A New PTTC Is Taking Shape Under AAPG Leadership
(Tech Connections Column, November 2007, American Oil
and Gas Reporter)
 By
the time this is read, it will be a done deal: an AAPG-managed PTTC will be off
and running. All summer the American ssociation of Petroleum Geologists and PTTC
have been working to make this a reality. Following votes by both the AAPG
Executive Committee and PTTC’s board in late September, AAPG assumed management
of PTTC. This includes fundraising, marketing, and corporate operation of the
PTTC. Things will be different, but it is a “good” different, not the least of
which is organizational and financial stability. That is key because the mission
remains the same and there is still technology to be transferred.
As noted by AAPG President Will Green of Midland, TX., in a press release,
“The PTTC has perhaps been the most successful scientific technology transfer
program for the independent U.S. producer, and has proven its value to the
industry. The (AAPG) considers the program important for the industry, its
members and the country.” And the wheels already are in motion to draw in
another significant partner that also realizes the key contribution PTTC makes
to the domestic exploration and production industry.
Outgoing PTTC Chairman Gene Ames notes, “The
strengths of PTTC will be the same–most universities will stay engaged, regional
volunteer groups will be autonomous and work closely with the universities,
cross-discipline diversity will be encouraged, and producers will comprise the
majority of the volunteers. The Department of Energy remains a strong supporter
and will strive toward some funding, albeit at a lower level than historically.”
There are some things to note about the new PTTC.
The strong commitment to local, affordable workshops on topics/technologies that
can be quickly applied remains. A network of universities continues to be the
“legs” in the regional efforts. There will be some minor realignments in
regional structure to realize technical and marketing synergies with AAPG’s
sections. There will be a focused effort to strengthen regional volunteer input,
ensuring it remains cross disciplinary and company diverse. Administratively,
AAPG will leverage its marketing, information and fundraising resources to run a
tight but comprehensive ship.
The biggest difference will be the financial model.
No longer can PTTC offer services at prices reflective of a federally subsidized
organization. It remains a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Plans are in
place for a multipronged, diversified funding stream; this is critical to build
a nonsubsidized, sustainable organization. Workshop fees will be higher, but
will stay at a level that is affordable in today’s E&P environment. Companies
will be asked to do their fair share through sponsorships. Support will be
realized from the AAPG Foundation and AAPG itself.
Those in the service sector, which provides most of the new technologies, can
contribute by continuing to speak in workshops as well as considering
advertising opportunities. Consider the value of connecting with thousands of
producers across the country. They are a “self-qualified” audience in that they
participate because they are focused on applying new technologies.
There are other revenue-producing products under consideration, not the least
of which may be capturing technical insights from the hundreds of workshops that
PTTC has presented over the years. The bottom line is that as everyone
contributes in some fashion, the services will remain. AAPG’s commitment and
resources provide time for the vision to become reality.
To get to where it is today, PTTC has had to adapt to the times. Remember
when coalbed natural gas was rarely heard of? How about shale gas resource
plays? Or, during the oil price crash of the late 1990s, the series of PTTC
workshops on how to properly shut in wells so that when prices improved and it
was affordable to return them to production, there would be fewer problems? That
had to be one of the more depressing series of workshops, but it was needed and
PTTC came through. I am not a forecasting expert, but I can say with certainty
that major change is a fact of life, that changing technology will remain a
driver in exploration and production, and that the new PTTC will adapt well to
whatever the future holds. 
I have been involved with PTTC since before it was officially formed, and
many of the volunteers working in PTTC fit that description, too. Working
alongside prior Executive Directors Deborah Rowell and Don Duttlinger in giving
PTTC “legs” was exciting. Everyone in the industry needs to thank them, just as
we will thank AAPG down the road as its leadership helps those legs take even
longer strides. Whatever advances and accomplishments lie in the future, being a
part of PTTC’s maturing will forever remain one of my greatest career
accomplishments.
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