Chevron Technical Center, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), and ZL Chemicals Ltd have announced a technology licensing agreement allowing ZL Chemicals to commercialize a chemical surfactant technology developed by Chevron.

Under the agreement, ZL Chemicals will market products and services using the licensed technology under the Vantis brand. The technology is intended for use in shale and tight reservoirs, with applications including base well enhanced oil recovery programs and new well-optimization efforts.

Chevron will retain rights to continue developing its own next-generation surfactant technology, while ZL Chemicals will handle commercialization of the products covered under the current agreement.

"Technology creates more value when it can be applied broadly," said Ryder Booth, chief technology and engineering officer of Chevron Corporation. "Advanced chemicals are one of Chevron's areas of differentiation and have supported innovation in our own operations. Through this licensing agreement, we're creating a pathway for ZL to bring this technology to a broader market, and at scale."

Echo Liu, president of ZL Chemicals, said the company is positioned to deliver the technology as a service covering lab evaluation, quality assurance, application design, on-site deployment, and field execution.

ZL Chemicals describes itself as a provider of enhanced oil recovery chemistry and field services, with operations spanning polymer and surfactant systems, engineered deployment technologies, and field service programs.