Day in the life: Patrick Fleming
As Permian territory manager at the SPM™ Oil & Gas Midland Service Center – the company’s largest service facility – Patrick Fleming focuses on one thing: keeping oilfield companies up and running in one of the busiest basins in the world. His day spans shop floor checks, customer calls and coordinating technicians so maintenance and turnarounds are completed punctually, safely and cost effectively.
Q: What is your background?
I have spent my career around oilfield equipment service and support. Early on, I learned how to teardown, inspect and rebuild critical components the right way. Those positions sharpened my ability to diagnose issues fast and plan work cleanly. That foundation shapes how I lead the team in Midland today.
Q: How did you start your career at spm oil & gas?
I started as a temporary iron technician in Williston, North Dakota. That role allowed me to be hands-on with frac iron and pressure control equipment, from teardown and inspection to machining and rebuilding. I built upon my flow iron experience by learning the intricacies of frac pumps and fluid ends.
Those experiences led to my first leadership role as the Rockies regional manager which enabled me to drive continuous efficiency improvements, mentor technicians and align schedules with operator needs.
SPM Oil & Gas manager: Patrick Fleming
Q: What is your current role, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I lead the in-shop and in-field aftermarket services that are conducted in the Permian Basin. In this position, I’m engaged in a broad variety of activities – sales, engineering, safety, finance and service.
My day starts with a safety check, then a walkthrough of active bays. I review teardowns, test results and job travelers, and make sure parts are kitted and staged. I stay close to scheduling and to our oilfield customers, so scopes and timelines match what the field needs. The goal is simple: quality work completed once to ensure equipment returns to the pad on time.
Technicians inspecting flow iron
Q: What’s different about the spm oil & gas service center in midland compared to others in the permian?
Primarily, the SPM Oil & Gas Service Center has greater capacity to meet the Permian’s needs; it’s our largest shop. We run dedicated pump and flow teams and separate pump and frac units, enabling technicians to specialize. We also have an electric test cell to validate performance before deployment. With fully stocked shelves and a seasoned crew, our team can provide oilfield companies with consistent high-quality fast turnarounds.
Q: Can you share an example of how the midland service center goes above and beyond for oilfield companies in the basin?
Going above and beyond starts before a call comes in. We keep common assemblies prepped, standardize our rebuild scopes, and stage rotation spares. When an oilfield company needs help, we can move quickly with a targeted plan, the right parts and the right people. This enables us to return equipment to the field ready for more than 20 hours a day of operation.
Q: How do you help oilfield companies maximize uptime cost effectively?
We help oilfield companies maximize uptime in a few ways. First, we align preventative maintenance with operating windows. We also use consistent inspection criteria and torque tracking, and we kit jobs to cut idle time. Lastly, we ensure performance in the test cell before equipment leaves the shop. That combination reduces unplanned downtime and total cost of ownership.
Q: What do you like most about working for spm oil & gas?
As part of Caterpillar, we have access to training, tooling and a broader network. Our team and the support we receive are essential, and I like being close to the work where decisions matter hour by hour. Our crew brings skill and a strong work ethic to every job, allowing us to stand behind the results.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling aspect to date in your career?
The best part of my career so far has been watching people grow — like seeing a junior tech become a lead technician and take ownership of quality. It’s also rewarding to witness how continuously improving our processes positively impacts oilfield companies, and results in earning those companies’ trust and repeat work. When a plan comes together on time, within budget and to spec, everyone wins.
Service team repairing equipment
Q: How do you anticipate the needs in midland will evolve over the next few years?
I envision faster cycles, higher expectations and increased demand for responsive service support. That means continued investment in our people and tooling, tighter planning and adaptive preventative programs. We’re committed to continuing to closely work with oilfield companies to help maximize their uptime.
Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
With three kids and another on the way, I like spending time with my family. That time usually involves cooking, entertaining and sports. I’m an avid baseball and football fan – and dedicated to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. I have the sports memorabilia collection to prove it!