Check back regularly for SHALE INSIGHT™ 2020 program developments.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
| 10:00 am – 11:30 am | SHALE INSIGHT™ 2020 Welcome
MSC Chairman Industry Remarks
A Virtual Welcome to the Key States: PA, OH and WV Senator Toomey will reflect on the critical, positive impacts of natural gas development on our nation’s energy and national security, and provide insight on his role as a leading proponent on behalf of the men and women who work in America’s energy industry.
Game Changer: Update on the Shell Petrochemical Facility Buildout One of Shell Pennsylvania’s leading executives will share an inside view and update on the game changing petrochemical facility buildout, which is already transforming the Appalachian region and U.S. petrochemical industry. Now two-thirds complete, this $6 billion investment has already created 7,200 jobs and is drawing investment attention of other chemical facilities and product manufacturers from around the nation.
Turning World Class Energy into Life-Sustaining Essential Products In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, this unique panel session provides attendees the opportunity to hear directly from experts and manufacturers impacting the healthcare industry, personal protection equipment and the everyday cleaning products used to create clean environments, treat patients and keep workers safe – all from natural gas derivatives.
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| 11:30 am – 11:45 am | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 11:45 am – 12:15 pm | A View from the Top: Energy’s Outlook and Use
This keynote will focus on how the U.S. energy revolution, with Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia at its epicenter, continues to fuel a global competitive and economic advantage while improving our environment. As the top U.S. energy official, Secretary Brouillette will share his vision of the U.S. energy portfolio’s projected evolution and consumption demands while highlighting the region’s major investments in petrochemical, manufacturing, power generation and refinery revitalization. Lastly, the keynote address will explain why fossil fuels remain the only reliable energy source for the foreseeable future.
SHALE INSIGHT™ Day 1 General Session Recap and Introduction to Breakouts
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| 12:15 pm – 12:30 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Breakout Sessions
Pipeline Development: Legal Challenges and Federal Permitting Issues Join leading legal and industry analysts for an insightful panel discussion focusing on the current legal challenges and federal permitting issues facing pipeline projects. Timely topics to be examined include the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on pipeline crossings beneath the Appalachian Trail, court challenges and proposed changes to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit 12 , revisions to 401 water quality certification requirements and the proposed definition of “habitat” under the Endangered Species Act regulations. 1.0 Continuing Legal Education Credit
Technology Showcase Shale Insight’s annual Technology Showcase provides a premiere opportunity for developers of emerging technologies to introduce new innovations to the natural gas industry and its service providers. Selected from a competitive field of entries by the MSC Research Collaborative, join this session to hear the latest about technologies coming our way. To view the presenting companies, click here. |
| 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | Breakout Sessions
Marcellus Squares Chances are good that, these days, you’ve been spending a lot of time in virtual meetings, with the images of your clients and colleagues arranged in squares across your computer screen. This arrangement may remind you of a certain beloved game show from years gone by. Using a format that’s inspired by the show — with a host, announcer, contestants, and “celebrities” in squares — this presentation will cover recent developments in oil and gas law and examine industry issues that may drive future legal developments. Come prepared to be educated and entertained! 1.0 Continuing Legal Education Credit
Effectively Managing Landslide Hazards within an Integrity Management Framework Landslides have resulted in multiple pipeline ruptures in the Appalachian region in the past few years. However, management of this hazard does not fit easily into traditional integrity management approaches and identifying and managing landslides prior to an incident can seem daunting. Join an industry leading panel to discuss a straightforward logical approach to identifying, characterizing, and managing landslides before an incident occurs. The panel discussion will put landslides into an integrity management framework and demonstrate how existing pipeline integrity management programs can successfully reduce risk from this challenging hazard. 1.0 Professional Development Hour
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| 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Breakout Sessions
Pre and Post Asset Acquisitions: Due Diligence and EPA Violation Forgiveness Failure to identify, evaluate, and manage liabilities during the acquisition process of oil and gas assets can result in considerable pitfalls. Unknown liabilities can turn a once-great deal into a financial, legal, or scheduling quagmire. Recognizing and considering liabilities when planning a transaction is essential to the decision-making process. Responsibilities do not end at the closing, however; there are plenty of items to address post-closing that can make for an easier process of incorporating the new asset into the buyer’s overall portfolio. Join the presenters for an informative discussion of due diligence considerations, followed by a focus on air-related liabilities and the EPA’s New Owner Audit Program for Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production Facilities, which provides a grace period to achieve compliance without fear of repercussions. 1.0 Professional Development Hour
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
| 10:00 am – 11:15 am | SHALE INSIGHT™ Welcome Back
A Virtual Welcome to the Key States: PA, OH and WV
A Reality Check: “Green” Energy, Mines, and Minerals Green energy advocates are doubling down on pressure to increase the use of wind, solar power and electric cars. Left out of the discussion is any serious consideration of the broad environmental and supply-chain implications of renewable energy. The facts are that all energy-producing machinery must be fabricated from earth extracted materials and worn out renewable energy hardware must be disposed; creating unprecedented global mining, exacerbated environmental impacts, and a vulnerable U.S. renewable energy supply-chain dependent on key minerals from foreign countries.
Decarbonization of Natural Gas: The New Frontier Now
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| 11:15 am – 11:30 am | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | Industry and Labor: A Business Partnership for America’s Growth
Building a successful business partnership which promotes job creation and economic growth requires that industry and labor find common ground and support for one another so that together the community prospers. The natural gas industry along with the building trades have been shining examples of how to get that done. From jobs to pipelines to LNG exports, listen to a panel of industry and labor leaders as they discuss the successes, challenges and opportunities ahead for such a partnership.
SHALE INSIGHT™ Day 2 General Session Recap and Introduction to Breakouts
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| 12:15 pm – 12:30 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Breakout Sessions
Go With the Flow: Applying Natural Stream Design Principles for Pipeline Exposure Repairs Pipelines cross thousands of streams throughout the country. Such hydromodification to these dynamic and erosive systems may cause natural and impaired stream migration, which can eventually expose and damage high-value infrastructure. Traditional solutions can be short term or expensive and could exacerbate stream impairment or require lengthy outages. Plan to join this timely session for a discussion on how to apply natural stream design principles – focused on long-term channel and bank stability and flood resiliency – to repair exposures while keeping the pipeline in service 1.0 Professional Development Hour
Water and Waste Handling: Studies and Stories This session will discuss the trends in water and waste storage, transport, recycling and disposal practices across the Tri-state area. Join industry and legal analysts as they provide an overview of the latest state and federal regulatory developments, and how those developments intersect with current industry pressures. Panelists also will discuss and provide expert analysis on the results of produced water studies by USEPA and the Marcellus Shale Coalition. 1.0 Continuing Legal Education Credit
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| 1:30 pm – 1:45 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | Breakout Sessions
Spill Reporting and Remediation Pennsylvania has multiple layers of reporting obligations applicable to potential spills or releases of regulated substances at unconventional well sites. What triggers reporting obligations, how reporting takes place, when reporting is required and what consequences flow from spills or releases of regulated substances are all issues that are sparking ongoing discussion and engagement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, the regulations governing unconventional well sites contain unique requirements that apply to the investigation and remediation of environmental impacts from spills and releases of regulated substances. The manner in which these requirements mesh with the environmental cleanup program under the Pennsylvania Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act remains unresolved. This session will explore the ongoing dynamics of spill reporting and remediation requirements for the natural gas industry. 1.0 Continuing Legal Education Credit
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| 2:45 pm – 3:00 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |
| 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Breakout Sessions
Between Human Resources and Occupational Safety and Health issues, what kind of plan do we need for COVID-19 now? Sponsored by Steptoe & Johnson This presentation will assist companies and their employees navigate employment issues regarding childcare, school closures, leave issues, virtual learning, home schooling, and teleworking arrangements which have become necessary as a result of COVID-19. In addition, panelists will provide timely updates on OSHA enforcement and related employers’ responsibilities due to COVID-19. 1.0 Continuing Legal Education Credit
NORM and TENORM: A Discussion with Key Regulatory Officials Regulations for NORM/TENORM vary across state and federal jurisdictions. Join this timely discussion to gain an insider’s perspective of the current and forthcoming regulatory environment throughout the Appalachian Basin. Agency and technical experts will discuss the regulatory differences, as well as the state of the industry related to NORM and TENORM, with a focus on the high level of expertise brought by those employed by the industry and are involved in the process of shale gas development. 1.0 Professional Development Hour
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020
| 10:00 am – 12:05 pm | SHALE INSIGHT™ Welcome Back
A Virtual Welcome from the Region and Local Impact Commenting on the natural gas industry’s importance to the Tri-State Region, and in particular, the economic impact to Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The Future Workforce: Preparing for Careers in the Natural Gas Industry Learn from an energy industry leading executive and top university official about the opportunities and careers available in the natural gas industry and how universities are preparing the energy workforce of tomorrow.
Fireside Chat: ESG in the Oil and Gas Industry Do you know about ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in the oil and gas industry? It’s been getting a lot of focus in the corporate space, particularly when it comes to financing and investment capital discussions. C-suite conversations related to ESG corporate sustainability abound in the oil and natural gas industry. Are you spending the right amount of time working on scorecards and metrics with your investment bankers and energy partners. Listen in on a conversation with CEOs and learn what you can do to stay on top of the money game.
A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations As global demand for power doubles every two decades, electricity remains one of the most difficult forms of energy to supply and do so reliably. Today, some three billion people live in places where per-capita electricity use is less than what is used by an average American refrigerator. In A Question of Power, veteran journalist Robert Bryce tells the human story of electricity and explains why some countries have successfully electrified while so many have remained in the dark. He powerfully debunks the notion that our energy needs can be met solely with renewables and explains how we close the colossal gap between the electricity rich and the electricity poor will determine our future.
Closing Keynote: American Energy Dominance, American Energy Security SHALE INSIGHT™ 2020’s closing keynote address by Larry Kudlow, Assistant to the U.S. President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council, will provide a key White House insider’s perspective on the importance of U.S. energy dominance and security to drive domestic and global economic policy. Mr. Kudlow’s experience includes serving under President Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget, chief economist and senior managing director for Bear Stearns & Company and CNBC Senior Contributor and host of CNBC’s primetime show “The Kudlow Report.” He is also the author of “JFK and the Reagan Revolution: A Secret History of American Prosperity” and “American Abundance: The New Economic and Moral Prosperity.”
SHALE INSIGHT™ 2020 Closing Remarks and Thank You
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| 12:05 pm – 12:30 pm | Virtual Exhibit Break |