As part of its ongoing research related to shale development across the State of Ohio and the Marcellus and Utica Shale Plays, Ohio University will host a second OHIO Shale Policy and Technology Symposium at its Dublin Integrated Education Center in Dublin, Ohio, April 4-5.

The event begins April 4 with an optional tour of the Ohio University energy labs in Athens; round-trip transportation will be provided for registered attendees. The pre-symposium fieldtrip will provide a firsthand look at the innovative research being conducted by the faculty, staff and students at the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, the Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, the Coal Research Center and the Center for Air Quality will discuss their work related to improving the understanding and efficiencies in the production, delivery and monitoring of shale gas.

The formal symposium will take place April 5 at Ohio University-Dublin, offering a dual-track agenda on policy and technology; additional plenary sessions, networking breaks, a student poster session and catered meals are included. With more than two dozen shale energy experts confirmed to present, the event will explore ways regional communities and businesses can attract, develop, and retain the benefits derived from shale development activity using innovative policies, partnerships and technologies. Commissioner M. Beth Trombold, vice-chair for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, will provide the morning remarks.

“The Ohio Shale Symposium gives us a fantastic venue to feature the great work of the Russ College of Engineering, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and the College of Arts and Sciences in the area of shale energy, policy and economics,” said Dr. David Bayless, Gerald Loehr Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology and principal investigator on the project. “I’m excited that we are able to move the Symposium to Dublin to help attract a potentially broader audience on this statewide topic.”

This event builds off of the inaugural event, which hosted more than 80 participants, held last year in Athens.

Discounted registration is available for student, academic, government and nonprofit attendees. A full agenda and registration information can be found on the website.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 4: Optional Tour of Athens Campus Research Labs

10:30 a.m.: Depart from Dublin site

12:30 p.m.: Lunch presentation: Overview of OHIO Research Priorities and Growth Opportunities

1:30 p.m.: Poster session and tour of Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology and Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment

3 p.m.: Depart from Athens

5 p.m.: Arrive in Dublin; tour concludes

Thursday, April 5: OHIO Shale Policy & Technology Symposium

8 a.m.: Registration and continental breakfast

8:30 a.m.: Welcome and introductions

8:45 a.m.: Morning keynote speaker: Commissioner M. Beth Trombold, Vice-Chair, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)

9:30 a.m.: Networking, poster session and coffee break

9:45 a.m.: Plenary Session: Managing Risk in Shale Development

• Moderator: Michael J. Zimmer, Executive in Residence and Senior Fellow, OHIO Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Phil Hopkins, Director, Economics and Country Risk Consulting, IHS Markit
• Dr. Bill Rish, Principal Engineer, ToxStrategies, Inc.
• Todd Stephenson (’77), VP Geoscience Technology - Retired, Chesapeake Energy
• Matt Warnock, Partner, Oil and Gas, Bricker and Eckler, LLP

11:15 a.m.: Networking, poster session and coffee break

11:30 a.m.: Breakout Session 1

Policy Track 1: Building Regional Wealth

• Moderator: Jonathan Norris, Research Assistant and MSES Candidate, OHIO Voinovich School
• Kathiann Kowalski, Journalist, Midwest Energy News
• Dr. Iryna Lendel, Director, Center for Economic Development, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
• Jeannette Wierzbicki, Executive Director, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association

Technology Track 1: Innovations in Shale Production, Development and Recovery

• Moderator: Dr. David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Dr. Srikanta Mishra, Institute Fellow, Senior Research Leader and Chief Scientist, Energy, Battelle
• Michael Spencer, ISEE Researcher and Ph.D. candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Todd Stephenson (’77), VP Geoscience Technology - Retired, Chesapeake Energy

12:30 p.m.: Buffet lunch with keynote speaker Edward C. Chow, Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Glidden Visiting Professor, Ohio University

2 p.m.: Breakout Session 2

Policy Track 2: Balancing Regional and Export Industries

• Moderator: Dr. Daniel Karney, Assistant Professor, OHIO Department of Economics
• Mike Chadsey, Director of Public Relations, Ohio Oil and Gas Association
• Gordon Erndt, Senior Market Analyst, Ariel Corporation
• Phil Hopkins, Director, Economics and Country Risk Consulting, IHS Markit

Technology Track 2: Pollution Monitoring and Remediation Related to Shale Development

• Moderator: Dr. David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Dr. Kevin Crist, Professor, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology and Director, OHIO Center for Air Quality
• Dr. Jason Trembly, Associate Professor, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology and Director, OHIO Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment
• Andrew Williams, Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy, Environmental Defense Fund

3 p.m.: Breakout Session 3 and afternoon snack

Policy Track 3: Ethane Cracker Update for Eastern Ohio

• Moderator: Mike Jacoby, VP of Business Development, Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth
• Jenn Klein, President, Ohio Chemistry Technology Council
• Larry Merry, Executive Director, Belmont County Port Authority
• Dana Saucier Jr., Senior Managing Director, Energy and Petrochemical Industry, Jobs Ohio

Technology Track 3: Innovations in Shale Technology from Ohio University

• Dr. David Bayless, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Ramin Mehrani, ISEE Researcher and Ph.D. Candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• Mohammed Mohtami, ISEE Researcher and Ph.D. Candidate, OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology

4 p.m.: Symposium concludes

The Shale Innovation Project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, and the College of Arts and Sciences, examining the impact of shale development on businesses and communities in Ohio’s shale region. This project is generously supported by a three-year Innovation Strategy Award from the Ohio University Research Division.

For event details, contact Elissa Welch, Project Manager, Voinovich School, at 740-537-0112 or welche@ohio.edu. For more information, visit the event website or check out the Facebook event.