The fever generated by the Lucas gusher at Spindletop, Texas, would not have been possible had it not been for the introduction of the steam- powered rotary drilling rig and the need to drill faster and deeper. These demands necessitated the development of a circulating fluid to clear the hole and clean the bit.

By the mid 1930s, Baroid had developed the mobile laboratory concept, becoming the first supplier to bring extensive fluids testing capabilities to the wellsite. In 1947, James D. Fann applied for his first patent on a Viscosity Measuring Device. The course of two companies, Baroid Testing equipment and Fann Instrument Operations, whose common bond was providing instrumentation for the analysis of drilling fluids, were destined to merge. Over the next four decades, Fann experienced even more growth in its products and systems, testing capabilities, and expansion in to the international marketplace.

Fann has grown into a world wide supplier of instrumentation, and fluid analysis systems for oil and gas well drilling, cementing, fracturing, completion and workover operations. Fann also offers a complete line of testing equipment and products for other types of drilling operations, including waterwell, geothermal, geotechnical, minerals exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Early Technology