Connecting with ProducersPTTC's mantra is connecting with producers, and there are some exciting things happening at the national level that will further those connections with industry. Those who know PTTC know that practical bottom line-oriented workshops are our forte. And rightly so, since, as the bar graph shows, more than 6,000 individuals attended regional workshops during FY00 ending September 30, 2000.
PTTC would like to say that workshop attendance would continue to rise, but there are constraints. One limit is funding, but another equally important constraint is the fact that people in industry are so busy that it is difficult for them to break away and attend workshops. PTTC recognizes the time constraint and has been working on ways to package information for industry. Posting workshop summaries (Solutions From the Field) on the national website is just one way. Roughly 250 people each month are coming to view summaries, equating to an additional five workshops a month. State-of-the-art summaries on timely topics draw additional viewers, about 600-800 per topic. Then there is the case study-oriented Petroleum Technology Digest that PTTC and World Oil develop collaboratively. Early Digests were distributed to a North American producer audience, but, beginning in March 2001, the case studies will be incorporated within the regular issue and distributed world-wide. Columns in trade journals are another effective outreach tool. PTTC has been publishing periodic columns in World Oil. Beginning in January, PTTC will be publishing a regular monthly column in American Oil & Gas Reporter. Like the rest of PTTC's efforts, the column will focus on emerging technologies and technology transfer topics. And we are always open to invited articles. Connecting With Industry, A Headquarters MoveDuring its formative years, PTTC's Headquarters office has been located in Washington, DC. Since PTTC evolved from an IPAA effort and receives significant DOE funding, a Washington location was logical and needed. Being past the formative stages, it is now more important than ever that PTTC connect with industry. Don Duttlinger, PTTC's Executive Director, considers meeting the leaders of producers and technology providers one of his highest priorities. With that priority, one must go where producers are to have ready access. By January PTTC Headquarters will have moved to Houston, the acknowledged center of the oil industry. Besides allowing ready access to industry there, travel to much of the oil patch becomes more cost efficient, a convenient day trip versus overnighters. Although Don and a small support staff will be operating from Houston, PTTC is not losing its Washington presence. Kathy Chapman, Director of Business Affairs, will remain there, performing her financial and contract administration duties virtually, plus nurturing Washington connections. As he has been, Project Manager Lance Cole will work from his home base in Oklahoma. PTTC Headquarters is truly becoming the virtual organization of the future. When in Houston, give Don a call-he'd love to visit with you about how PTTC can better serve you. Connecting Producers and Technology DevelopersPTTC routinely comes in contact with (1) producers who have vexing problems for which they need solutions and (2) technology developers whose technologies need confirming field tests before being broadly accepted. PTTC is teaming with Hart's E&P to help connect these groups. Beginning in January, PTTC and Hart's will implement a service for both of these groups. On Hart's website (http://www.EandPnet.com), technology developers can describe their new technology, the degree of lab and field performance data available, and the conditions they are looking for (as well as special incentive offers) in needed field tests. Interested producers can respond directly. Technologies looking for field tests may be noted in periodic columns in Hart's E&P magazine. On PTTC's website (http://www.pttc.org), producers can post their vexing problems (not run of the mill problems, but those for which solutions are not widely known) anonymously. Through PTTC, technology providers who believe they have a solution can respond. PTTC will forward all responses to the producers and it will be up to the producer to initiate contact and take action. Although not required to do so, PTTC and Hart's will encourage both producers and technology developers to share the field results, both positive and negative, from work that is undertaken. Sharing together, we can hasten technological advances in the critical domestic industry. |
