Sulfur Recovery Engineering
Sulfur Recovery Engineering (SRE) is a Calgary-based engineering services firm founded in 1998 that delivers on-site performance evaluation, rapid sampling, troubleshooting, and consulting for sulfur recovery units and amine treating systems at gas plants, refineries, and petrochemical facilities worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sulfur Recovery Engineering does
Sulfur Recovery Engineering Inc. (SRE) is a Calgary, Alberta-based engineering field-testing and consulting firm founded in 1998 that serves gas plants, refineries, and petrochemical facilities worldwide. The company's core offering is on-site Performance Evaluation for Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs), Amine Treating Units, Tail Gas Treating Units (TGTUs), and Sour Water Strippers (SWS), priced at approximately $35,000 per evaluation and comprising sample collection, rapid compositional analysis, tuned process simulation, and engineering reporting. SRE also delivers rapid-response troubleshooting, startup/shutdown support, and a "Next Plane Out" emergency mobilization service that places its engineers on client sites within 24 hours.
SRE's technical differentiation rests on Micro Gas Chromatography (Micro-GC) instrumentation that delivers compositional results in 4-5 minutes versus 30+ minutes for conventional lab methods, paired with process simulation using VMG Symmetry software that the firm has tuned against 20+ years of accumulated field-testing data from sulfur and amine units globally. The team holds over 100 years of combined experience, including named experts such as John O'Connell (Team Leader), Elmo Nasato (8 patents, 42 papers, 73+ conference presentations), and Patrick E. Holub (multiple patents, former GPA Board President), and SRE reports a zero-incident safety record since inception in hazardous sour gas environments. SRE is reportedly the only firm in oil and gas offering both "bulk" and "trace" on-site ammonia analysis.
SRE operates a professional-services revenue model with four streams: on-site performance evaluations (~$35,000 each), lab testing services sold via an online store ($2,000-$4,000 per test), in-person training courses ($2,600 per person), and emergency mobilization engagements. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales with global field deployment, supplemented by content marketing (blog, free webinars), the member-only Sulfur Space community platform, and conference presence at SOGAT and SulGas. In January 2023, SRE was acquired by AIMS Group of Companies and continues to operate under the SRE brand within that parent group.
Sulfur Recovery Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sulfur Recovery Engineering
- Legal name
- Sulfur Recovery Engineering Inc.
- Website
- https://sulfurrecovery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sulfur Recovery Engineering (SRE) is a Calgary-based engineering services firm founded in 1998 that delivers on-site performance evaluation, rapid sampling, troubleshooting, and consulting for sulfur recovery units and amine treating systems at gas plants, refineries, and petrochemical facilities worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sulfur Recovery Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sulfur Recovery Engineering & Consulting
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations (213112), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)
- SIC
- Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sulfur Recovery & Acid Gas Treatment (SRU, Tail Gas Treating, Amine Units) (EUALAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Acid Gas Handling & Sulfur Recovery (Amine/Claus/TGTU) (EUALACAF)
Keywords
Where Sulfur Recovery Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sulfur Recovery Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- On-site Performance Evaluation and Field Testing: Comprehensive on-site performance evaluations for SRUs, Amine Units, SWS, and TGTUs involving sample collection, compositional analysis, simulation, and engineering reporting. Priced at approximately $35,000 per evaluation as referenced in blog content.
- Lab Testing Services (Online Store): Online ordering of lab tests including Detailed Amine Analysis with Expert Review ($4,000), Foam Testing + Base Report ($2,000), and Sample Sets ($978.88). Clients ship samples to SRE's lab for analysis.
- On-site Training Seminars: In-person training courses for sulfur recovery and amine unit operations, priced at $2,600 USD per person. Training covers SRU operations, amine treating, troubleshooting, and process simulation.
- Emergency and Rapid Mobilization Services: 24/7 emergency troubleshooting, shutdown/startup support, and remote operation monitoring services with rapid mobilization capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | In-person training course per attendee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Detailed Amine Analysis with Expert Review |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foaming Test + Base Report |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sample Set for Amine Testing |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Performance Evaluation per SRU/Ammonia Unit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sulfur Recovery Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sulfur Recovery Engineering (SRE) provides on-site engineering field testing, performance evaluation, sampling and analysis, troubleshooting, process simulation, lab testing, and operator training services for Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs), Amine Treating Units, Tail Gas Treating Units (TGTUs), and Sour Water Strippers at gas plants, refineries, and adjacent industrial facilities worldwide. Its flagship offering is a comprehensive Performance Evaluation that combines rapid on-site compositional analysis (via Micro-GC), tuned process simulation in VMG's Symmetry software, and engineering recommendations, with emergency rapid-mobilization response.
Product overview
Sulfur Recovery Engineering (SRE) provides a comprehensive suite of engineering field testing and consulting services for sulfur recovery and amine processing operations. The company offers Performance Evaluation Services as its core offering, combined with Sampling and Analysis, Operations Support, Engineering Support, Lab Testing Services, Training Services, and Process Simulation Services. These services work together to help clients optimize sulfur recovery processes, maintain amine treating units, and ensure regulatory compliance in gas plants and refineries worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Performance Evaluation Services Comprehensive health-check engagements for Sulfur Recovery Units, Amine Treating Units, TGTUs, and SWS units, combining on-site sampling, Micro-GC compositional analysis, tuned process simulation in VMG Symmetry, and engineering recommendations; priced at approximately $35,000 per evaluation.
- Sampling and Analysis Rapid on-site sampling and compositional analysis of gas and liquid streams using Micro-GC technology, returning results in 4–5 minutes for gas plants and refineries.
- Operations Support Comprehensive operational support including troubleshooting, shutdown and startup assistance, and remote monitoring for amine plants, SRUs, and tail gas treating units.
- Engineering Support Expert engineering services including design consultation, technology selection, process simulation, SRU capacity studies, and HAZOP reviews for sulfur recovery and amine units.
- Lab Testing Services Laboratory testing services including Detailed Amine Analysis ($4,000), Foam Testing with Base Report ($2,000), and Amine Material Compatibility Testing; clients ship samples to SRE's lab.
- Training Services On-site 4-day training programs for sulfur recovery units, amine units, and process simulation using Symmetry software, with customized offerings for plant-specific configurations, priced at $2,600 USD per person.
- Process Simulation Services Steady-state and dynamic SRU/Amine process simulation using VMGSim/Symmetry software, enabling tuned SRU modeling and performance predictions for troubleshooting and design.
Quantifiable outcome
- Recovery efficiency restored to above 98% license limit following condenser leak and pump repairs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sulfur Recovery Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sulfur Recovery Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Sulfur Recovery Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AIMS Group of CompaniescoreSRE was acquired by AIMS Group of Companies. The acquisition was announced and positions SRE as part of a larger group while continuing to operate under the Sulfur Recovery Engineering brand. The acquisition was disclosed in January 2023 via the SRE Announcements page.
- Brimstone (Vail Sulfur Recovery Symposium)coreSRE and Brimstone announced a Strategic Alliance. Elmo Nasato, SRE's lead instructor, serves as lead instructor and moderator for the Brimstone Vail Sulfur Recovery Symposium. The alliance involves knowledge sharing and industry leadership in sulfur recovery.
- Virtual Materials Group (VMG)coreSRE partnered with Virtual Materials Group to use VMG's Symmetry software (formerly VMGSim) for tuned SRU and Amine Unit process simulation. SRE uses over 20 years of accumulated field-testing data combined with VMG's simulation engine to build high-fidelity process models for troubleshooting, optimization, and design. SRE also offers VMG simulation training to clients.
- GPA (Gas Processors Association)minorSRE team members have served on the GPA Board of Directors. Patrick E. Holub served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the GPA Board and received the 2008 GPA Recognition Award. SRE individuals are also involved with the Laurence Reid Gas Conditioning Conference as Senior Advisors and Board Members.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sulfur Recovery Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Trimeric Corporation: Trimeric is a specialty chemical engineering consultancy focused on gas treating, amine systems, and sulfur recovery process design and troubleshooting. It is one of the closest direct competitors to SRE, serving the same gas processing and refining customers with comparable field-and-simulation-based engineering services.
- Bryan Research & Engineering (BRE): BRE is a process engineering consultancy that develops and licenses the ProMax simulation suite, used heavily in gas processing, amine treating, and sulfur recovery design. It overlaps with SRE on simulation-driven performance optimization and troubleshooting for SRU and amine unit clients.
- Optimized Gas Treating, Inc. OGT specializes in gas treating and sulfur recovery consulting, including amine system troubleshooting and process optimization for refineries and gas plants. It is a tightly comparable niche competitor serving the same client base with similar field-and-simulation methodologies.
- S&B Engineers and Constructors: S&B is a privately held EPC firm with deep refining and gas processing expertise, including sulfur recovery unit design, construction, and revamp work. It competes for engineering and field services engagements that overlap with SRE's SRU and amine unit support offerings.
- Maverick Engineering and Consulting: Maverick Engineering is a small specialty firm providing sulfur recovery and amine treating consulting, troubleshooting, and performance testing for the refining and gas processing industries. It is a closely comparable niche competitor to SRE in the North American market.
Broad incumbents
- Worley: Worley is a global EPC and energy services firm with extensive sulfur recovery, amine treating, and refinery O&M offerings. It competes for adjacent engineering and operations support work and represents the kind of large incumbent that could bundle or internalize SRE-style specialty services.
- Jacobs Solutions: Jacobs is a large global professional services firm providing engineering, consulting, and field services across refining, gas processing, and chemicals. Its broad portfolio overlaps with SRE's refinery and gas plant engineering support work at the project level.
- Honeywell UOP: Honeywell UOP is a leading licensor of sulfur recovery (Claus, SCOT) and amine treating process technologies for refineries and gas plants. It competes indirectly with SRE through proprietary process design, technology licensing, and bundled advisory services.
- Sulzer GTC Technology: Sulzer GTC provides licensed process technologies and engineering services for gas treating and sulfur recovery, including amine systems and tail gas treating. It is a broad incumbent that competes for technology selection and process design work adjacent to SRE's troubleshooting and optimization services.
Others
- Virtual Materials Group (VMG): VMG develops the Symmetry/VMGSim process simulation software that SRE uses and resells training for. While not a direct competitor, VMG is a strategic technology partner and adjacent ecosystem player that could potentially expand into services overlapping with SRE's simulation-based advisory practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sulfur Recovery Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceSulfur Recovery Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sulfur Recovery Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sulfur Recovery Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sulfur Recovery Engineering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sulfur Recovery Engineering
What does Sulfur Recovery Engineering do?
Sulfur Recovery Engineering (SRE) provides on-site engineering field testing, performance evaluation, sampling and analysis, troubleshooting, process simulation, lab testing, and operator training services for Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs), Amine Treating Units, Tail Gas Treating Units (TGTUs), and Sour Water Strippers at gas plants, refineries, and adjacent industrial facilities worldwide. Its flagship offering is a comprehensive Performance Evaluation that combines rapid on-site compositional analysis (via Micro-GC), tuned process simulation in VMG's Symmetry software, and engineering recommendations, with emergency rapid-mobilization response.
Is Sulfur Recovery Engineering a public or private company?
Sulfur Recovery Engineering is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Sulfur Recovery Engineering founded?
Sulfur Recovery Engineering was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sulfur Recovery Engineering based?
Sulfur Recovery Engineering is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Sulfur Recovery Engineering make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. On-site Performance Evaluation and Field Testing is the primary driver. The others are lab Testing Services (Online Store), on-site Training Seminars and emergency and Rapid Mobilization Services.
Who are Sulfur Recovery Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Trimeric Corporation, Bryan Research & Engineering (BRE), Optimized Gas Treating, Inc., S&B Engineers and Constructors and Maverick Engineering and Consulting. Broad incumbents are Worley, Jacobs Solutions, Honeywell UOP and Sulzer GTC Technology. Virtual Materials Group (VMG) is listed as an others.
Does Sulfur Recovery Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sulfur Recovery Engineering.
What industry is Sulfur Recovery Engineering in?
Sulfur Recovery Engineering's product category is Sulfur Recovery Engineering & Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUALAGAH, Sulfur Recovery & Acid Gas Treatment (SRU, Tail Gas Treating, Amine Units), with a secondary code of EUALACAF, Acid Gas Handling & Sulfur Recovery (Amine/Claus/TGTU). Its NAICS code is 213112 and its SIC code is 1389.