Richardson Energy Group Expands with Move

Freese and Nichols is expanding its Energy Group in Richardson, Texas. This week, the company signed a 92-month lease for a 13,438-square-foot site in Greenway Plaza III at 2100 Lakeside Boulevard. The move will help Freese and Nichols meet increased demand for the firm’s natural gas and oil pipeline services. Occupancy of the site, which is roughly double the size of the firm’s current Richardson location, is anticipated at the end of 2011.

“Freese and Nichols has a solid reputation throughout the oil and gas industry due to the high quality of our work and our focus on customer service,” said Mark Lane, P.E., oil and natural gas engineering group manager, for Freese and Nichols. “As shale activity progresses, we are experiencing substantial demand for our expertise and services. Our new site allows us to meet current and anticipated growth so we may continue serving this industry for many years to come.”

In April 2011, Freese and Nichols acquired Nicol & Associates, a Richardson-based provider of comprehensive engineering services to the oil and gas industry. This strategic acquisition allowed the firm to increase its presence in the oil and gas industry by expanding its capabilities to provide a full range of services for producers and midstream clients in the Barnett and Eagle Ford Shales. 

The combination of these two highly respected companies created a demand beyond original expectations, resulting in the need for a larger space. Within six months, the firm hit its maximum capacity in the Richardson office with 26 employees. Freese and Nichols will move these employees to the new location, and anticipates adding 10-12 new positions by the end of 2013, most likely mechanical and chemical engineers, CAD technicians and designers.

“We are pleased to have a company as highly regarded as Freese and Nichols decide to remain in and expand in Richardson,” said Richardson Mayor Bob Townsend. “Much as Richardson is a magnet for innovative high-tech firms, we also believe Richardson is a great location for professional services firms such as Freese and Nichols due to our sophisticated workforce, strong educational institutions that are developing the next generation of engineers, access to key Metroplex business centers and our outstanding office facilities. It’s also worth noting that, in addition to the oil and gas focus of Freese and Nichols’ Richardson office, our city is also home to a number of oil and gas consulting and exploration firms, as well as the worldwide headquarters of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.”

The company chose to remain in Richardson in part due to its deep ties to the community. In addition to the long-term presence of Nicol & Associates in Richardson, Freese and Nichols has worked closely with the City on various stormwater and wastewater projects. Richardson also remains an attractive location for Freese and Nichols due to its convenient access to the DART light rail line.

“Several of our employees travel between Freese and Nichols’ Dallas and Richardson offices, so finding a location along the DART rail line was extremely important,” Lane said. “The site at Greenway Plaza will accommodate our growth and was conducive to the many wishes of our team members.”

Harold Ginsburg of SASCO Realty represented Freese and Nichols in the transaction; Jeff Wood of Peloton Commercial Real Estate represented Greenway Plaza.