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. P. 607

This paper will describe how the Oil and Gas industry can become involved in shaping a new national program to aid in the transfer of technology from a variety of sources to the hands of the local independents. Technology Transfer has been a "buzzword" in the Oil & Gas Industry for some time now. Most of us might admit that it has been more of a "buzzword" and less of an activity than we would like. While most of the operators in the Appalachian Basin want to apply the latest in technology to their exploration and production activities is has quite often been difficult to find the appropriate technology. The Department of Energy, realizing that much of the technology which exists involving Oil and Gas is seldom applied by those who work so hard to produce it efficiently, has instigated the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC). The PTTC will be a national "umbrella" organization formed by the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), in cooperation with the state and regional oil and gas producer associations, the Gas Research Institute (GRI), the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGGCC), and other groups. The mission of the PTTC is to foster the effective transfer of exploration and production technology to domestic producers in all regions of the country. One of the most important functions of the program will be to provide a feedback loop so that the needs and concerns of producers can be communicated effectively to the entire research community and to the Department of Energy. The PTTC program has three main components: Problem Identification WorkshopsFocused Technology WorkshopsRegional Resource Centers The PTTC has the potential to aid producers in the Appalachian Basin if they understand the program and become involved in directing it to serve their needs. 1994 will be the formative year, ultimately deciding its acceptance by regional producers.

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Summary Independent operators need access to new technologies that reduce the costs of finding, drilling, and producing oil and natural gas. The problem is that identifying new and existing cost-effective technologies are often beyond the reach of independents because of their limited resources. These exploration and production (E&P) companies must gain electronic access to available technologies if they are going to survive in today's changing industry conditions. The Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) was formed by the E&P industry as a national non-profit organization to address the technology needs of US companies, mainly independents. Its mission is two fold:to facilitate and accelerate the effective flow of technology information from R&D organizations to the US upstream industry, andto provide a feedback mechanism through which operators can inform the R&D community about their priority research and technology needs. PTTC has received some seed money from the US Department of Energy (DOE), and also receives funding from several state governments, industry, universities, state geological surveys and other sources. Although it has only been in existence since 1994, PTTC has made great strides in identifying and prioritizing the industry's technical problems, and assessing which technologies provide possible solutions. Regional resource centers have been opened in many areas to provide producers with access to computers, analytical software, databases, referral services and technical assistance. PTTC has established a varied outreach program to improve accessibility to technologies. One of its most popular services is the national network on the World Wide Web that links its national home page with the ten regional websites. Through its function as a national clearinghouse, PTTC is successfully transferring the latest advancements in exploration, reservoir characterization, drilling, production, offshore, and environmental technologies. These are being disseminated to a wide audience through the World Wide Web, local technology workshops and regional resource centers. Introduction A critical issue facing independents today is the need to more fully understand and more broadly apply recent developments in E&P technologies that could help increase the ultimate recovery of hydrocarbon resources and avoid their premature abandonment. To achieve the full potential of the opportunities before them, independents must have improved electronic access to existing and new advanced technologies. But it is not just a matter of having access to this information; producers need to feel comfortable with using such techniques and methods to their advantage. Many may find the new technologies are too costly or too risky. The research community is working on ways to reduce the cost and improve the reliability of technologies. PTTC has in place an outreach network ready to disseminate information immediately as it becomes available, so that the technologies can reach the operators where it is most needed. This network is comprised of effective linkages among producers, consultants, service companies, educational institutions, the R&D community, state and federal programs, and others involved in technology transfer. It also includes an active network of exchanging electronic information.

Thw paper was prepared for prBsiintOtbn at thm SPEiOOE Tenth Sympcmum on Improved Od Recovev held in Tulsa, OK, 21.24 April 1S9S This paper was selecmd for presemstion by an SPE Prcgram Committee Iollowmg review of mfofrnahon cordsmed n sn sbslract submiftad by the author(s). Ccmtents of the paper, ss presentsd, have no! ken reviewed by ths Society of Petroleum Enpmeer$ and sre subfecl to correction by the author(s). The malermi, as presentsd, dcms not necassar@ reflect any pmoon of the Society of Pstrolaum Engtieem its officcus, c+ msmbars. Papars prasented at SPE meetmgs are s.bpi to publiiatmn review ty Editorial Committees of the Soc&y of Petroleum Engineers Perm!ss!on fo mpy IS restrlde.1 to an abstract of not more than 300 words. IIlustrahons may not bs copier. The abstract shou!d conlain conspicuous acknowledgment of w41ereand by V.IWM the Pswr was Wasented. Wrfia Librarian, SPE, P O. Box 333836, Rlcharascm, TX 7S083-3S*, USA, fax 01-214-952-S435, Telex 163245