Putting Environmental Technology to Work For Independents
Authors: Rowell D. , Benton J.H. 
Published: December 2007

To exploit the remaining hydrocarbon resources in the United States, operators need access to environmental compliance and protection technologies that are affordable and effective when used to reduce the impact of exploration, drilling, completion and production operations. The problem is that these technologies are often beyond the reach of independents, who cannot afford to expend a lot of time and effort identifying effective environmental technologies for their particular operations. Independents must gain access to available technologies if they are going to survive in today's industry.

The Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) was formed by industry as a national non-profit organization to address the technology needs of US oil and natural gas companies, which are mainly independent producers. Its mission is to (1) accelerate the flow of technology information from research and development (R&D) organizations to the upstream industry, and (2) provide a feedback mechanism through which operators can inform the R&D community about their technology needs. The PTTC receives funding from Department of Energy (DOE), several state governments, industry, universities, state geological surveys and other sources.

Formed in 1994, the PTTC has made great strides in identifying the industry's technical problems and the technologies that provide solutions. The PTTC is improving the awareness of environmental technologies through workshops held locally throughout the country, publications, and an electronic information system on the Internet. In addition, it has established regional resource centers to provide access to Computers, analytical software, databases, referral services and technical assistance. Through its function as a national technology clearinghouse, the PTTC is working on transferring some of the latest advancements in environmental technologies to producers in the field. The PTTC's grassroots program helps address cost-effective solutions to environmental problems such as NORM disposal, produced water disposal and drilling waste disposal.

Introduction

Independents have long been critically important to America's energy security. They have been responsible for a large portion of the major domestic discoveries and for drilling the majority of the domestic wells. Historically, independents were primarily wildcatters. They would make the deals, drill the wells, find the oil and gas, and then sell the proven properties to a major company to develop. The independent would then use the capital received to invest in the next new wildcat.

As the independents purchased properties, their staff of engineers, geologists and geophysicists increased to enable them to maintain and exploit the resources. This trend of expansion continued through the early 1980s, until the oil price collapse of the mid 1980s caused independents to reduce staff and budgets.

Over the last fifteen years, the role of the independent has changed as uncertain oil and gas markets have caused the major oil companies to divest their US holdings, and continually move more of their capital overseas. The independent of today is not only finding resources, but also has become the main purchaser of the proven producing properties for the first time in our history. This trend is expected to continue with more properties that have been largely unexploited by the majors being transferred to independents.

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