Weir and Rolls-Royce Subsidiary MTU Reveal Their Joint Venture Will Be Named EPIX

Weir Oil & Gas, the world’s leading provider of upstream pressure pumping equipment, and Rolls-Royce Power Systems subsidiary MTU, a market leader in heavy-duty industrial power systems based on diesel and gas engines, have announced their joint venture is to be named EPIX. 

EPIX will provide the industry’s first integrated system for hydraulic fracturing. Commenting as the new company made its debut at OTC 2016, new EPIX CEO Douglas Schwedland said: “By leveraging the expertise of our founding companies, EPIX will initially deliver integrated power system solutions that are specifically engineered for hydraulic fracturing and then apply these same principles of integrated systems to other applications.”

Schwedland has more than 20 years’ experience in the diesel engine and business systems industries. He most recently served in the dual role of CEO of MTU Middle East FZE and business development director, Middle East, Africa and Central Asia for Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, and has held various leadership positions with Detroit Diesel Corporation, MTU Detroit Diesel, and Tognum AG.

Schwedland’s vast sales and distribution experience will lead EPIX in its mission to answer an industry demand for greater efficiency in fracturing operations.

He continued: “The industry is asking for comprehensive solutions that will remain productive in harsher, continuous operation environments, and we are answering with innovations that deliver on all levels, from productivity and efficiency to reduced total cost of ownership.”

EPIX and its founding companies have seen firsthand the demands continuous duty operations put on fracturing equipment through longer lateral runs, increasing flow rates and higher pressures.

With engine, transmission, and pump components designed to work together, EPIX’s first product offering, a purpose-built power system, will optimize longevity and performance, while lowering total cost ownership for operators during well completion operations.

The system features an MTU FracPack, (Series 4000 engine combined with ZF 8 TX gear box) coupled with the SPM® QEM 3000 hydraulic fracturing pump. ZF Friedrichshafen Group, a key supplier to the EPIX solution, developed the ZF 8 TX transmission to work seamlessly with the engine and pump as a true fully integrated system.

In addition to offering the first completely integrated system for fracking, EPIX is also committed to delivering a warranty and service promise for the life of its products. All components are designed to work together mechanically to deliver more operating hours per unit. By allowing operators to align maintenance schedules and warranties across the entire power system, downtime is reduced and efficiencies are gained.

Future enhancements for the first system include integrated monitoring controls which will provide intelligence for predictive and preventative maintenance.

Weir’s global service network will manage all aspects of maintenance and service for EPIX, bringing together the vast technical expertise of Weir, MTU and their partners for a seamless, one-stop customer experience.

“The opportunities for a streamlined system are limitless. EPIX will keep our customers productive not only with world-class products, but with a service model that streamlines maintenance for the pump, transmission, and engine. One supplier – one contract – one true partner, EPIX,” Schwedland concluded.

EPIX plans to begin operations following regulatory approvals.

About EPIX

EPIX will be a joint venture between Weir Oil & Gas and Rolls-Royce Power Systems subsidiary MTU, industry leaders in the design, development and distribution of well service pumps and heavy-duty industrial power systems based on diesel and gas engines. EPIX harnesses the expertise of its founding companies to answer an industry need for greater operational efficiency in harsher environments and the demands placed on equipment in continuous operations. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, EPIX synchronizes performance through integrated systems and service designed specifically for oil and gas projects. To learn more visit www.epixpower.com.

About Rolls-Royce Power Systems

Rolls-Royce Power Systems is part of Rolls-Royce plc. It is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs around 10,000 people. The product portfolio includes MTU-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. Under the MTU Onsite Energy brand, the company markets diesel gensets for emergency, base load and peak load applications as well as cogeneration plants using gas engines for the combined generation of heat and power. Bergen medium-speed engines power ships and power generation applications. L’Orange completes the portfolio with fuel injection systems for large engines.

About Weir Oil & Gas

Weir Oil & Gas provides superior products and service solutions which make our upstream customers more efficient. More customers choose our pressure pumping solutions than any other. We provide well service & stimulation pumps, flow control products and replacement expendable parts from leading brands including SPM, Mesa and Novatech. Pressure Control includes trusted brands such as Seaboard, which provides wellheads, valves and frac trees, and Mathena, which delivers drilling mud-gas separation equipment including chokes, separators, & environmental containment equipment. Engineered mechanical and rotating equipment repairs and upgrades, oilfield and drilling equipment repair and certification, rapid prototyping of spare parts, robust asset management and field engineering services, are delivered globally by Weir Oil & Gas Services based in Dubai, UAE.

Founded in 1871, The Weir Group PLC is one of the world’s leading engineering businesses. Weir designs, manufactures and services innovative solutions for minerals, oil and gas, power and other process markets. The Group aims to be a partner of choice to our customers with a worldwide network of around 200 manufacturing and service facilities. Weir employs over 14,000 people serving customers in more than 70 countries. For more information please visit www.global.weir

 

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