Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) Established Spring of 2011 by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA Goals & Objectives: Discover, encourage and support translational research and technological developments in small companies to benefit the growth of the shale gas play in Pennsylvania in an environmentally sound manner to create jobs for the citizens of the Commonwealth
Examples of recent efforts Funding Translational Research Treatment of AMD w/ Industrial Partner Funding R&D for dual fuel conversion of large engines w/industrial Partner Funding inventory of shallow gas wells for micro grid analysis with an Industrial Partner
Examples of recent efforts Assisting a start up company convert off the road vehicles to utilize LNG Co Sponsored the Innovation Expo at the MSC Shale Gas Insight 2011 Event in Philadelphia Sponsored a second $50k Innovation Contest Commerialization Center
SGICC $50,000 Innovation Contest Sponsors: MSC Little Pine Resources Chesapeake First National Bank Schlumberger Two $25K Awards: Most Promising Research in a New Technology Best New Product or Service Applications were due by January 30, 2011 Received over 50 applications!
Sponsored a Shale Gas Innovation Workshop in November, 2011 Workshop Goals were to: Understand the shale gas industry s technical needs and operational challenges Presented current research interests, ideas and solutions (20 university and entrepreneur presentations) Provided an opportunity for interaction between industry, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to promote collaboration and joint commercialization initiatives
Innovation Workshop Participants Shale Gas Industry Leaders World Class Researchers Entrepreneurs Key Representatives of Government Representatives of large and small industry service providers
Working closely with an Industry Consultant to Identify Industry Needs Developed Report Addressing opportunities of interest to the Shale Gas Companies in 4 areas: Exploration Drilling & Completions Monetization Right to Operate
Identified 9 Critical Needs Areas based on interviews with 30 industry experts Exploration: Ability to identify NG sweet spots Improve Predictive Modeling Capabilities Develop tools for in situ hydrocarbon characterization
Critical Needs Areas (cont.) Drilling & Completions: Develop faster, cleaner, and cheaper drilling and completions technologies Improve fracturing effectiveness with fewer non performing fractures (currently projected that approx. 15% of available gas extracted!) Increase hydrocarbon recovery and reduce shale gas well decline rates
Critical Needs Areas (cont.) Gas Monetization & Right to Operate: Increase attractiveness and adoption of natural gas based transportation Develop cheap and scalable natural gas conversion/ utilization processes Optimize water footprint through reduction, recycle, and treatment processes
Critical Needs Area Analysis Take Aways? Although the oil & gas industry has been around for a very long time, the shale gas play is new and revolutionary! Opportunities for Innovation and New Product and Service Solutions are needed all along the value chain
Bill Hall, Director, Shale Gas Innovation and Commerialization Center
Some Examples of the Innovation Contest Ideas that have been received are: Exploration Concepts submitted include. a novel technique to perform airborne mapping of shale gas prospects to. an all digital visualization approach to traditional oil and gas exploration processes.
Some Examples of the Innovation Contest Ideas Drilling & Completions Concepts submitted include. Equipment weatherization concepts for shale gas operations taking place in harsh climates (like PA not Texas!) to. Novel high temperature polymers for down hole use that provide chemical resistant coatings and linings for corrosion protection in fluid transfer components
Some Examples of the Innovation Contest Ideas Monetization Concepts submitted include. A novel combined compressor and heat exchanger technology that will inexpensively recover small amounts of natural gas to convert them to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to An improved aftermarket Natural Gas and Diesel duel fuel conversion kit for heavy trucks that is optimized for fuel economy versus increased power
Some Examples of the Innovation Contest Ideas Right to Work Concepts submitted include. A novel technology to separate the oil and other organic contaminants from the drill cuttings to allow potential secondary uses of the cuttings (other than landfilling) to A more sophisticated site selection process to identify and source fresh/ usable water for fracking that minimizes community and environmental impacts
So. Where does the Supply Chain begin and end to support the shale gas play? What we are finding lots of folks have ideas and possible solutions all along the supply chain Many are just looking for the entrance ramp in to the play and idea validation Others are looking for early stage investment in their ideas
A couple more examples of Opportunity Areas. Novel Liner System for the well pads Current HDPE based composite liner system Seams welded on site; heavy (requires large equipment to place); leak proof? Can still be punctured; thrown away at end of drilling on that pad Future systems? Different material(s); light weight (installed by 2 men?); rugged (impenetrable?); REUSABLE! Commerialization Center
Another Opportunity Area Long Haul Truck Conversions to Natural Gas What about the box trailer, and the trucker s cab? Need natural gas HVAC systems for REEFER/ Temperature Control boxes Need properly sized natural gas generators and HVAC systems for the trucker s sleeper cab for both electricity and temp control Need all of the systems to meet all of the regulatory requirements to be legal in all states Need new testing equipment to test and certify these systems and companies providing this service Commercialization Center
In Closing. Opportunities for Innovation & Commercialization exist all along the value/ supply chain Role of SGICC? Continue the conversation with industry, researchers, and entrepreneurs to identify opportunities host topic specific seminars, webinars Continue to be a focal point for Innovation Bridge the research/entrepreneurial gap to commercialization, November 18, 2011
Thank You for your attention! John Siggins Portfolio Manager Ben Franklin Technology Partners www.sgicc.org www.cnp.benfranklin.org 814 865 2879 jes42@psu.edu, November 18, 2011