Petroleum Technology Transfer Council
PEOPLE AND CONNECTIONS
Shortening the Technology Application Life Cycle

Technology—The Engine That Drives O&G Production

Industry Highlight: World Oil's 2004 Awards
On October 14, winners of 2004's World Oil Awards were announced. This Awards program, now in its third year, recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations in the oil and gas industry. Calgary-based Encana won two awards—"The Health, Safety, Environment/Sustainable Development Award" and "The Best Cross Border Transaction Award." Don Hannegan, Weatherford, who is involved in PTTC, won "The Innovative Thinker Award."

DOE Highlight: Major R&D Grants in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Mexico
DOE announced major investments in R&D and Technology Development in three states—Michigan, New Mexico and Pennsylvania—during October. Several awards involve institutions that are also directly involved in PTTC's technology transfer program.

  •  $4.3 Million in Grants to Michigan, strong focus on O&G
  •  $9.4 Million in Grants to Pennsylvania, supporting the hydrogen fuel initiative
  •  $4.1 Million in Grants to New Mexico, strong focus on O&G
PTTC Highlight: Barnett Shale Online Resources
The Barnett Shale is one of the hottest domestic natural gas plays in recent memory. Growth in the play has been very impressive, from around 275 mmcfd in late 1999 to around 900 mmcfd today. Most of that growth has come in the core areas of Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties. Activity has expanded rapidly to surrounding counties. Operators are aggressively leasing acreage across the non-core parts of the Barnett Shale. Recognizing the importance and interest in this play, PTTC's Texas Region is building an online information resource. Check it out, and come back often—content will continue to build.

Presentations at IPAA Emerging Technology Conference—Meeting Challenges in Finding and Producing Unconventional Natural Gas, October 28, 2004.

Trivia Question: What "scientific" exploration technique led to discovery of the first oil well in Crawford County, Illinois?

Trivia Answer: According to legend, location for the Shire #1, the first oil well in Crawford County, Illinois, was determined by "where the empty bottle fell." The industry must acknowledge that even some current day exploration decisions are "influenced" by more than science. Source of Information: American Oil and Gas Historical Society (www.aoghs.org).