Returning to an in-person event, the annual Shale Insight conference focused squarely on shale development’s next decade and the ways companies are meaningfully advancing environment, social and governance objectives.
Gathering at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, more than 500 attendees heard from keynote speakers on how this industry continues to grow and make incredible technical, environmental, and sustainability gains, and breakout sessions detailing how companies and partners are working hard for long-term improvements.
“A decade-plus ago, we were in Shale Gas 1.0 – cracking the code to unleash America’s energy abundance. In the mid-teens we embarked on Shale Gas 2.0– building out infrastructure, exploring our export potential, and advancing manufacturing in this country,” Marcellus Shale Coalition president David Callahan told attendees in his opening remarks.
“Today, we’re entering Shale Gas 3.0 – an era of incredible challenges and opportunities as our industry continues to evolve…What do we, as leaders of this world-changing industry need to do to continue to advance American energy development and utilization, and extend -not relinquish- the many economic and environmental benefits enjoyed by all in this new era.”
From federal policy, to ESG, to showcasing cutting-edge research and development occurring across the natural gas industry, here’s ‘What They’re Saying’ About SHALE INSIGHT 2021:
Marcellus Shale Coalition to highlight manufacturing, ESG and more with Shale Insight 2021
Another key thrust will be emissions reductions and the role ESG is playing in the natural gas industry. Marisa Buchanan, managing director and global head of sustainability at JPMorgan Chase, will be a part of a panel that will talk about the energy finance industry’s role in natural gas development.
“We’re going to discuss the nexus of the energy world, the financial world and the environment,” Callahan said. “You’re going to hear a lot of discussion about the energy future for natural gas and how the industry itself is evolving, with or without government mandates.”
Shale Event Highlights Need for Natural Gas in PA
“As more turbines and panels become part of the power grid itself, Callahan said natural gas and its ability to fire up quickly and provide very reliable and resilient service to the grid becomes even more important.”
“Let’s not forget that our world is touched, whether it’s in the medical community, the homebuilding community, etc. by plastics and the things that are made from natural gas and natural gas liquids,” Callahan noted. “We have that domestic industry in Pennsylvania and in the Appalachian region and it keeps costs low. It keeps our lives progressing.”
Annual shale energy industry event returns to its roots
Dave Callahan, the new president of MSC, said it was time to move the event out of the bigger cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to cities like Erie because of the outsize positive impact they have in guiding the industry to the future.
“Erie and counties along the top tier of this state have historically been these manufacturing powerhouses that have contributed to the birth of the energy industry here 100 years ago and into today,” Callahan said. “We picked Erie to highlight that importance and highlight the opportunities here for downstream manufacturing.”
Marcellus Shale Coalition: The new era of American shale
But just as energy predictions in the early 2010s weren’t completely accurate, there is no crystal ball to predict what the future holds for this new energy decade. However, one thing we can be certain is that America’s natural gas industry will never stop innovating and pushing the envelope in the quest of producing and delivering the energy that’s so critical to our lives.
Because of that commitment, we have achieved a state of energy security and environmental progress many once thought could never be possible. It is my hope that we all work collaboratively – across the political spectrum and industry sectors – to not let these advantages slip away.
Natural Gas Industry Conference: Showcases the Importance of Natural Gas
“500 people fill the Bayfront Convention Center to learn about the importance of that industry. The president of the Shale Coalition, noting that the natural gas industry touches everyone’s lives – from heating their homes to the plastic products they use every day.”
Our Region’s Business – Shale Insight Conference
“One of the major themes is the energy future and continued evolution of this industry. You touched upon the difference in the industry from 2008, but it’s different from 2018 as well. The industry – thanks to constant innovation, entrepreneurship, and more – is constantly making strides to be more efficient and to do things in different, more efficient, cleaner ways.”
Conference at Bayfront Convention Center showcasing importance of natural gas
“Again, going back to Erie’s history as a strong manufacturing base, and just the way that we’ve been treated the whole time, it made for a natural fit to bring the conference here. And you can see from the enthusiasm here that the attendees are enjoying it as well.
“We want to be a partner with any administration – at the federal, state, to the local level. We want to show anybody in power what our industry does, the benefits that can accrue to this country, not just economically but environmentally as well.”
