Innovative thinkers

Born and raised in Waukesha, Wis., Ken Havlinek’s first attraction to technology was prompted by his father, who worked as an electrician. He had been fascinated by the construction and processes behind different tools and technologies. Today, Havlinek serves as V.P. and Technology Center manager for C&J Energy Services, where he helps generate and execute ideas that will benefit service companies and operators in the oil and gas industry. He said, “I found that I had a passion for mechanisms, and for engineering.” 

Ken Havlinek at C&J Energy’s R&T Center in Houston, Texas. The 95,000-ft2 R&T Center houses multiple product line engineering and manufacturing teams.

It was with that passion and vehemence that Havlinek found himself at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a BS degree, as well as an MS degree, in mechanical engineering. Prior to finishing his studies, however, Havlinek interviewed for an internship with Schlumberger. Havlinek explained, “I was given several internship opportunities, and then spent nearly 23 years at the company. I joined Schlumberger as a sophomore in college, so you could say that I grew up there.”

After serving in various R&D and technical management roles, Havlinek managed operations at the company’s Technology Center in Sugar Land, Texas. He then went to the Regional Tech Center for Heavy Oil in Calgary, Alberta.

Later, Havlinek was asked to lead Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) technology center in Abingdon, UK. Through the use of reservoir engineering software, Havlinek helped companies make important decisions regarding R&D, drilling and production. Although he had the utmost appreciation for the software, he realized that his true passion was for mechanical engineering.

Havlinek attributes some of his biggest accomplishments to his time at Schlumberger. Being an integral part of the team that developed the original modular formation dynamics tester (MDT) was among his proudest and most impressive achievements, he says.

The formation tester delivers pressure and permeability measurements, as well as high-quality fluid sampling. Using a multi-probe configuration, the MDT provides a complete evaluation of horizontal and vertical permeability, as well as formation composition. Several of Havlinek’s first patents were focused on the various technologies that went into the MDT platform.

Prior to joining C&J Energy Services in June 2015, Havlinek held leadership roles with Houston-based companies, including Probe Holdings and Foro Energy. He asserts, however, that C&J Energy Services is a company that he can grow with, and he is eager to play a positive role in its bright future.

As the industry outlook begins to improve, C&J Energy Services is eager to move past the dark days of the downturn and unveil some of its latest technology developments, such as the new vertical sand silo system. The system addresses the industry’s demand for improved air quality and worker safety near the well site during frac operations. Havlinek explained, “Working directly with our customer, we were able to create specifications, develop prototypes and perform field tests in a fraction of the time and cost, compared to similar projects I have experienced throughout my career.”

After enduring the worst of the industry downturn, C&J Energy Services announced that it had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the beginning of the year. “Coming out of bankruptcy, we can be nimble and very aggressive in technology development,” Havlinek explained. “C&J is perfectly positioned. We’re not as risk-averse, so we can really go for it.”