DE-FE0001175

Goal
The goal of this project is to conduct an encompassing suite of oil and natural gas related technology and information transfer activities that provide insight to producers and other stakeholders in a concise, meaningful format that encourages them to make timely and informed technical and business decisions.

Performer
Petroleum Technology Transfer Council,(PTTC), Tulsa, OK

Collaborators

• Eastern: Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL; Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI; West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• Central and Eastern Gulf: Louisiana State University, Baton rouge, LA; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
• Mid-Continent: University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK; University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
• Rocky Mountain: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
• Texas: Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX
• West Coast: Conservation Committee of Oil & Gas Producers, Bakersfield, CA

Background
PTTC [external site] was formed in the early 1990s as a joint federal, state, and industry collaboration to provide the domestic oil producing industry (primarily independent producers) with improved access to information about evolving and underutilized technologies. The original model envisioned that PTTC would eventually become self-supporting and efforts continue toward that end. Currently, state funding (primarily from cost-sharing by PTTC's regional organizations) continues, as does industry participation through the provision of significant time and expertise to PTTC as well as participation in PTTC activities.

PTTC continues to transfer information and results from Department of Energy (DOE)-supported R&D as well as research supported directly by the oil and gas industry to a broad stakeholder audience, including independent and major oil and natural gas producers, academia, technology developers, and the service sector. Outreach for DOE includes all aspects of the Fossil Energy (FE) Natural Gas & Oil Program (conducted through the National Energy Technology Laboratory [NETL]) including environmental solutions, oil technology, and Title IX, Subtitle J (Section 999) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (including both RPSEA and DOE-NETL administered research). PTTC also leads CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) training for the Permian Basin project where PTTC, the Applied Petroleum Technology Academy, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists are technical contributors. Under funding separate from this project, PTTC also provides technology transfer services to RPSEA for its Sec. 999 program.

Activities under this project are designed to (1) strengthen the PTTC network to identify technology practices that “work” for independent producers and (2) use the strengthened network to efficiently transfer “successful practices” to those producers seeking to reduce operating costs and/or increase production and reserves. These objectives align with the DOE-FE stated objectives to (1) disseminate DOE-NETL and oil and gas industry technology and information to independent producers and other stakeholders; (2) maximize the value of that technology, expertise, and capability; and (3) facilitate the commercialization of technology in the energy marketplace. Specifically, the PTTC will network and collaborate extensively with technology researchers, providers, and independents that are successfully employing new technologies to identify and disseminate practices that work, as well as identify where they are working successfully. PTTC will employ a multi-faceted technology transfer program to deliver oil-and gas- related information to stakeholders in a format that stimulates application and speeds technology adoption.

Impacts
Impacts of the work performed by PTTC are multi-faceted. Over the past 16 years, PTTC has established an effective and growing network of stakeholders (primarily independent producers) scattered across the United States that have come to rely on PTTC for unbiased, no-nonsense technology information. Recognizing PTTC's network of connections, technology providers actively participate with the council to share developing technologies with potential users. Consultants recognize PTTC as a cost-effective source for equipping them with the tools needed to serve the PTTC stakeholder base. DOE's natural gas and oil RD&D program recognizes PTTC as an effective medium for connecting with industry regarding project results and technology developments. PTTC also provides DOE with a feedback mechanism about concerns and issues within the domestic oil and natural gas producing industry. States directly benefit through added revenue from increased production and reserves that result when producers apply enhanced exploration and production approaches and technologies. As technology information is successfully disseminated and adopted, the consequent increase in oil and gas production and reserves strengthens the nation's energy portfolio and helps assure a secure U.S. energy future.

Accomplishments

• PTTC conducted over 70 outreach workshops in FY2010 (including both regional and HQ based activities) with strong industry stakeholder participation.
• PTTC continues to publish its technology newsletter (Network News) on a quarterly basis (with eight publications from FY2010 through 2011) to a primarily industry-focused subscriber base.
• PTTC continues to distribute relevant and timely technical news via its e-alerts system.
• PTTC continues to provide the oil and gas industry with access to important technical news and information through its website.
• PTTC continues to work on strengthening its network of technical content providers and stakeholders through a variety of outreach efforts.

Current Status (November 2011)
PTTC is currently focused on the continued development of plans for outreach events during 2012 while continuing to provide technical information to stakeholders through quarterly publication of the Network News newsletter and the distribution of technical alerts through the e-alert system and PTTC website. Currently planned workshops can be viewed on the PTTC upcoming events calendar [external site].

PTTC, in coordination with its Regional Lead Organizations, also continues to work through restructuring the organization and is striving toward an operational model that allows it to continue industry outreach, tech transfer, and training in a self-supporting fashion.

Project Start: October 1, 2009
Project End: September 30, 2014

Anticipated DOE Contribution: $2,552,165
Performer Contribution: $1,655,208

Contact Information
NETL – Richard Baker (richard.baker@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4714)
PTTC – Bill Lawson (bill.lawson1@cox.net)
If you are unable to reach the above personnel, please contact the content manager.