Cont. from page 1, Perspectives From The Chairman...

Permanence for PTTC.  Federal dollars through DOE's natural gas and oil program, state/university cost-share matches, and industry contributions (primarily time and expenses) currently provide PTTC's resources. It's no secret that the federal resources are what starts the whole process. Stabilizing that federal investment for the long-term is critical for PTTC's permanence. There are other federal opportunities we are looking at to diversify or expand activities. With consistent funding, state contributions will remain strong. PTTC has performed multiple analyses demonstrating the impact to support this public funding. Permanence also involves increasing industry's "green dollar" contribution. PTTC delivers value to the service sector by cost-effectively connecting with producers, so we're working with them to increase their participation. The transfer of technology insights improves the skill set of individual professionals within producers and the consultant sector. We're looking at ways for individuals, and possibly the companies that employ them, to get more involved.

Service companies and especially the large service companies are becoming more and more focused

on the large international markets. PTTC has played an extremely important role in helping the service companies understand the needs of the independents and focus some research and training towards their needs. Still, the major R&D dollars in the oil service sector come from the major service companies, which are international, and those dollars follow the highest return on investment, which is typically higher volume producing wells outside the U.S. Since 80% of our domestic production comes from independents that typically lack the ability to test new technology and the service providers have many opportunities to test outside the U.S., this leaves domestic producers in a technology vacuum. Those technologies coming from the international arena generally need adaptation for the low flow volume, lack of natural flow and smaller hole sizes in the domestic market.

In closing this article, let me state that I welcome input from all concerning PTTC's strategic direction. Feel free to contact me (bsims1@jam.rr.com) or Don Duttlinger, PTTC's Executive Director (dond@pttc.org). PTTC exists to serve the domestic industry. Help us continually improve that service.

Cont. from page 1, DOE R&D Funding at High Risk...

or new technologies. All these are now at risk.

Now is the time to express your opinion about the resources that circulate back through the industry, exhibiting a multiplier effect in the domestic economy. The Indepen-

Michigan Field Experiences: Focus on the Antrim

Michigan Field Experiences, Focus on the Antrim: A full day (14 speakers), 12 exhibits & three cores on display. Bill Harrison, Michigan Basin Core Research Laboratory, points out a feature
 in a core. 185 people spent their day effectively attending this workshop co-sponsored by Michigan Satellite Midwest PTTC, Michigan Basin Geological Society, & Northern Michigan SPE.