Vivione Biosciences Inc. ("Vivione") (VBI), announced today that it has sold the first of multiple RAPID-B systems for oilfield applications to AES Water Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HII Technologies. AES Water Solutions has deployed the RAPID-B system to its Eagle Ford and Permian Basins oil and gas operations to assess bacteria in pond, frac, and flow back water. Water pumped underground during the hydraulic fracturing process is often laden with bacteria, causing reservoir contamination and equipment damage. These fracturing fluids include materials like plant based gelling agents and other organic components that can be used as a food source for bacteria. Left untreated, bacterial contamination can create complications including corrosion of pipes, clogged wells, and infrastructure damage. These impediments can slow down production operations leading to costly remediation. It is far easier to kill bacteria in the frac fluids than remediate bacteria related problems in the formation or reservoir. To explain the scope of the problem, there are over 2,000 active fracturing rigs in US and Canada that are being moved about every 30 days. Each rig per location is using an estimated 4 to 6 million gallons of water, which need to be monitored and treated. According to the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) estimates total costs attributed to all types of corrosion are upwards of $200B. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is estimated to account for as much as 40-50% of all internal corrosion.
RAPID-B answers the energy industry's need for a rapid, cost effective, onsite system that accurately enumerates the viable bacteria present in a fluid sample within 20 minutes of taking the sample. The RAPID-B system can provide valuable information that helps the operator treat each individual fluid source across the entire life span of a well; beginning with the drilling process and continuing on through the fracing, production and post-production cycles.
According to Kevin Kuykendall, Vivione's CEO, "Given our expertise in food safety and clinical applications, we believe if we treat oil wells with the same sensitivity that we do in testing meat, blood and urine, for the presence of dangerous pathogens, we can help oil and gas operators minimize and avoid costly complications. When we entered the Oil & Gas market with our innovative RAPID-B system, our strategy was to partner with forward-thinking, industry thought-leaders with a reference customer base who could readily appreciate the many benefits of our system. We strongly believe that AES Water Solutions is one of those organizations. We are very impressed with AES Waters' technology prowess and strong commitment to protecting the environment and their customers' assets. Their focus on using quantitative testing methods to assure their customers treatment plans are cost effective and individualized to meet the unique needs of each job. AES utilizes the AES HydroFlow chemical-free bacteria removal system on location to reduce bacteria encountered in ponds, tanks and during water transfer, prior to applying biocides. AES is employing the Rapid-B to analyze a baseline bacteria count in the water and subsequent remainder bacteria after treatment. The operator and stimulation service company have documented bacteria counts to determine the chemical dosing based on in-field data, which is a valuable improvement in the process, while saving considerable cost for bacteria removal. By using the RAPID-B technology, AES is setting themselves apart from other water management companies and oilfield service providers."
Mr. Kuykendall continued, "Due to the oil and gas industry facing current downward pricing pressures, it is imperative that operators and service companies are truly effective with water management activities. Microbial contamination can dramatically add to operating costs, asset replacement expenses, and curtail the ability to re-use water. Our strategic partnership with AES will deliver innovative technology to best address this significant issue."
Brent Mulliniks, AES Water Solutions President stated, "The challenge with any new, disruptive technology is to be able to quickly prove that it works. Studies and papers are great but there is nothing more powerful than taking a customer's sample and performing an immediate analysis in real time, on site, to show the nature and magnitude of the problem. We can then apply our technologies to kill bacteria and minutes later show that the customer's problem is solved using the RAPID-B system to prove the efficacy of our treatment technology. This gives our customers a lot of confidence and reinforces our image as being a technology and solutions driven organization."
Mr. Mulliniks continued, "AES Water Solutions is a total solutions provider for water management and oilfield services whose approach to water management is differentiate its frac water management services with new technologies enhancing value to its customers. The RAPID-B reinforces our ability to promptly provide customized customer solutions and prove their effectiveness on site in real time. Not only are AES's and Vivione's technologies highly compatible, our corporate cultures are as well, making for a powerful combination."
RAPID-B answers the energy industry's need for a rapid, cost effective, onsite system that accurately enumerates the viable bacteria present in a fluid sample within 20 minutes of taking the sample. The RAPID-B system can provide valuable information that helps the operator treat each individual fluid source across the entire life span of a well; beginning with the drilling process and continuing on through the fracing, production and post-production cycles.
According to Kevin Kuykendall, Vivione's CEO, "Given our expertise in food safety and clinical applications, we believe if we treat oil wells with the same sensitivity that we do in testing meat, blood and urine, for the presence of dangerous pathogens, we can help oil and gas operators minimize and avoid costly complications. When we entered the Oil & Gas market with our innovative RAPID-B system, our strategy was to partner with forward-thinking, industry thought-leaders with a reference customer base who could readily appreciate the many benefits of our system. We strongly believe that AES Water Solutions is one of those organizations. We are very impressed with AES Waters' technology prowess and strong commitment to protecting the environment and their customers' assets. Their focus on using quantitative testing methods to assure their customers treatment plans are cost effective and individualized to meet the unique needs of each job. AES utilizes the AES HydroFlow chemical-free bacteria removal system on location to reduce bacteria encountered in ponds, tanks and during water transfer, prior to applying biocides. AES is employing the Rapid-B to analyze a baseline bacteria count in the water and subsequent remainder bacteria after treatment. The operator and stimulation service company have documented bacteria counts to determine the chemical dosing based on in-field data, which is a valuable improvement in the process, while saving considerable cost for bacteria removal. By using the RAPID-B technology, AES is setting themselves apart from other water management companies and oilfield service providers."
Mr. Kuykendall continued, "Due to the oil and gas industry facing current downward pricing pressures, it is imperative that operators and service companies are truly effective with water management activities. Microbial contamination can dramatically add to operating costs, asset replacement expenses, and curtail the ability to re-use water. Our strategic partnership with AES will deliver innovative technology to best address this significant issue."
Brent Mulliniks, AES Water Solutions President stated, "The challenge with any new, disruptive technology is to be able to quickly prove that it works. Studies and papers are great but there is nothing more powerful than taking a customer's sample and performing an immediate analysis in real time, on site, to show the nature and magnitude of the problem. We can then apply our technologies to kill bacteria and minutes later show that the customer's problem is solved using the RAPID-B system to prove the efficacy of our treatment technology. This gives our customers a lot of confidence and reinforces our image as being a technology and solutions driven organization."
Mr. Mulliniks continued, "AES Water Solutions is a total solutions provider for water management and oilfield services whose approach to water management is differentiate its frac water management services with new technologies enhancing value to its customers. The RAPID-B reinforces our ability to promptly provide customized customer solutions and prove their effectiveness on site in real time. Not only are AES's and Vivione's technologies highly compatible, our corporate cultures are as well, making for a powerful combination."