Fracking and other advances in technology have turned the United States into an energy production powerhouse – but there’s a problem: Dealing with the wastewater that’s a byproduct of energy production.

A Raleigh startup, SeaChange, is seeking to provide a sustainable solution and has already won an energy startup showcase.

Dipak Mahato, PhD, is the founder and CEO. A former senior principal scientist at animal science firm Zoetis and Pfizer as well as principal research scientist at Emrex, Mahato also was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. He launched SeaChange in 2014.

SeaChange will be participating in the CED Tech Venture conference next month.

Here’s a profile based on a Q&A with Mahato. It’s the latest in a series of Tech Venture presenters as part of a partnership between WRAL TechWire and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

  • What is the focus of your business?

SeaChange Technologies, Inc (SeaChange) is developing an innovative water treatment technology to address the wastewater that is produced as a byproduct of oil/gas extraction.

  • What is the top pain point/business application you are seeking to address?

Disposal of wastewater by oil/gas producers is their single highest production cost, and their current method (underground injection) is causing earthquakes where they are not supposed to happen.

SeaChange offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative.

  • What makes it unique?

In one step, the SeaChange process transforms produced water into a dry mineral byproduct. Unlike any technology in market use today, our process eliminates the need for expensive and environmentally damaging deep well injection.

  • Why should investors be interested in your firm?

SeaChange has been gaining visibility in the water and energy industry by winning the University of Texas Energy Institute startup competition and the SXSW Eco Water startup showcase.

This year, we completed validation testing of the technology and Texas A&M University Department of Petroleum Engineering, and are now preparing to launch our commercial pilot systems.

Business facts:

  • Website – http://www.seachangetechnologies.com
  • Email address for inquiries – info@seachangetechnologies.com
  • Physical address – 4200 Glen Erin Way, Raleigh NC 27613
  • CEO – Dipak Mahato
  • Introductory video: Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyBLsvR7kPI&feature=youtu.be