Upcoming Presentation

Hydraulic Fracturing: Fear and Loathing in the U.S.A. vs. the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Annual Dinner Meeting

The Salt Lake Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers will have its annual dinner meeting on July 18, 2011 at the University Park Marriott, located at 480 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. “Social hour” will start at about 6:15 p.m. with dinner at about 6:45 p.m. The cost is $35.00 per person; students at $15.00 per person. All are welcome. Please feel free to bring your spouse, significant other or any one who might be interested in attending. If you are interested in attending or would like more details on the event, please contact John McLennan at office:801.587.7925 or email: jmclennan@egi.utah.edu. So we can control cost, please RSVP.

Dinner Speaker

John Baza, Director DOGM Utah will present of Hydraulic Fracturing from a UT regulatory perspective. This is something that is 1) relevant to us as industry members and 2) of interest to our families because of the coverage that hydraulic fracturing receives in the media. The title of the talk is: “Hydraulic Fracturing: Fear and Loathing in the U.S.A vs. the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread.”

Presentation Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing seems to be everywhere in mainstream media these days. Newspaper and magazine articles, discussions in the halls of government and even in prime time network television. But why all the fuss and furor? Let us examine the facts and even some of the fiction involving hydraulic fracturing. We will aslo review what various groups around the U.S. are doing to address some of the public concerns regarding this technology used by the petroleum industry.

Speaker Biography

Mr. John Baza is the Director of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, having been appointed to that position in May 2005. He holds degrees in petroleum engineering from Stanford University, and his work experience includes engineering positions with major and independent petroleum companies including Phillips Petroleum Co, Amoc Production Co, and Flying J Oil and Gas Inc.  Mr Baza has spent over 20 years with the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Now as the Director of DOGM, he administers the Division’s efforts in the areas of petroleum, coal mining, and mineral mining, along with abandoned mine reclamation.