TL;DR:
- Flowstate is a software company founded by two Wyoming natives, Jerad Stack and Angie Schrader, in Casper, Wyoming.
- The company was created as a result of a partnership between Bridger Pipeline and IBM, with the goal of improving pipeline safety and preventing leaks.
- Flowstate’s software system utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data from pipeline sensors, providing real-time monitoring and reducing the occurrence of false alarms.
- A number of employees at Flowstate have transitioned from the traditional oil and gas industry to the environmental safety side of things, as the business offers a different skillset and is less cyclical compared to other aspects of the industry.
- Flowstate faces competition from 20 to 30 startups around the world attempting to solve pipeline problems, but pipeline operators are open to trying various approaches, including Flowstate’s real-time monitoring system.
Main AI News:
Wyoming Proves to be a Land of Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Two natives of Wyoming, Jerad Stack, and Angie Schrader, have founded a software company, Flowstate, in Casper. The company, which has grown to a team of 21 employees, is a testament to the fact that Cowboy State is an ideal place for businesses to thrive and succeed.
Flowstate’s innovative solution is not only making waves in the tech industry but also contributing to the safer transportation of energy products through pipelines. Despite the media’s focus on oil pipeline spills, pipelines are actually the safest mode of transportation for energy products, with the number of incidents per year ranging between 571 and 712 in the last 20 years, according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The Road to Flowstate
The story of Flowstate’s inception begins with Bridger Pipeline, one of the Casper-based True Companies that has roots dating back to the 1940s in Wyoming. In its quest to improve the safety of its pipelines and prevent leaks, Bridger teamed up with IBM software developers to create a system that would analyze detection data from its complex pipeline system using machine learning.
In 2019, Stack and Schrader, both mechanical engineers with degrees from the University of Wyoming, were brought on board to work on the AI project. Although born and raised in Wyoming, it was their first venture in the oil and gas industry. The success of the project led to the creation of Flowstate, with Stack serving as the CEO and Schrader as the Chief Operations Officer.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Flowstate has continued to grow and is looking to expand its team. With its Wyoming roots, Flowstate is proving that the state is a hub of innovation and a prime destination for businesses looking to grow and succeed.
Revolutionizing Pipeline Monitoring with AI
Flowstate is leading the charge in revolutionizing pipeline monitoring through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. By harnessing the power of the Internet of things, the company’s software system processes and analyzes data from pipeline sensors, enabling operators to make informed decisions in real time.
Data from pipeline sensors, including flow rates, pressures, fluid density, and fluid type, are transmitted through satellites, cellphones, and fiber optics and monitored by a 24/7 control center. The sheer volume of data can be overwhelming for human operators, but Flowstate’s software system offers a solution. A team of data scientists has developed machine-learning models that can detect anomalies in pipeline operations and determine the root cause of the issue.
Reducing False Alarms with AI
Flowstate’s software system minimizes the occurrence of false alarms by accurately detecting anomalies in pipeline operations. The system works similarly to how credit card companies detect fraudulent activities. With thousands of miles of pipelines transmitting data on normal operations, Flowstate has a wealth of data to work with, allowing its algorithms to improve continually.
CEO Jerad Stack explained that the vast majority of anomalies detected with Flowstate’s software are not actual leaks but rather issues with sensors, pumps, or communication equipment. By offering advanced technology, Flowstate is reducing the number of false alarms and improving the reliability of pipeline monitoring.
Second Careers in the Oil and Gas Industry
At Flowstate, a number of employees have taken a unique career path by transitioning from the traditional oil and gas industry to the environmental safety side of things. COO Angie Schrader explains that the company’s innovative solution, which uses machine learning to monitor pipelines, offers a different skill set for individuals in the industry. The business is less cyclical compared to other aspects of oil and gas, such as drilling operations, making it an attractive option for those seeking to minimize travel or to survive the cyclical nature of the work.
Flowstate is not alone in its pursuit of solving pipeline problems. CEO Jerad Stack estimates that there are approximately 20 to 30 startups around the world attempting to tackle the same issue. Despite the competition, Stack believes that pipeline operators are open to trying various approaches, including aerial monitoring with drones and other software detection systems, in addition to Flowstate’s real-time monitoring system.
Conlcusion:
Flowstate’s innovative solution for pipeline monitoring using artificial intelligence and machine learning is a game-changer in the oil and gas industry. With its focus on environmental safety, the company is providing a unique career path for individuals in the field and is poised for growth in a market filled with competition.
With its cutting-edge technology, Flowstate is addressing the need for reliable and efficient pipeline monitoring, making it an attractive option for pipeline operators looking to improve safety and prevent leaks. The company’s approach highlights the potential for AI and machine learning to revolutionize the industry, and it will be interesting to see how Flowstate continues to shape the market in the coming years.
