Petroleum Technology Transfer Council

The Petroleum Technology Transfer
Council (PTTC) is an American national not-for-profit organization established
in 1994 by producers, state organizations and the Department of Energy (DOE).
While emphasizing the needs of independent oil and gas producers, PTTC’s
activities also benefit industry consultants, service and supply companies, and
other industry participants. To ensure timeliness and relevance of technical
workshops and other activities, PTTC’s regional programs are developed under the
guidance of local Producer Advisory Groups. Through these volunteers and the
National Board of Directors, who are primarily domestic oil and natural gas
operators, hundreds of producers and other industry participants nationwide
contribute their time and expertise to the technology transfer program.
PTTC
is involved with foster networking people, who impact domestic
production.
Oil and Gas Producers rely upon the network for non-biased,
straight forward technical information;
Provides Technology providers with an
avenue to communicate developing or under-applied technologies to producers,
consultants, and explorationists;
Consultants better equip themselves for
serving producers, which further broadens application; and
The DOE uses the
network to disseminate its R&D results and gather insights on domestic
concerns and issues.
The relationships that are developed between the various
entities and individuals have achieved technology information transfer through
the PTTC’s programs and are reducing costs, while increasing profits, and
ultimately increasing recovery in existing mature fields, expanding recovery
from unconventional reservoirs, profitably developing ever-smaller domestic
production and reserves, and increasing environmental stewardships.
Since
1994, the PTTC was funded primarily by the DOE with matching funds by the states
and Oil and Gas industry. The PTTC's work has been a recognized force for
transferring exploration and production technology to domestic U.S. producers.
In 2006, the U.S. Congress declined to provide fiscal year 2007 funding for many
elements of the DOE’s natural gas and oil R&D program, from which PTTC drew
its federal funds. DOE ultimately provided $1 million of funding through
September 2008 to help PTTC transition to a primarily industry-funded
organization.
Due these evets, the Executive Committee of AAPG and the Board
of PTTC both voted in late September for AAPG to assume management of the new
organization. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Petroleum
Technology Transfer Council have announced that AAPG has assumed management of
PTTC activities effective October 9, 2007.This includes fundraising, marketing
and corporate operation of the PTTC Program. The vote followed a 90-day due
diligence period. AAPG President Will Green, of Midland, Texas, said “PTTC has
perhaps the most successful scientific technology transfer program for the
independent U.S. producer and has proven its value to the industry. The
Association considers the program important for the industry, the members of
AAPG and the country.” Outgoing PTTC Chairman Gene Ames noted: “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. DOE remains a strong supporter and will strive
toward some funding albeit at a lower level than historical.” Members of the new
board of directors will be announced later. Green said PTTC’s primary tool for
transferring E&P technology will continue to be regional workshops, which
will be supplemented with a strong Web presence, newsletters and other personal
outreach. Using these tools, PTTC will continue to connect producers, the
service sector, consultants, researchers and others with the data and technology
information needed to spur technology application.
Topics addressed by PTTC
activities have covered the full spectrum of E&P operations, including
exploration, unconventional resources, enhanced recovery processes, imaging
technology, drilling and completion, hydraulic fracturing and many others.
Serving industry locally through Regional Lead Organizations, typically at
universities or geological surveys, PTTC’s primary focus has been serving
independents. This operation model will continue in the future.