The Energy Resources Initiative
at the South Dakota
School of Mines & Technology hosts the New
Horizons Energy Conference, Oct. 25-26, 2018. The conference includes oral and poster
presentations on Thursday, Oct. 25, and field trip options to the Black Hills
and the Sanford
Underground Research Facility, along with a short
course on Friday Oct. 26.
The conference focuses on
geological energy-related research, including oil, gas and geothermal resources,
and topics related to energy and the environment. Those presenting research include SD Mines
students, professors, regional energy producers and nationally recognized experts
in their fields from the United States and Canada. Research topics range from methods to enhance
oil and gas production, to protecting the environment, to boosting geothermal
energy production.
“SD Mines is in a unique location
within a few hours drive of three large oil and gas production areas: the
Bakken in North Dakota, the Powder River in Wyoming just on the other side of
the Black Hills, and the Niobrara play in northeastern Colorado,” said Dan
Soeder, Director of the Energy Resources Initiative at SD Mines. “We have access to outcrops of important
source rocks like the Pierre Shale and Niobrara within a few miles of
campus. In addition, we have been able
to partner with DOE and the national labs to use the unique facilities at the Sanford
Lab to perform geothermal energy research that is deep underground, yet still easily
accessible.”
The conference will include opening
statements from City Council Member Lisa Modrick of Ward 1 on October 25 and a
wide range of research topics (the preliminary agenda).
The day will conclude with a Public Energy Policy Panel discussion from 5-6 p.m.
in the SD Mines Surbeck Center. This panel is moderated by recent SD Mines
graduate and current State Representative Scyller Borglum, Ph.D. The
evening also includes poster presentations and a reception from 6-7 p.m. in the
Paleontology Research Laboratory on the campus of SD Mines (campus map). Information and a link to the conference
registration website can be found on the Energy Resources Initiative webpage.
Registration is available by credit card on-line until the
day of the conference, or at the door with cash or a personal check. The
Energy Policy panel at 5 PM is open to the public free of charge.
On October 26 the conference includes
two options for geologic field trips: 1) the geology of the northern Black
Hills and 2) an underground visit to the 4850 ft level of the Sanford
Underground Research Facility. (This trip is currently full and only accepting
standby participants.) A continuing
education course by the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council is also offered on
October 26 for professionals in the oil and gas industry.
The New
Horizons Energy Conference falls on the heels of the Black Hills Digital Mapping Association
Conference Oct. 23-24,
2018.