Volume 12, No. 2, 2nd Quarter 2006

 

 Petroleum Technology Transfer Council   

        WWW.PTTC.ORG

Continued Energy RD&D and Technology Transfer

Abundant and affordable energy has been a key ingredient for economic prosperity. The availability and cost of alternative energy sources is getting plenty of press coverage today. These sources will one day play a greater role in satisfying a growing demand yet we cannot overlook the present contributions of fossil fuels. Natural gas, oil and coal will continue to provide the majority of power and feedstock's for products well into the next generation. Another reality is that the uncomplicated natural gas and oil resource base in the U.S. has already been developed. Those resources that remain—deep water, unconventional gas, enhanced oil recovery, even oil shale will be increasingly complex to bring to market and require more skilled manpower, investment and innovative application of technologies to develop. Where will this technology development come from?

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In This Issue

Environmental Corner ................ 3
Tech Transfer Track ................... 4-7
State-of-the-Art Summary .......... 8-10
DOE Digest ................................ 11
Industry View ............................. 12
PTTC Tech Info ........................ 14
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).

Gene Ames Takes Over as PTTC's Chairman

Gene Ames III, Geologist and General Manager for The Nordan Trust, a San Antonio-based independent oil and gas producer established in 1969, was elected as the new PTTC Chairman on March 19, 2006 at the annual board meeting in Washington, DC. His leadership culminates years of involvement in PTTC's Texas Region and on the National Board. Prior to joining The Nordan Trust, Mr. Ames generated exploration projects in the Gulf Coast, South Texas and the Anadarko, Permian and East Texas Basins. Also, he spent over ten years as Vice President of Exploration and Operations with Venus Exploration Inc. Ames has an extensive background in producing property operations and upstream petroleum E&P technology. He received B.S. degrees in both Business Administration and Geology from Trinity University in San Antonio. Ames has served on various boards and committees in industry-oriented organizations including the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, The Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, Texas Independent Producer and Royalty Owners Association and the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. He is a state certified petroleum geologist and currently President of the South Texas Geological Society.

All of us in the E&P industry know how strained for time we are—it's not just the time to accomplish what we need to realize the E&P opportunities facing us, it's the time to give back something to the industry we are part of and honor commitments to family, church and community. I'm honored to continue "giving back" through leading PTTC, however, I will not be doing it alone. Bob McDougall, Westland Energy Inc. in Wyoming, will be at my side as Vice Chairman, in addition to the full 22-person National Board.

As I look forward to the next few years, there are many exciting things happening in the PTTC. After a lot of hard work, we are on the cusp of capably launching the next highest level of communications technology for busy industry professionals. Those of you interested in broadening your knowledge of applied technology will be able to access information on your own schedule through a variety of workshops available at any time on the Internet. This will never replace the personal connections made through attending and participating in events, but it will be one, of many, useful resources that producers can use to adapt to changing technology.

Nationally, PTTC has been working alongside the Department of Energy to increase industry involvement in microhole technologies. This technology is a significant improvement on coiled tubing drilling and has many more applications. Still early in development, there is the potential for systems in the near-term to be able to drill smaller holes, faster and at much less cost—all important factors in improving economics of mature producing basins in the U.S.

PTTC plans on bringing you technology well into the future, so one of my key priorities will be to continue identifying and quantifying the "value" that PTTC delivers. And since this is an independent producer-driven program it will continue to address issues that are important to increasing domestic supply and keeping our economy healthy. Finally, I'd like to invite the industry—and that includes independents, government, academia, research labs, large operators, consultants and the service sector—to step up to the plate and work together with us to help promote a smooth transition into what is shaping up to be a complex energy future. If you recognize the value and have ideas to offer, I'd love to hear from you (geoscience@sbcglobal.net). In fact, feel free to contact me or Don Duttlinger, PTTC's Executive Director (dond@pttc.org) for strategic input, anytime.