PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COUNCİL

The Petroleum Technology TransferCouncil (PTTC) is an American national not-for-profit organization establishedin 1994 by producers, state organizations and the Department of Energy (DOE).While emphasizing the needs of independent oil and gas producers, PTTC’sactivities also benefit industry consultants, service and supply companies, andother industry participants. To ensure timeliness and relevance of technicalworkshops and other activities, PTTC’s regional programs are developed under theguidance of local Producer Advisory Groups. Through these volunteers and theNational Board of Directors, who are primarily domestic oil and natural gasoperators, hundreds of producers and other industry participants nationwidecontribute their time and expertise to the technology transfer program.PTTCis involved with foster networking people, who impact domesticproduction.Oil and Gas Producers rely upon the network for non-biased,straight forward technical information;Provides Technology providers with anavenue to communicate developing or under-applied technologies to producers,consultants, and explorationists;Consultants better equip themselves forserving producers, which further broadens application; andThe DOE uses thenetwork to disseminate its R&D results and gather insights on domesticconcerns and issues.The relationships that are developed between the variousentities and individuals have achieved technology information transfer throughthe PTTC’s programs and are reducing costs, while increasing profits, andultimately increasing recovery in existing mature fields, expanding recoveryfrom unconventional reservoirs, profitably developing ever-smaller domesticproduction and reserves, and increasing environmental stewardships.Since1994, the PTTC was funded primarily by the DOE with matching funds by the statesand Oil and Gas industry. The PTTC's work has been a recognized force fortransferring exploration and production technology to domestic U.S. producers.In 2006, the U.S. Congress declined to provide fiscal year 2007 funding for manyelements of the DOE’s natural gas and oil R&D program, from which PTTC drewits federal funds. DOE ultimately provided $1 million of funding throughSeptember 2008 to help PTTC transition to a primarily industry-fundedorganization.Due these evets, the Executive Committee of AAPG and the Boardof PTTC both voted in late September for AAPG to assume management of the neworganization. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the PetroleumTechnology Transfer Council have announced that AAPG has assumed management ofPTTC activities effective October 9, 2007.This includes fundraising, marketingand corporate operation of the PTTC Program. The vote followed a 90-day duediligence period. AAPG President Will Green, of Midland, Texas, said “PTTC hasperhaps the most successful scientific technology transfer program for theindependent U.S. producer and has proven its value to the industry. TheAssociation considers the program important for the industry, the members ofAAPG and the country.” Outgoing PTTC Chairman Gene Ames noted: “Strengths ofPTTC will be the same – most universities will stay engaged, regional volunteergroups will be autonomous and work closely with the universities,cross-discipline diversity will be encouraged, and producers will comprise themajority of the volunteers. DOE remains a strong supporter and will strivetoward some funding albeit at a lower level than historical.” Members of the newboard of directors will be announced later. Green said PTTC’s primary tool fortransferring E&P technology will continue to be regional workshops, whichwill be supplemented with a strong Web presence, newsletters and other personaloutreach. Using these tools, PTTC will continue to connect producers, theservice sector, consultants, researchers and others with the data and technologyinformation needed to spur technology application.Topics addressed by PTTCactivities have covered the full spectrum of E&P operations, includingexploration, unconventional resources, enhanced recovery processes, imagingtechnology, drilling and completion, hydraulic fracturing and many others.Serving industry locally through Regional Lead Organizations, typically atuniversities or geological surveys, PTTC’s primary focus has been servingindependents. This operation model will continue in the future