Groundwork is a documentary-style short film series that shines a light on the people, technology, and collaboration that drive energy operations. It’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the expertise and problem-solving required to keep the energy industry running smoothly. Whether you’re in the industry or just curious about what it takes to operate at this scale, each episode shows the dedication and innovation behind the work.
This episode follows Juan Guerra Jr., Director of Manufacturing at our Select Chemistry plant in Midland, TX. From the morning operations meeting to the QC lab to the production floor, Juan and his team respond to a customer’s sudden change in frac water chemistry, analyzing the new water, selecting a product, and running a trial batch on a quick turnaround. It’s also a story about family. Juan’s dad has been with Select for 32 years, and his brother has been here for 15. Experience what it takes to keep an in-basin manufacturing operation running in the Permian Basin, where, as Juan puts it, “we get curveballs every single day.”
About Juan Guerra Jr.
Juan Guerra Jr. first visited the Midland plant when he was about six years old. He expected to stay two or three years, get his feet wet in the oil field, and move on to a different career. Instead, the plant became home.
Now with 13 years at Select, Juan Jr. leads the team responsible for bulk manufacturing at the Midland plant, where new products developed in the R&D lab are turned into finished product, tested in the QC lab, and loaded out to customers. He credits his team’s flexibility and depth of experience for how quickly they adapt when conditions change. Outside of work, Juan Jr. is a dad of three, with two boys and a baby girl, and he’s lucky enough to see his dad and brother at work every day. His advice to those just starting out: show up to work every day, work hard, and never let anybody outwork you.