Blue Mountain Operations Wins 2026 Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge

DENVER - EntSun -- DENVER — Colorado Cleantech announced Blue Mountain Operations, Kinitics Automation, and Advantis as the winners of the 2026 Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge, held October 7 at the Governor's Residence Carriage House in Denver.

Now in its 13th year, the Challenge connects technology companies with oil and gas industry leaders to address emissions, resource efficiency, water management, and operational needs. Presenters build relationships that can lead to pilots, partnerships, and commercial deployment.

"Connecting innovators with industry leaders is at the heart of the Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge. Congratulations to this year's winners, whose technologies demonstrate the potential to reduce emissions and improve operations," said Laura Hickernell, Executive Director of Colorado Cleantech.

First Place: Blue Mountain Operations — Broomfield, Colorado

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Blue Mountain Operations develops solar-powered instrument air compressors and equipment for remote oil and gas operations. Its technology replaces natural gas-driven pneumatic systems, helping reduce methane venting at sites without grid power.

"Blue Mountain Operations is honored to win Colorado Cleantech's 2026 Oil and Gas Cleantech Challenge. The event brought entrepreneurs, investors and producers together in a genuinely collaborative setting, and gave us a wonderful stage to share how our technology helps oil and gas producers operate more efficiently while cutting emissions. Thank you to the Colorado Cleantech team and sponsors for building a community where innovation and industry move forward together," said Ru Schaefferkoetter, CEO of Blue Mountain Operations.

Second Place: Kinitics Automation — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Kinitics Automation's electric valve actuators offer an alternative to methane-venting pneumatic devices. Its technology combines precise valve control with a spring-return design that closes the valve when power or the control signal is lost.

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Third Place: Advantis — Marshall, Texas

Advantis provides remote monitoring and control solutions for energy and utility operations. Its Hatch Scout technology monitors storage tank hatches, calculates fugitive methane emissions, and alerts operators to leaking, venting, or open hatches.

The event concluded with a VIP reception celebrating the winners and participating companies.

Colorado Cleantech thanks the sponsors, judges, presenters, partners, and Governor's Residence team who supported this year's Challenge.

Learn more about the program at Colorado Cleantech's Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge website (https://www.coloradocleantech.com/oil-gas-cleantech-challenge).

About Colorado Cleantech

Founded in 2008, Colorado Cleantech supports technologies that reduce emissions, improve energy reliability, and drive economic growth across the Mountain West. It connects entrepreneurs, industry leaders, investors, researchers, and policymakers to bring innovative energy solutions to market. Learn more at www.coloradocleantech.com.