Volume 10, No. 1, 1st Quarter 2004

 

 Petroleum Technology Transfer Council   

        WWW.PTTC.ORG
 

An Exciting Time
For Tech Transfer

Technology plays a key role in slowing domestic production decline. One way a producer can improve business economics is to stay current on what is working in other areas of the country. To serve that need, PTTC has focused on building its connections through expanding newsletter and E-mail distribution lists. The 13 regional and satellite offices continue to provide a diversified and responsive outreach program covering Drilling and Completion, Environmental Protection, Exploration, Operations and Production as well as Reservoir and Development issues. Within certain plays, such as the Hunton De-Watering play in Oklahoma and the Trenton Black River formation in Appalachia, technology progress is responsible for substantial production increase. The PTTC brings ideas to reduce costs and increase production to thousands of independent producers in the U.S.

In This Issue

Environmental Corner.................. 3
Tech Transfer Track................... 4-6
State-of-the-Art Summary.......... 7-9
DOE Digest............................ 10-11
Solutions From the Field............ 12
Upcoming PTTC Events............. 15

PTTC is a national not-for-profit information network formed in 1994 by oil and natural gas producers. Programs are funded by matching funds from the US Department of Energy (DOE) with funds from State Governments, Universities, State Geological Surveys and Industry. This program would not be possible without contributions from the DOE Office of Fossil Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

Phifer Assumes PTTC Leadership Reins

On March 22, Brook Phifer, President, NiCo Resources, LLC, Colorado, was elected Chairman of PTTC's Board, succeeding James Bruning, Bruning Resources LLC. The family-owned NiCo Resources, LLC is an acquisition and production company with properties in the Rockies, Oklahoma, and west Texas. Prior to starting at NiCo, Phifer was Vice President of Production at Axem Resources in Denver. His initial industry training was with Exxon in Midland, Houston and Los Angeles. Brook is also active in SPE. He holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Stanford University.

Phifer first became involved with PTTC in 1994, serving on the Producer Advisory Group for the Rocky Mountain Region. Most recently as National Vice Chairman, he has lead PTTC's Management and Budget Committee, a committee that provides month-to-month Board guidance to PTTC. As he continues his leadership responsibilities, PTTC felt it appropriate to pose a few questions.

What do you see as the biggest challenge, either internal or external to the industry, that U.S. independents must adapt to if they are to economically thrive in the next decade?

The biggest challenge is keeping up with change. The oil business's political, economic and technologic environments keep changing faster and faster. During the 1970s and 1980s, natural gas could not be used as a boiler fuel. During the 1990s gas was the fuel of choice for power generation. Will that demand continue or be replaced by clean coal by 2010? No longer do we ask "could a horizontal well be better in this field?" Now we need to develop fields by asking "Why shouldn't a horizontal well be utilized?" How do I evaluate my leases for the latest coal bed methane play? With the competitive nature of our business, an independent has to ask these questions and have the answers now.

Given that change, how can PTTC be a force assisting independents make the necessary adaptations?

PTTC will be a force for the independent producer, geologist and engineer by informing us of these technologic changes. The new technology questions and answers have to be provided in a low cost way, without taking much time, and in real time. PTTC can find the latest questions thousands of independents have by keeping in touch with them through our 10 regions. With PTTC's association with numerous universities, the DOE, and our increasing connection with technology providers (service and equipment providers), service provider R&D dollars for the mature U.S. market can be focused where there is that critical market mass. Federal R&D dollars can be positioned to complement private sector investments.

Finally, the PTTC will continually be changing the way we deliver these newest technology solutions. I envision more webcasts of workshops like the ones developed by the West Coast Region at the University of Southern California. The

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