What We’re About

employees viewing white board

Our Motivation

What Drives Our Organization


We are positively impacting the economics, security and environmental implications of global energy production.

Our Purpose

The reason we exist.

To secure global energy needs in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.

Our Vision

The goal of our purpose.

To enable all people to have access to affordable heat, fuel and electricity while maintaining a healthy environment for ourselves and future generations.

Our Mission

The path to our purpose and the behaviors we follow.

To help our clients increase the production and recovery of natural gas from their existing wells with minimal human and capital resources and minimal environmental impact.

It's Truly Uplifting

We minimize the need for costly human and capital resources by providing a comprehensive End2End natural gas service enabled by our subsurface compressor systems.


We minimize environmental impact by mitigating the need to drill and frack new natural gas wells, producing net-zero carbon emission natural gas when possible by using renewable energy to power our subsurface compressors, and maintaining our carbon neutrality as a company.

Our Foundation

Wise Beyond Our Years


Upwing Energy is an innovative offshoot of Calnetix Technologies, formed to focus on the production of hydrocarbons. Calnetix is a recognized industry leader in high-speed systems, supplying high-speed permanent magnet motors and generators, magnetic bearings and variable speed drives (VSDs) over the past two decades to a wide variety of industries throughout the world. The company's product portfolio includes electric drive systems for offshore and subsea oil and gas applications.

Our Facility

Our Intellectual Property

Our Health and Safety

Our Facility

facility

Upwing Energy’s headquarters, engineering and manufacturing facility is co-located with affiliate company Calnetix Technologies on a seven-acre campus in Cerritos, California.

Upwing Energy has a state-of-the-art test facility for its Subsurface Compressor System™ (SCS) for the artificial lift of natural gas. Test cells are used to verify and validate the unique operating conditions of SCS. Upwing engineers use bench testing and containment rigs to validate each module independently, measure system performance and functionally test full assemblies. This functional testing allows for the creation of a unique performance map that can be used for diagnostic and prognostic health monitoring, once the unit is installed in a client’s well. Upwing’s facility also has a flow loop to simulate downhole conditions with flow rates up to 1 million SCFD and the ability to boost rates further on demand.

Our Intellectual Property

Intellectual property

Upwing Energy has been granted core technology patents by affiliate company Calnetix Technologies for exclusive use in the downhole rotating space. These core technologies include permanent magnet (PM) machines, magnetic bearings, variable speed drives (VSD) and system level controls. Other intellectual property provided by Calnetix includes proprietary PM design tools and manufacturing processes. In addition, Upwing has filed its own system level and application related patents for downhole rotating devices, including for its Subsurface Compressor Systems (SCS) and Magnetic Drive Systems (MDS). The company has 47 U.S. filings and 28 foreign filings to date.

Our Health and Safety

health and safety

Upwing Energy is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all employees and visitors in our facility. Upwing has a standing safety committee to address safety concerns and maintain OSHA compliance on our campus. All Upwing employees receive extensive training on emergency evacuation procedures, safety precautions, identified hazards and necessary personal protective equipment instructions. All visitors are informed of the necessary safety protocols and procedures during their visit.

Our Facility

Upwing Energy’s headquarters, engineering and manufacturing facility is co-located with affiliate company Calnetix Technologies on a seven-acre campus in Cerritos, California.

Upwing Energy has a state-of-the-art test facility for its Subsurface Compressor System™ (SCS) for the artificial lift of natural gas. Test cells are used to verify and validate the unique operating conditions of SCS. Upwing engineers use bench testing and containment rigs to validate each module independently, measure system performance and functionally test full assemblies. This functional testing allows for the creation of a unique performance map that can be used for diagnostic and prognostic health monitoring, once the unit is installed in a client’s well. Upwing’s facility also has a flow loop to simulate downhole conditions with flow rates up to 1 million SCFD and the ability to boost rates further on demand.

Our Intellectual Property

Upwing Energy has been granted core technology patents by affiliate company Calnetix Technologies for exclusive use in the downhole rotating space. These core technologies include permanent magnet (PM) machines, magnetic bearings, variable speed drives (VSD) and system level controls. Other intellectual property provided by Calnetix includes proprietary PM design tools and manufacturing processes. In addition, Upwing has filed its own system level and application related patents for downhole rotating devices, including for its Subsurface Compressor Systems (SCS) and Magnetic Drive Systems (MDS). The company has 47 U.S. filings and 28 foreign filings to date.

Our Health and Safety

Upwing Energy is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all employees and visitors in our facility. Upwing has a standing safety committee to address safety concerns and maintain OSHA compliance on our campus. All Upwing employees receive extensive training on emergency evacuation procedures, safety precautions, identified hazards and necessary personal protective equipment instructions. All visitors are informed of the necessary safety protocols and procedures during their visit.

Our Leadership

David and Herman winning OTC Spotlight Award
Herman

Herman Artinian

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Artinian has 30 years of experience in domestic and international business development/management and specializes in creating profitable business growth by identifying and developing disruptive technologies in the energy sector. He successfully formed and increased the shareholder value of multiple start-up companies while previously serving as the Executive Vice President of Calnetix Technologies. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Artinian was the Managing Director of Access Energy, a Calnetix subsidiary, where he was responsible for multiple global licensing deals. From 2006 to 2009, he was the Vice President of Business Development for Calnetix spin-off Direct Drive Systems (DDS), and played a major role in its acquisition by FMC Technologies in 2009. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Worry never accomplishes anything. When you have a problem, it is best to concentrate on the solution to that problem, not the problem itself.
Thomas D. Willhite
Pat Speaking
Pat

Patrick McMullen

Chief Technical Officer

Mr. McMullen has 35 years of experience in the magnetic devices field for high-speed equipment. Prior to joining Upwing Energy, he co-founded parent company Calnetix Technologies, where he served as the Chief Technical Officer and was the key subject matter expert on all of Calnetix’s technologies and integration capabilities. He played a major role in identifying, evaluating, developing, acquiring and selling IP for all Calnetix spin-off companies, including Upwing. While at Calnetix, he also led the formation of VYCON, another Calnetix subsidiary, and served as its Chief Technical Officer from 2003 to 2013. Prior to the establishment of Calnetix, Mr. McMullen was the Vice President of Research and Development at Avcon, Inc. He is the author of multiple patents and publications in high-speed turbomachinery and holds a MBA from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Thomas Edison
Kristen at SPE
Kristen

Kristen Frey

Chief Marketing & People Officer

Ms. Frey has 20 years of experience defining marketing and organizational strategies and evaluating emerging markets. She specializes in driving external communications efforts for early stage companies that effectively differentiate their market positioning, while building out and managing their internal operations infrastructure and talent to support organic growth. Before joining Upwing, Ms. Frey served as the Director of Marketing for Calnetix Technologies and its subsidiaries VYCON, Access Energy and Direct Drive Systems (DDS) from 2008 to 2016. She was instrumental in the sale and transition of DDS to FMC Technologies in 2009. Previously, Ms. Frey held multiple marketing, operations and communications management roles in the oil and gas industry, including positions with venture-capital backed ORYXE Energy, Gulf Oil, Conocophillips, Tosco and Mobil Oil. Ms. Frey holds a MBA from California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Georgia.

Creativity is intelligence having fun.
Albert Einstein
Bob Offsite
Bob

Robert McKeirnan

Vice President of Supply Chain & External Manufacturing

Mr. McKeirnan has 30 years of global experience in new product development, manufacturing, production rollout and operations, and has a proven track record in start-up companies. As a global engineering leader, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to identify innovative solutions and apply analytical approaches to overcome challenges and foster new technology. Before joining Upwing, Mr. McKeirnan served as President of HK Micro Turbine Corporation, where he played an integral role in technology development and product commercialization. Prior to that, he worked at Capstone Turbine Corporation, spending the majority of his tenure prototyping and commercializing Capstone’s products while holding a variety of engineering, director and management roles. He is the author of multiple U.S. utility patents and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University.

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein
Team at wellsite
David

David Biddick

Director of Technical Field Operations

Mr. Biddick has 15 years of experience in product development and project management. Prior to joining Upwing, he was the Project Manager for Integrated Completions at Schlumberger, where he was responsible for managing mechanical and electrical engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams in the U.S. and Europe and developing reservoir monitoring and flow control technology into the first fully electric integrated downhole system. Previously at Schlumberger, he was the Technical Champion for Core Completions in Asia and the Business Development Manager, Completions for Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. Prior to that, Mr. Biddick spent 7 years on Schlumberger’s Completions Team in Houston, advancing from Design Engineer to Project Manager to Team Lead. He is the author of multiple patents and holds a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

You can never know everything, and part of what you know is always wrong. Perhaps even the most important part. A portion of wisdom lies in knowing that. A portion of courage lies in going on anyway.
Robert Jordan
Bob and Adam at tradeshow
Adam

Adam Robinson

Director of R&D Engineering & Test

Mr. Robinson has 15 years of experience in the engineering, turbomachinery and electric machine testing and product development. Before joining Upwing, he was the Technical Manager of System Test and Mechatronic Design at Garrett Transportation, a Honeywell spin off, where he was responsible for mechanical integration of power electronics in e-Turbo assemblies as well as testing those systems worldwide. While at Garrett, he also developed product engineering and safety best practices for high-power electrical inverters. Prior to that, Mr. Robinson spent five years at Honeywell Turbo Technologies advancing from a Test Engineer to Product Engineer, in charge of leading tech demo prototype testing of electric-assisted turbochargers across North America and Europe. Previously, he was the Mechanical and Controls Engineer for Flex Energy Solutions, where he worked on developing key enabling technologies for a near-zero emissions gas turbine power plant. He holds both an M.S and B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.

It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
Harry S. Truman
Our Leadership

Mr. Artinian has 30 years of experience in domestic and international business development/management and specializes in creating profitable business growth by identifying and developing disruptive technologies in the energy sector. He successfully formed and increased the shareholder value of multiple start-up companies while previously serving as the Executive Vice President of Calnetix Technologies. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Artinian was the Managing Director of Access Energy, a Calnetix subsidiary, where he was responsible for multiple global licensing deals. From 2006 to 2009, he was the Vice President of Business Development for Calnetix spin-off Direct Drive Systems (DDS), and played a major role in its acquisition by FMC Technologies in 2009. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.

President & Chief Executive Officer
Thomas D. Willhite
Worry never accomplishes anything. When you have a problem, it is best to concentrate on the solution to that problem, not the problem itself.

Herman Artinian

David and Herman winning OTC Spotlight Award
Herman

Mr. McMullen has 35 years of experience in the magnetic devices field for high-speed equipment. Prior to joining Upwing Energy, he co-founded parent company Calnetix Technologies, where he served as the Chief Technical Officer and was the key subject matter expert on all of Calnetix’s technologies and integration capabilities. He played a major role in identifying, evaluating, developing, acquiring and selling IP for all Calnetix spin-off companies, including Upwing. While at Calnetix, he also led the formation of VYCON, another Calnetix subsidiary, and served as its Chief Technical Officer from 2003 to 2013. Prior to the establishment of Calnetix, Mr. McMullen was the Vice President of Research and Development at Avcon, Inc. He is the author of multiple patents and publications in high-speed turbomachinery and holds a MBA from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Chief Technical Officer
Thomas Edison
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

Patrick McMullen

Pat Speaking
Pat

Ms. Frey has 20 years of experience defining marketing and organizational strategies and evaluating emerging markets. She specializes in driving external communications efforts for early stage companies that effectively differentiate their market positioning, while building out and managing their internal operations infrastructure and talent to support organic growth. Before joining Upwing, Ms. Frey served as the Director of Marketing for Calnetix Technologies and its subsidiaries VYCON, Access Energy and Direct Drive Systems (DDS) from 2008 to 2016. She was instrumental in the sale and transition of DDS to FMC Technologies in 2009. Previously, Ms. Frey held multiple marketing, operations and communications management roles in the oil and gas industry, including positions with venture-capital backed ORYXE Energy, Gulf Oil, Conocophillips, Tosco and Mobil Oil. Ms. Frey holds a MBA from California State University, Long Beach and a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Georgia.

Chief Marketing & People Officer
Albert Einstein
Creativity is intelligence having fun.

Kristen Frey

Kristen at SPE
Kristen

Mr. McKeirnan has 30 years of global experience in new product development, manufacturing, production rollout and operations, and has a proven track record in start-up companies. As a global engineering leader, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to identify innovative solutions and apply analytical approaches to overcome challenges and foster new technology. Before joining Upwing, Mr. McKeirnan served as President of HK Micro Turbine Corporation, where he played an integral role in technology development and product commercialization. Prior to that, he worked at Capstone Turbine Corporation, spending the majority of his tenure prototyping and commercializing Capstone’s products while holding a variety of engineering, director and management roles. He is the author of multiple U.S. utility patents and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Loyola Marymount University.

Vice President of Supply Chain & External Manufacturing
Albert Einstein
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

Robert McKeirnan

Bob Offsite
Bob

Mr. Biddick has 15 years of experience in product development and project management. Prior to joining Upwing, he was the Project Manager for Integrated Completions at Schlumberger, where he was responsible for managing mechanical and electrical engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams in the U.S. and Europe and developing reservoir monitoring and flow control technology into the first fully electric integrated downhole system. Previously at Schlumberger, he was the Technical Champion for Core Completions in Asia and the Business Development Manager, Completions for Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. Prior to that, Mr. Biddick spent 7 years on Schlumberger’s Completions Team in Houston, advancing from Design Engineer to Project Manager to Team Lead. He is the author of multiple patents and holds a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

Director of Technical Field Operations
Robert Jordan
You can never know everything, and part of what you know is always wrong. Perhaps even the most important part. A portion of wisdom lies in knowing that. A portion of courage lies in going on anyway.

David Biddick

Team at wellsite
David

Mr. Robinson has 15 years of experience in the engineering, turbomachinery and electric machine testing and product development. Before joining Upwing, he was the Technical Manager of System Test and Mechatronic Design at Garrett Transportation, a Honeywell spin off, where he was responsible for mechanical integration of power electronics in e-Turbo assemblies as well as testing those systems worldwide. While at Garrett, he also developed product engineering and safety best practices for high-power electrical inverters. Prior to that, Mr. Robinson spent five years at Honeywell Turbo Technologies advancing from a Test Engineer to Product Engineer, in charge of leading tech demo prototype testing of electric-assisted turbochargers across North America and Europe. Previously, he was the Mechanical and Controls Engineer for Flex Energy Solutions, where he worked on developing key enabling technologies for a near-zero emissions gas turbine power plant. He holds both an M.S and B.S in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.

Director of R&D Engineering & Test
Harry S. Truman
It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

Adam Robinson

Bob and Adam at tradeshow
Adam

News & Events

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May 1, 2023 – May 4, 2023

Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)

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October 2, 2023 – October 6, 2023

SPE Gulf Coast Section - Electric Submersible Pump Symposium

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