Dark Factory Field Notes

Issue 01 · A better question before a technology comparison

Start with the decision, not the equipment

For a small oil-and-gas operator, a useful first study starts with a bounded question. Instead of “Which technology is best?”, describe the decision you need to make and what would change your choice.

1. Decision: What operating problem are you trying to understand?
2. Alternatives: Include the current approach alongside possible changes.
3. Constraints: What limits matter—available power, maintenance access, operating range or capital?
4. Evidence: Which numbers are measured, assumed or missing?
5. Next check: What information could reverse the apparent preference?

This is a framing checklist, not an equipment recommendation. Do not send confidential site data in your initial enquiry.

Use the free question-framing worksheet or explore a fictional comparison with explicit assumptions. Neither requires signup.

Your pre-FEED project decision

We develop pre-FEED Engineering Technology Selection Study (ETSS) draft proposals for small independent Alberta and British Columbia oil-and-gas businesses. Send a non-confidential project decision and your main constraint to feedback@darkfactorymaker.com. AI clarifies your requirements and prepares a bounded scope, deliverables, assumptions and proposed commercial terms. Engineering companies, EPCs, Obsidian Engineering, Tetra Tech and their affiliates are outside this prospecting campaign.

Proposals are non-binding drafts, subject to approval by Singularity Engineering Canada Ltd. human oversight. If you indicate acceptance, the exact proposal is referred to Patrick Law and Patricia Manaog for approval before any binding commitment or paid work. Customer acceptance does not authorize billing or technical use. Previously agreed free-study commitments remain honoured; there is no blanket free-study offer or automatic billing.

A first enquiry can be short

You do not need a completed technical brief. Start with three lines:

We are considering: [the decision or operating question].
Our main constraint is: [the limit that matters most].
We would find it useful to understand: [the comparison or missing information].

Use general, non-confidential descriptions. Do not include credentials, personal information about others, proprietary drawings or sensitive facility details. If the question cannot be explained safely without those details, say what kind of information would be needed rather than attaching it.

What happens after you contact us?

1. Check the fit. AI clarifies your early-stage project decision and permitted inputs.
2. Develop the draft. AI develops scope, deliverables, assumptions and proposed terms, with independent agent review and checks.
3. Refine with your feedback. You ask questions and the AI revises the non-binding draft proposal.
4. Request to proceed. Your indication of acceptance is referred to Patrick Law and Patricia Manaog for human oversight approval before any binding commitment or paid work. Separate professional review remains required before engineering use.

Requesting a study does not subscribe you to the newsletter. Send a non-confidential first enquiry, or use the optional worksheet if you want more structure.

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