OSP
OSP Microcheck is a Calgary-based specialty chemical company that develops and supplies EPA/PMRA-registered biocide products and microbial diagnostics for oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment operators across North America via direct sales and distributor channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OSP does
OSP Microcheck is a Calgary-based specialty chemical company founded in 1988 by Michael McLennan that develops and supplies microbial control solutions — primarily biocides — for the oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment sectors across North America. Its product portfolio spans liquid biocide chemistries (glutaraldehyde, bronopol/2K7, DBNPA/DB7, quaternary amines, isothiazolinone, MBO, and specialty alternatives such as THPS, PAA, THNM, DMO, and Dazomet) and differentiated solid biocide formats (2K7 and DB7 series in water-soluble packs, Bugsticks, Slimsticks, and granular), all EPA- and PMRA-registered. The company historically layered microbial diagnostics — DNA qPCR targeting functional microbial groups (SRB, methanogens, IOB/IRB, micH/micC biomarkers), 16S rRNA sequencing, ATP testing, culture media testing per NACE TM0194-2014/API-38, and kill studies — over its chemical programs, though it divested its ATP testing division (LifeCheck) in 2025 and now coordinates advanced analytical testing through a network of partner laboratories.
OSP operates a B2B sales-led model, selling directly through its Calgary and Houston offices and via chemical distributor networks, with quote-based pricing tied to system volume, microbial load, and application specifics. Revenue streams include biocide product sales (one-time/licenses), microbial testing services (DNA diagnostics, culture media, kill studies), and technical advisory/consulting for program design, troubleshooting, and audits. The customer base spans upstream and midstream oil & gas operators, downstream fuel storage and terminal operators, and industrial water treatment facilities (cooling towers, pulp & paper, metalworking fluids, process water). Core problems addressed include microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), souring and H2S generation, biofouling, biofilm formation, tank corrosion, and sludge formation — with positioning that biocide spend is a low-cost input preventing multimillion-dollar asset and downtime losses.
The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors or public listing, led by President - Global Emerging Markets Brian Normoyle (functioning as CEO), President - Global Oil & Gas Dean Black, and President - Technology Shirin Fallahtafti. OSP maintains a workforce in the 11–50 employee range and operates from two North American head offices, with strategic refocusing in 2025–2026 aimed at deepening its chemical portfolio and tailored program design capabilities after exiting the ATP testing line.
OSP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OSP
- Legal name
- OSP Microcheck
- Website
- https://ospmicrocheck.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OSP Microcheck is a Calgary-based specialty chemical company that develops and supplies EPA/PMRA-registered biocide products and microbial diagnostics for oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment operators across North America via direct sales and distributor channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OSP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Microbial Control Chemicals
- NAICS
- Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural) (IMAEAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Environmental Monitoring & Cleanroom Testing (GMP) (HLAGADAL)
Keywords
Where OSP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
OSP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Biocide Product Sales: OSP generates revenue from the sale of specialty chemical products including liquid biocides (Glutaraldehyde, Bronopol, DBNPA, Quaternary Amines, combinations, Isothiazolinone, MBO, specialty formulations) and solid biocide products (2K7 and DB7 series in various delivery formats). Products are EPA and PMRA registered.
- Microbial Testing Services: Revenue from DNA testing services (qPCR and 16S sequencing), ATP testing, culture media testing, and advanced analytical testing coordinated through partner laboratories. Services include interpretive reporting and collaborative review with clients.
- Technical Advisory & Consulting: Fees for microbial program development and optimization, biocide selection and kill studies, corrosion and fouling mitigation planning, product stewardship guidance, system troubleshooting, and program performance audits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation for biocide products and testing services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
OSP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OSP (OSP Microcheck) supplies EPA/PMRA-registered liquid and solid biocide chemical programs plus microbial diagnostic testing services (DNA qPCR, 16S sequencing, culture media, kill studies) and technical advisory for oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment operators. Its core business is preventing microbiologically influenced corrosion, souring, and biofouling in industrial fluid systems.
Product overview
OSP Microcheck is a specialty chemical solutions provider offering an integrated portfolio of microbial control products and services for oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment industries. The product portfolio includes liquid biocide lines (Glutaraldehyde-based GA products, Bronopol-based 2K7 liquids, DBNPA-based DB7, Quaternary Amine compounds QD/CTAC/ADBAC, combination GQ products, Isothiazolinone CMIT, MBO-based MB7, and specialty alternatives including THPS, PAA, THNM, DMO, Dazomet) and solid biocide formats (2K7 and DB7 in WSP, Bugstick, Slimstick, and Granular forms). Testing services encompass DNA-based diagnostics (qPCR targeting functional microbial groups and 16S sequencing for full community analysis), ATP testing, Kill Studies for biocide selection, Advanced Analytical Testing through partner laboratories, and Culture Media Testing. These products and services are designed to address industry-specific challenges including microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), souring, biofouling, and biofilm formation across the energy value chain from upstream production through downstream fuel operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Glutaraldehyde Liquid Biocides (GA-50, GA-25, GA-15) Broad-spectrum non-oxidizing liquid biocides for hydraulic fracturing, drilling, completions, water flood, produced water, pipelines, storage tanks, cooling and process water; offers balanced kill speed and protection duration. For oil & gas and industrial water operators.
- Bronopol Liquid Biocides (2K7, 2K7 WM) Non-oxidizing, broad-spectrum, non-selective liquid biocide with excellent compatibility across industrial chemistries. Used in fracturing, drilling, produced water, pipelines, cooling and fuel storage systems.
- DBNPA Liquid Biocide (DB7) Rapid-acting broad-spectrum non-ionic liquid biocide for fracturing fluids, water flood, produced water, disposal wells, pipelines, storage tanks and cooling towers.
- Quaternary Amine Liquid Biocides (QD-10, QD-50, CTAC, ADBAC) Surface-adsorbing biocides effective against bacteria and algae where biofilm penetration is needed; suppresses regrowth. Applications span fracturing, produced water, water flood, pipelines, cooling towers, heat exchangers and pulp & paper mills.
- Glutaraldehyde/Quat Combination Liquids (GQ 2510, GQ 123, GQ 510, GQ 52) Dual-active biocides combining glutaraldehyde and quaternary amine for biofilm penetration and robust kill with extended protection. For oil & gas, cooling towers, heat exchangers and process water systems.
- Isothiazolinone Liquids (CMIT) Low-dosage biocide with stable performance across a wide pH range for closed-loop systems, cooling towers, process water, pulp & paper mills, metalworking fluids and the fuels industry.
- MBO Liquids (MB7, MB7 FP) Slow-release biocide containing 3,3'-Methylene-bis(5-methyloxazolidine) for long-lasting protection in fracturing, drilling, completion, hydrotesting fluids, storage tanks, pipelines and fuel water bottoms.
- Specialty & Alternative Liquid Biocides (THPS, THPC, PAA, THNM, DMO, Dazomet) Targeted biocide solutions for souring control, produced water and injection water treatment, biofilm control, cooling, wastewater, CIP/sanitation and industrial process water.
- 2K7 WSP (Water Soluble Packs) Pre-measured Bronopol-based solid biocide in water-soluble packaging (1 kg) for simplified batch application in frac, saddle, hydration, buffer and settling tanks with reduced handling risk.
- 2K7 Bugsticks Bronopol-based solid biocide in cylindrical Drop-and-Go format (118 g) placed directly into tanks, sumps or vessels for slow dissolution; minimizes operator exposure and chemical odors.
- 2K7 Slimsticks Bronopol-based solid biocide in compact Drop-and-Go format (39 g) for small-volume batch applications with simplified handling and consistent dosing.
- 2K7 Granular Bronopol-based granular solid biocide in 5-gal/19-L pail providing flexible dosage control for fracturing, drilling, completion, produced water treatment and pipeline maintenance.
- DB7 WSP (Water Soluble Packs) DBNPA-based solid biocide in water-soluble packaging (1 lb) providing rapid microbial kill for small-volume batch treatment in fracturing, drilling, water flood and produced water applications.
- DB7 Granular DBNPA-based granular solid biocide in 5-gal/19-L pail offering rapid kill with flexible dosage for fracturing, drilling, water flood, produced water, disposal wells, pipelines, storage tanks and cooling towers.
- DNA qPCR Testing Targeted quantitative PCR diagnostic detecting and quantifying specific microbial groups (SRB, sulfur cyclers, methanogens, IOB/IRB) and MIC biomarkers (micH, micC) for rapid problem identification in industrial fluid systems.
- DNA 16S Sequencing Comprehensive microbial community analysis via 16S rRNA gene sequencing reporting relative abundance, dominant genera and functional interpretation for baseline understanding and long-term strategy.
- Kill Studies (Biocide Selection Studies) Controlled laboratory evaluation testing multiple candidate biocides against a client's specific microbial population using ATP testing to identify optimal chemistry and dosage.
- Advanced Analytical Testing Comprehensive analytical capabilities via partner laboratories including hydrocarbon analysis (GC, BTEX, ICP, Karl Fischer), water analysis (IC, ICP, alkalinity, scaling), viscosity/polymer (friction loop, HPLC) and solid analysis (SEM, XRD, EDX, XRF) for root cause identification.
- Culture Media Testing Serial dilution testing to detect and estimate SRB, APB, IRB and GHB populations, conforming to NACE Standard TM0194-2014 and API-38 specifications for traditional microbial monitoring.
- Technical Advisory & Consulting Microbial program development and optimization, biocide selection, corrosion and fouling mitigation planning, product stewardship, system troubleshooting and program performance audits for industrial operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Biocides are a small cost compared to preventing multimillion-dollar losses from souring, corrosion, and downtime
Companies that use OSP
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OSP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
OSP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Strategic Partner LaboratoriescoreOSP works with a strategic network of trusted partner laboratories across North America to coordinate specialized analytical testing closer to where clients operate. This reduces sample transit times, provides faster turnaround, and offers access to specialized analytical expertise. Partner capabilities include hydrocarbon analysis (GC, ICP, Karl Fischer), water analysis (IC, ICP, alkalinity), viscosity and polymer analysis (friction loop testing, HPLC), and solid analysis (SEM, XRD, EDX, XRF).
- OilFlominorOilFlo is a customer of OSP's biocide products (2K7 Water Soluble Paks) and provides feedback on product performance in real-world applications. The relationship demonstrates OSP's ability to solve challenging microbial control problems in the Haynesville region.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OSP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Halliburton: Halliburton is a diversified oilfield services company with chemistry products for completions, production, and water management. Larger incumbent competing with OSP across the oil & gas chemistry value chain.
- Baker Hughes: Baker Hughes is a major oilfield services and equipment company with a chemistry portfolio (production, midstream, water management) serving upstream operators. Larger incumbent with adjacent chemistry offerings.
- Lubrizol: Lubrizol (Berkshire Hathaway) is a specialty chemicals manufacturer with oilfield chemistry and industrial fluid offerings. Broader incumbent with portfolio overlap in microbial control chemistries.
- Veolia Water Technologies: Veolia is a global water and waste management services group offering treatment chemicals, equipment, and service contracts to industrial and municipal customers. Broader incumbent with overlap in industrial water treatment chemistry.
Direct peers
- Solenis: Solenis is a specialty chemical manufacturer serving water-intensive industries including pulp & paper, oil & gas, and industrial water — directly comparable to OSP in industrial water treatment chemistry and the pulp & paper vertical.
- Ecolab (Nalco Water): Ecolab's Nalco Water segment is a global leader in industrial water treatment and process chemicals, directly competing with OSP in oil & gas, fuels, and industrial cooling/process water chemistries including biocides.
- Clariant Oil Services: Clariant's Oil Services business supplies specialty production chemicals, including biocides and corrosion inhibitors, to upstream and midstream operators — overlapping directly with OSP's oil & gas chemistry portfolio.
- Italmatch Chemicals: Italmatch is a specialty chemicals group serving water treatment, oil & gas, and industrial markets with biocides, scale inhibitors, and process chemicals — direct product and customer overlap with OSP.
- ChampionX (now part of SLB): ChampionX was the leading oilfield production chemistry specialist — microbial control, corrosion management, asset integrity — before its 2024 acquisition by SLB. Closest direct competitor to OSP across upstream, midstream, and downstream microbial control chemistries.
Regional players
- SUEZ (Water Technologies & Solutions, now Veolia): SUEZ provided water treatment services and specialty chemicals with strong European/EMEA presence; its Water Technologies & Solutions unit was acquired by Veolia in 2022. Regional peer with comparable water treatment chemistry offerings in markets OSP does not directly serve.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OSP social profiles
Digital presenceOSP compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
OSP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OSP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
OSP subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
OSP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OSP 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 OSP
What does OSP do?
OSP (OSP Microcheck) supplies EPA/PMRA-registered liquid and solid biocide chemical programs plus microbial diagnostic testing services (DNA qPCR, 16S sequencing, culture media, kill studies) and technical advisory for oil & gas, downstream/fuels, and industrial water treatment operators. Its core business is preventing microbiologically influenced corrosion, souring, and biofouling in industrial fluid systems.
Is OSP a public or private company?
OSP is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OSP founded?
OSP was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OSP based?
OSP is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does OSP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Biocide Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are microbial Testing Services and technical Advisory & Consulting.
Who are OSP's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Lubrizol and Veolia Water Technologies. Direct peers are Solenis, Ecolab (Nalco Water), Clariant Oil Services, Italmatch Chemicals and ChampionX (now part of SLB). SUEZ (Water Technologies & Solutions, now Veolia) is listed as a regional player.
Does OSP have an API?
No public API is recorded for OSP.
What industry is OSP in?
OSP's product category is Industrial Microbial Control Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAJAL, Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural), with a secondary code of HLAGADAL, Environmental Monitoring & Cleanroom Testing (GMP). Its NAICS code is 325613 and its SIC code is 8731.