4 Austin companies modernizing an antiquated industry

Austin is known for plenty of things: A vibrant music scene, great food, and raucous nightlife, to name a few. What might not be as apparent is that the city also happens to be home to a wealth of innovative companies within the oil and gas business. From consolidating information for industry insiders to simplifying the logistics of the trade, the businesses address the specific industry needs that have gone neglected in the past. These are the businesses that are breathing new life into an industry with a long history. 

 

Think of it as Uber for the oil and gas industry. Like the taxi app, Qv21 makes the logistics of dispatching transportation seamless. The company’s software is compatible with Windows and Android devices and allows customers to track and communicate with the drivers of service vehicles. In addition to expediting the flow of information between drivers, dispatchers and fleet managers, Qv21’s technology also helps to reduce both costs and errors associated with transporting oil, gas and waste.   

 

When most people think of oil and gas, they envision hands-on labor, but DrillingInfo focuses on delivering the facts. As the name suggests, DrillingInfo gathers and shares information about the industry to its massive base of customers. It’s not exactly a startup at this point – the company has been around since 1999 – but growth and change are two of its main objectives. DrillingInfo has been named one of INC 5000’s fastest-growing companies multiple times.  

 

 

This young company (it launched in 2014) brings high-tech solutions to the members of the oil and gas industry. By utilizing mobile and cloud technology, Oil Patch Pro shares oilfield location data with oil and gas operators and oilfield service companies. Mobile and web apps make this service accessible on the go. 

In less than one year, this tech-focused company has successfully gained both media attention and investor interest. From seeking out vendors to ensuring the safety of all equipment, RigUp’s clients can manage all the logistics involved with working on an oil rig via the company’s software. Once the process is complete, users can easily provide reviews and feedback for other oil and gas professionals.