teaming up for tech

Houston company's new joint venture to bring AI into upstream

The companies say their partnership is “aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of science-backed decision-making in the upstream energy industry.” Photo via Getty Images

Houston-based GeoMark Research and Peachtree Corners, Georgia-based Senslytics have formed a joint venture that will bring AI-fueled data and analysis to the upstream energy industry.

GeoMark Research provides geochemical and PVT (pressure, volume, temperature) data and analysis, while Senslytics produces AI software for the energy industry. The companies say their partnership is “aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of science-backed decision-making in the upstream energy industry.”

Among other things, the joint venture will:

  • Combine GeoMark’s geochemical and PVT data repository with Senslytics’ AI algorithms to develop applications for various aspects of fluid property estimation during the drilling process.
  • Provide tools that help subject matter experts “train” AI tools for data-driven decision-making.
  • Contribute to thought leadership in the AI and geochemical/PVT sectors through vehicles such as conferences, webinars, and publications.

“GeoMark Research is passionate about using our data and expertise to advance subsurface fluid understanding. Faster, better information improves our customers’ free cash flow. We are thrilled to partner with Senslytics and embark on this transformative journey together,” Ethan Brown, president of GeoMark, says in a news release.

Blake Bixler, CEO of Senslytics, adds: “Together, we will push the boundaries of what AI can achieve by unlocking insights from our two companies’ technical experts.”

GeoMark was founded in 1991 with the goal of performing regional oil studies in newly explored basins.

Today, the company operates three labs that provide geochemical services, studies, and databases. The labs are in Houston, Humble, and Lafayette, Louisiana.

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A View From HETI

Solugen has named James Begeal, with more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, as its new president of energy and water. Photo courtesy Solugen.

Houston-based biochemical producer Solugen has hired chemical industry veteran James Begeal as its new president of energy and water.

In his new position, Begeal leads the commercial strategy for the energy and produced-water sectors, “bringing our innovative chemistry directly to leading oil and gas operators, accelerating revenue growth, and deepening our commercial pipeline,” Solugen said in a news release.

Begeal has more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, including roles at oilfield technology company Baker Hughes and chemical company Clariant. In 2016, he co-founded NexGen Chemical Technologies, a Cypress-based provider of alternative natural-gas sweeteners. Begeal served as chief operating officer and chief technology officer at NexGen, which was acquired by League City-based Foremark Performance Chemicals in 2023. He then joined Foremark, which was acquired by investment firm CC Industries in 2024.

Begeal is no stranger to Solugen, having previously served as a company advisor.

“James is a builder — he knows what it takes to launch, scale, and win in this space,” says Solugen CEO Gaurab Chakrabarti. “We’re excited to have him bring that same builder’s mindset to Solugen as we double down on delivering solutions that meet our customers’ toughest challenges.”

The company also recently named Carlos Diaz as its new VP of strategy and international business. Diaz worked for 18 years at Baker Hughes and will lead Solugen's commercial expansion efforts into Latin America and beyond, according to a company representative.

Solugen, founded in 2016, raised $357 million in a series C venture capital round. The 2021 round catapulted Solugen into the unicorn category, meaning the private company is valued at more than $1 billion.

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