The Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy

Information on the Draft 2009 Annual Plan and Federal Register Notice for URTAC October 16 Meeting can be found below.

The Secretary of Energy, in response to provisions of Subtitle J, Sec. 999 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, must carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies for ultra-deepwater and onshore unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production, as well as addressing the technology challenges for small producers, safe operations, and environmental mitigation (including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration of carbon). 

RELATED NEWS Fossil Energy's Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Program Sec. 999 Library

The Department's Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee (URTAC) was established to advise on the development and implementation of programs related to onshore unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources, and review and comment on the program's annual plan. The URTAC is comprised of Special Government employees, academia, environmental and industry representatives.  Special Government employees are appointed by the Secretary of Energy for their expertise in a particular area and advise the Secretary with their own opinion, whereas the other members of the committee represent a point of view held by a particular group or class of stakeholders. The Draft 2009 Annual Plan for the Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program can be found under "Relevant Documents" below.

The Sixth Meeting of the Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee was held September 11-12, 2008 in Alexandria, VA.  The Committee began its review of the 2009 Annual Plan.  Previous reviews of the 2007 Annual Plan and the 2008 Annual Plan resulted in written recommendations many of which have already been implemented. 

Items of interest for the upcoming meetings:

• Meeting Notice, 
• Overview of the Department's Oil and Natual Gas Program and NETL Strategic Center of Natural Gas and Oil, within which the Ultra-Deepwater Program is managed,
• Research activities planned for 2009 were discussed, and
• Subcommittees were formed to develop findings and recommendations for presentation  at the Committees Seventh Meeting.

During the Seventh Meeting (October 16) and the Eighth Meeting (October 23), the Committee will hear and discuss the Subcommittee reports, determine its final recommendations, and adjourn its work on the 2009 Annual Plan.  All meetings of the Committee are open to the public. 

     2008-2010 Unconventional Resources Technology Advisory Committee Members

Mr. A. Scott Anderson Environmental Defense Fund Austin, TX	Mr. Bob Hardage*  University of Texas at Austin  Austin, TX
Dr. Nancy J. Brown* Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory  Berkeley, CA	Mr. Fred C. Julander   Julander Energy Company  Englewood, CO
Ms. Jessica J. Cavens  EnCana Oil & Gas (USA)  Denver, CO	Dr. Raymond A. Levey*  University of Utah  Salt Lake City, UT
Dr. Jeffery T. Cline* Cline Energy Consulting Houston, TX	Dr. Sandra D. Mark  Black Hills Exploration and Production  Evergreen, CO
Mr. William S. Daugherty NGAS Resources, Inc.  Lexington, KY	Dr. Shahab D. Mohaghegh*   West Virginia University  Morgantown, WV
Mr. James P. Dwyer   Baker Hughes  Houston, TX	Mr. Don L. Sparks  Discovery Operating, Inc.  Midland, TX
Ms. Juliette A. Falkner  The Nature Conservancy  Arlington, VA	Dr. Berry H. Tew   State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama  Tuscaloosa, AL
Mr. Jeffrey D. Hall  Devon Energy Corporation  Edmond, OK	Ms. Janet Weiss   BP America, Inc.  Houston, TX
Mr. J. Chris Hall President  Drilling Production Co.  Torrance, CA	Ms. Sally G. Zinke  Ultra Petroleum  Englewood, CO

                 *  Special Government employee

   Relevant Documents
 

• Draft 2009 Annual Plan, August 2008 - [2.17MB PDF]
• Federal Register Notice of URTAC October 16, 2008 Meeting [43.1KB PDF]
• 2008- 2010 URTAC Advisory Committee Charter, July 2008 - [182KB PDF]
• URTAC Comments and Recommendations for 2008 Annual Plan - [803KB PDF]
• Sec. 999D(b) and (c) of EPACT- Membership Roles and Duties of Advisory Committee [8.35KB PDF]

Questions regarding the Committee should be directed to Elena Melchert at 202/586-5600.