relationships.
Kevin is named in 4 patents and pending applications. He holds a B.S.M.E. (University of Idaho), M.B.A. (St. Mary's University) and is a licensed P.E. in Texas. Kevin has released many new truck platforms and sub-systems into US, Canada, and Mexico markets. He has built manufacturing operations in the US, Mexico, and China and leveraged supply chain partners in Europe and India.
Jeff Neely
Jeff is an accomplished mechanical engineer and management consultant. He started his engineering career designing wireline technology at Baker Hughes then transitioned to designing nuclear logging-while-drilling technology at Halliburton. After 8 years in R&D, he pivoted to a career in management consulting at McKinsey & Company where he worked on strategy and implementation engagements for clients throughout the United States in industries as varied as household appliances, solar panels, private jets, and pharmaceuticals. He later was a director at Darcy Partners – a growing energy technology market research firm – where he managed relationships with energy clients in North America and beyond to identify new technologies across drilling, completions, and production operations as well as sustainability and energy transition domains.
Jeff earned his B.S.M.E. from the University of Florida, his M.S.M.E. from the University of Southern California, and his M.B.A. from UT Austin. Jeff is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Texas and is the inventor of 4 patents.