National oil meeting scheduled in Billings

Sidney Herald

The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a 30 state government agency, is holding its annual Midyear Issues Summit, “Technology: The Sky’s the Limit,”which is an open meeting in Billings May 21-23.

“A wide variety of topics will be discussed including the oil price differential. The task force’s preliminary findings will be revealed with the final results due in October, and several other topics will be addressed in the subcommittees’ meetings,” Erica Carr, IOGCC communications manager, said.

The three-day conference will include governors, congressional leaders and national energy experts discussing how the sky’s the limit for oil and gas technology. Various sessions focusing on key topics in technology, state regulation and energy policy will be available. Oil experts from across the country will have the opportunity to network while visiting Montana.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Montana; Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming, chairman of IOGCC; Gov. John Hoeven, North Dakota; and Gov. Frank Murkowski, Alaska, will address the audience Monday morning in the general session in the Whitetail Room at the Sheraton Billings Hotel.

Also during the general session, Bryan Hassler, Wyoming Pipeline Authority, will present “Oil Price Differential,” and Harold Hamm, Continental Resources Inc., will present “Crude Oil Movements.”

During the Energy Resources, Research and Technology Committee session Monday afternoon, James Barnes, National Energy Technology Laboratory, will present “Marginal Expense Oil Well Wireless Surveillance,” and Dr. Mary Carr, Colorado School of Mines, will present “Web-based Core Locator System.”

During the Environment and Safety Committee session the lineup includes “Produced Water Management Practices Grant Update,” “Powder River Basin CBM Water Treatment” and “Production, Gathering, Flow Line and Produced Water Line Regulation: Why States Need to Take Action.”

The agenda for May 23 includes Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee topics as well as Public Lands Committee topics such as “The Surface Owner Dilemma: A Colorado Perspective.”

The registration fee to attend the open meeting is $445. Registration can be completed online at IOGCC’s Web site, www.iogcc.state.ok.us/events.html.

ellenr@sidneyherald.com