PTTC [external site] was formed in the early 1990s as a joint federal, state, and industry collaboration to provide the domestic oil producing industry (primarily independent producers) with improved access to information about evolving and underutilized technologies. The original model envisioned that PTTC would eventually become self-supporting and efforts continue toward that end. Currently, state funding (primarily from cost-sharing by PTTC's regional organizations) continues, as does industry participation through the provision of significant time and expertise to PTTC as well as participation in PTTC activities.
PTTC continues to transfer information and results from Department of Energy (DOE)-supported R&D as well as research supported directly by the oil and gas industry to a broad stakeholder audience, including independent and other oil and natural gas producers, academia, technology developers, and the service sector. Outreach for DOE includes all aspects of the Fossil Energy (FE) Natural Gas & Oil Program, including research under Title IX, Subtitle J (Section 999) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Activities under this project are designed to (1) disseminate DOE and oil and gas industry technology and information to independent producers and other stakeholders; (2) maximize the value of that technology, expertise, and capability; and (3) facilitate the commercialization of the technology in the energy marketplace. PTTC will employ a multi-faceted technology transfer program to deliver oil-and gas- related information to stakeholders in a format that stimulates application and speeds technology adoption.