Q. What does RPSEA stand for?
A. RPSEA is the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, a nonprofit corporation established in the State of Texas. RPSEA has met the requirements for a 501(c)(3) corporation and holds a tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. RPSEA currently consists of over 100 consortium members representing virtually all sectors of the natural gas and oil supply technology value chain.
Q. Why was RPSEA formed?
A. There is a critical need for the United States to develop a next generation of technology that will make it possible to tap Ultra-deepwater and Unconventional Onshore Hydrocarbon Resources in the United States that are inaccessible or uneconomic to develop using current technology. Key drivers leading to the formation of this research consortium include the following: The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts a 20% increase in U.S. domestic natural gas consumption by 2025 along with a 58% increase in natural gas net imports over the same time period.
Q. What is the mission of RPSEA?
A. The objective of RPSEA is to leverage research dollars along with the technical expertise and experience of RPSEA Members to conduct industry led research and development work to help commercialize domestic Ultra-deepwater and Unconventional Onshore Hydrocarbon Resources. RPSEA will focus on innovative technologies to reduce the costs of production, expand and extend the nation's hydrocarbon resource base, and maintain the highest level of safety while mitigating the environmental impacts of energy production in these regions. RPSEA is also committed to reducing the burden of high energy costs on the nation’s consumers, increasing federal royalty revenue by increasing production from federal lands that are currently available to be developed, enhancing the nation’s knowledge base, increasing industrial competitiveness by lowering energy costs and promoting opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses.
Q. What work has already been undertaken by RPSEA?
A. RPSEA has operated as a robust research management consortium for over five years. Over this period RPSEA has funded projects which have focused on imaging below complex geology, prediction of rock & fluid properties, produced water, specific regional studies and project management. RPSEA has also been looking to the industry's future and has implemented and funded a fellowship program whereby graduate students have been awarded fellowships following a competitive evaluation of applicants from some of the nation's leading universities whose graduates enter the oil and gas industry.
Q. How is RPSEA corporation governed?
A. RPSEA has a Board of Directors comprised of individuals from all sectors of the oil and gas resources industry. Board Members are nominated and approved by the Board and serve for a two-year term.
Q. Where are the offices located?
A. The corporate offices of RPSEA are located in Sugar Land, Texas. (Click here for directions)
Q. Who is eligible to become a member of RPSEA?
A. Participation in RPSEA is open to all organizations resident or incorporated within the United States, Mexico and Canada and that are actively engaged in the energy industry or energy related research. Eligible entities include:
- Commercial energy companies, engaged in the business of energy exploration, production, field operations and/or transportation, and/or in the business of energy technology research, development, deployment or commercialization;
- National laboratories/Federally Funded Research Development Centers;
- Academic and other research institutions involved in natural gas and other energy research and development;
- Non-government organizations and industry trade associations with an interest in energy and/or environment science, technology or policy; and
- Federal or state governmental agencies.
If interested in membership, please submit an application for consideration.
Q. What are the costs associated with membership?
CATEGORY ANNUAL DUES
- Commercial Company with Annual Revenue > $100M
$10,000 - Commercial Company with Annual Revenue < $100M >$30M
$5,000 - Commercial Company with Annual Revenue < $30M
$1,000 - Academic Institution
$2,500 - Non-Profit Organization/Trade Association
$1,000 - State/Federal Government Entity
$2,500
Q. What opportunities are available for members to participate in RPSEA leadership roles?
A. Active participation in RPSEA by its membership is encouraged. As noted above, RPSEA is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees all aspects of the corporation. Within the Board of Directors, committees have been established to address specific aspects of this governance and are available to those Members interested in serving on them.
Q. What opportunities for R&D project funding will be available through RPSEA?
A. Three rounds of solicitations and awards have been administered for Ultra-deepwater and Unconventional Onshore Hydrocarbon Resources R&D. As the program administrator for part of the new ten year, $50 million per year Department of Energy research program, it is anticipated that there will be solicitations on a yearly basis over the life of the program.
Q. What is RPSEA’s fellowship program?
A. RPSEA has established a fellowship program with institutions of higher education. Fellowships totaling $300,000 have been awarded to qualified candidates. Proposals from candidates were evaluated on a competitive basis and fellowships were given to the most promising students with studies relevant to the oil and gas industry.
For more information please click here.
