Last October, the Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) announced its Shale Gas Innovation Competition. The results are now in and two organizations in State College, PA are the winners, receiving $25,000 each.
Polymics LTD won for their design of a lightweight, reusable and leak-proof mat system that is used at drill sites to contain mud and fluids while the drill pad is under construction. The second winner was the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute at Penn State University for their development of a “patch box” system that converts diesel truck fleets to use natural gas. Ten additional finalists were also named. In all, 12 new innovative technologies were identified that will help propel the shale drilling industry forward, making drilling safer and more efficient. From the SGICC press release: The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is pleased to announce the winners of its Shale Gas Innovation Competition. The contest, which was announced in October 2011, offered a total of $50,000 in cash prizes for the two best shale gas-oriented innovations in two categories – new products/services and new technologies. Each winner was awarded $25,000 by C. Alan Walker, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) at an event held in Harrisburg, PA, on May 22, 2012.
The finalists included:
The competition was co-sponsored by the Marcellus Shale Coalition (www.marcelluscoalition.org), Little Pine Resources (www.littlepineresources.com), Chesapeake Energy (http://www.chesapeake.com), First National Bank (http://www.fnb-online.com), and Schlumberger (www.slb.com). The judges, all of whom are senior gas industry experts, included representatives from the sponsoring companies as well as CONSOL Energy Inc and Range Resources. About the SGICC The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org), an initiative of Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP (www.cnp.benfranklin.org), is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The Center’s goal is to increase sustainable employment and wealth creation in Pennsylvania that has the potential to outlast the initial exploration, production and transportation of natural gas from the formations. The Center will also identify, support and commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset.* *Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (May 24, 2012) – Shale Gas Innovation Contest Identifies 12 New Technologies Original Source: http://marcellusdrilling.com/2012/05/shale-gas-innovation-contest-ids-12-new-technologies/ |