Title: The Past and Future of World Wide Oil and Gas Extraction

Biography:

Dr. Davis L. Ford is an Adjunct Professor in the College of Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, and a Visiting Professor of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University, Lubbock. He is practicing environmental engineer with over forty-five years of experience in the field. In addition, he serves on the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin as an adjunct professor, has published more than one hundred technical papers, has co-authored or contributed to ten textbooks, and written two biographies and co-authored one children’s book. He has lectured extensively throughout the United States and in countries of Europe, South America, and Asia. Ford received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Texas A&M University and his master and doctorate degrees in environmental engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a Distinguished Engineering Graduate of both Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M. Ford was elected into the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He has served as president of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and chairman of the Academy Ethics Committee. His honorary affiliations include Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, and Chi Epsilon. Ford serves on the Board of a publicly-owned oil and exploration company (CWEI, NASDAQ) and the Board of the Texas A&M University Press.

Abstract

The major producers of oil and gas extraction currently are the United States followed by Russia and Saudi Arabia. With the price of Brent Crude in the range of $70 dollars per barrel, other proven reserves in the world plan to develop production, such as Chile, Argentina, China, Canada, Mexico, and Norway offshore.  Moreover, countries with a sound GDP will be importing oil and gas as the most cost effective way, namely from cost competition in the International Market.  I will discuss areas of proven crude which will be competitively priced FOB to energy deficit countries, with the free market pricing. This presentation will also include updates on extraction of tight oil and gas being environmentally sound and protecting domestic water supplies.

Case histories of the extensive evolution of oil and gas production in the United States will address the following technical and environmental issues: Case histories which address hydraulic fracking below potable water supplies, proper casing, and now both vertical and horizontal drilling. Moreover, cost subsidies and economic pricing of oil and gas extraction, hydro power, coal, nuclear, wind, and solar.  There are no “dry holes” which are attributable to highly advanced geological technology. Safety and economic payback will also be discussed in this presentation.

Presentation will include drilling diagrams, natural gas treatment, delivery from source to energy deficient countries exported as LNG, and risk and cost analysis.