In July 2020, EnerG-ID Solutions Corporation (EIDS) of Denver, Colorado, teamed up with the Lamar University Center for Midstream Management and Science (CMMS or Midstream Center) to pursue EIDS’s Data Advancement Program, designed to help finalize the development of EIDS's man-portable rapid DNA testing equipment and build information on damaging microbes living in energy systems across the United States.

EIDS uses rapid DNA analysis in real-time to bio-identify microbes that cause corrosion and harm hydrocarbon production, transportation, storage, refining, and consumption.

“When we learned of EIDS’s new, man-portable, rapid DNA sequencing technology and its potential to help dramatically reduce microbe-driven corrosion in hydrocarbon systems, we wanted to know more,” Thomas Kalb, director of Lamar University’s Midstream Center said.

Since its inaugural year of field operations, a large catalog of corrosion-causing flora and fauna in hydrocarbon systems has been identified by EIDS as it collected data and mapped microbes in upstream, midstream, and downstream hydrocarbon systems.

“To date, we have specifically identified over 100 genera of damaging microbes, which exist in the hydrocarbon production to consumption chain, fine-tuned rapid field-testing equipment and are delivering this new capability to industry and government,” John Mork, EIDS chief executive officer said. “Earlier in development, to ensure that the broadest range of microbes was detected, we partnered with a select group of companies and universities for the development of the initial field-testing equipment. We continue to be truly pleased to work with LU’s Midstream Center in this effort.”

The second chapter of the relationship between EIDS and CMMS has now begun with EIDS sharing a portion of its enormous database on energy system microbes with Lamar University. This information has been provided to LU in a manner sufficient to protect identities and confidential sources of the data. The Midstream Center has funded Dr. James Henry from the LU College of Engineering in his effort to data-mine this information in the search for facts and implications exposed by this never-before-available scientific database.

The partnership fits with the Midstream Center’s mission to promote dialogue and collaboration between industry and Lamar University, and to advance practical scientific discovery. “This collaboration advances scientific inquiry in the midstream and broader energy domain, and so we sought and won this expanded opportunity to work with EIDS,” Kalb said. “The Midstream Center appreciates this opportunity to be involved in the launching and evaluation of a new and important technological advancement in the energy field."

Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Brian Craig, whose support was critical to the development of this opportunity, commented that the College of Engineering looks forward to Dr. James’ evaluation of EIDS's DNA testing data, information that has never before been available to study. “It is truly a great opportunity for us.”