SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WellAware is a new oilfield communications and software-as-a-service company based in San Antonio, Texas. WellAware has developed proprietary software and a unique physical network in the Eagle-Ford that enables seamless, complete oilfield and pipeline monitoring for its customers. From an iPhone or iPad, Android device or Windows 8 platform, customers can keep track of exactly what is happening with their wells, pipelines, assets and equipment on a 24-hour, real time basis.
“Well monitoring information, pipeline and safety data is often unreliable and difficult to obtain due to the fact that oil and gas companies continue to be dependent on legacy communication, automation and software technologies that have seen little innovation or modernization over the past several decades,” WellAware CEO and co-founder Matt Harrison said.
“WellAware has assembled a group of industry experts, automation specialists and a world-class team of software and network engineers to transform oil field communications and be able to deliver a turn-key solution to the industry as well as gap-fill existing communication and automation shortfalls that exist in a customer’s current operation,” he said.
Harrison said WellAware’s platform increases the reliability and security of measurement data while reducing cost and making data more meaningful and actionable across a customer’s entire business through the following ways:
- Deploying the most advanced M2M data network in the world with >99% reliability;
- Data delivery and security across the enterprise;
- Interactive, map-based mobile and desktop software;
- Intuitive, 2 way control of oilfield assets; and
- Gauger-friendly, native mobile software with easy remote data entry.
Collectively, the WellAware solution offers substantial contribution to net revenue through theft prevention, optimizing work of field personnel, lowering both capital and operational expenditures and facilitating rapid adjustment of production strategies to improve Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR), Harrison said.
While WellAware’s system is not geographically restricted, customers whose operations are located within WellAware’s unique RPMATM (Random Phase Multiple Access) Eagle-Ford network receive additional advantages in data transmission, asset control and overall reliability. WellAware’s network is extremely tolerant to interference, very reliable and has the highest level of network and software security. The RPMATM network provides WellAware’s customers with significant advantages over other types of oilfield reporting systems including cellular, Mesh/900 MHz and Satellite.
Harrison, Chief Executive Officer and one of the founders of WellAware, recently led the company through a very successful capital raise to fund its start-up. Prior to WellAware, he was Vice President and Entrepreneur in Residence for InCube Labs in San Antonio and facilitated the move of three life-science start-ups from San Jose, California to San Antonio.
“WellAware is the gateway to oilfield information needed by oil and gas exploration and production companies, midstream companies, oilfield services companies and mineral owners to truly give them the power – through their mobile devices and desktops – to improve their oil and gas production and operations,” he said. “We can already tell that WellAware is increasing the reliability and security of oilfield data while reducing cost and making data much more timely and meaningful to a variety of our customers.”
Welder Exploration & Production, Inc. (“Welder”) was WellAware’s first strategic customer and has been instrumental in assisting WellAware during the early phases of network deployment, software development and return-on-investment modeling. Welder is an innovative, privately-held oil and gas exploration and production company founded in 1998 with a focus on developing and producing hydrocarbons in the South Texas and Coastal Bend regions of the state. The company is active in a number of counties, including those within the Eagle-Ford Shale.
Raymond J. Welder III, the company’s President and CEO, said, “The Welder team is on an incessant pursuit to optimize production and lower lifting costs for ourselves and our investors. Technology drives our company, and as such, I have followed the careers of the WellAware founders for several years. When they approached me about WellAware, I quickly became a believer in the company and its unique technology to solve the challenges of receiving accurate and timely data from the field.
“Welder Exploration is thrilled and honored to be the first WellAware customer,” he said. “We have worked extensively with its leadership and development teams as they have built out the E&P and remote field entry modules of the WellAware platform. We have already recognized financial benefits, improved production efficiencies and increased visibility of our entire asset base in real time. WellAware’s technology and its people are game changers."
Based upon customer response to the success of WellAware’s Eagle-Ford Shale RPMA network and initial software deployment, WellAware is building a similar network to cover the entire Permian Basin and will add other shale plays across the United States and Canada.
The company was incorporated in 2012. In addition to Harrison, members of its Board of Directors include:
- Jim Montgomery, partner with the Austin office of DLA Piper law firm and recognized as a national leader for his work with venture capital and emerging companies;
- Gene Powell, San Antonio-based real estate developer, member of the University of Texas Board of Regents, co-founder and former Chairman/CEO of AirStrip™, which uses mobile communications to deliver medical software solutions and services, and co-founder of WellAware Holdings;
- Leo Quintanilla, founder of Quintanilla Management Company, headquartered in San Antonio and the only privately-held, fully-integrated oilfield service company in the Eagle-Ford; and
- Brad West, CEO of Quintanilla Management Company
