Learning energy facts, ideas & lessons from Houston, the energy capital

[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Education continues to be a focal point for the External Affairs department here at Cabot. To recap 2014, Cabot expanded its partnership with Junior Achievement of Northeast Pennsylvania to host three separate Careers in Energy programs West Side Career & Technical Center (WSCTC), Tunkhannock High School and Mt. View High School; Cabot sponsored two Challenge Programs at Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center as well as WSCTC; Cabot facilitated a three-part lecture series at Lackawanna College in Scranton; Cabot conducted numerous operational visits for both students and teachers of area high schools; and, in April, Cabot announced the single largest donation it has ever made to create an endowment at Lackawanna College School of Petroleum & Natural Gas.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Looking to finish the year on a high note, Cabot sponsored three educational leaders – Mellissa Turlip President, JA of NE PA; Dr. Alice Davis Director, Susquehanna County CTC; Laura DelVecchio, Beaver County Career & Technology Center – to go to Houston to learn what the energy capital of the world is doing to inspire tomorrow’s energy professionals. The group had one goal, bring back energy facts, ideas and lessons to use here in Pennsylvania.
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=” Texas is:” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:25px|text_align:left|line_height:27px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

    • [vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”The leading crude oil-producing state in the nation in 2013 and exceeded production levels even from the federal offshore areas.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:25px|text_align:left|line_height:27px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
    • [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”As of January 2013, the 27 petroleum refineries in Texas had a capacity of over 5.1 million barrels of crude oil per day and accounted for almost 29% of total U.S. refining capacity.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:25px|text_align:left|line_height:27px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
    • [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”Texas accounted for about 29% of U.S. marketed natural gas production in 2013, making it the leading natural gas producer among the states.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:25px|text_align:left|line_height:27px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
    • [vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text=”Texas also leads the nation in wind-powered generation capacity with over 12,000 megawatts; in 2013 Texas generated almost 36 million megawatt hours of electricity from wind energy.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:25px|text_align:left|line_height:27px” google_fonts=”font_family:PT%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]After arriving in Houston, the group visited the world’s most sophisticated energy exhibit at the Weiss Energy Hall part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. There they explored the entire process of energy development; from how oil and natural gas are formed to the ways various types of energy are used. The hall incorporates dynamic interactive learning methods including computer graphics, touch screens, holographic video displays, and virtual reality.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The exhibit hall features 12 all-new, excursions into the world of energy, including:

  • The Formation video wall takes visitors on a high-speed journey through the universe — from the Big Bang to the formation of hydrocarbons — with “The Origin of Energy,” a three-minute high-resolution film at the entrance to the exhibit.
  • The Geology gallery features the surprisingly dynamic underground layers of rock that hold reservoirs of oil and gas. Control the motion of the continents over millions of years on a giant screen as you explore plate tectonics. Interact with the towering Rock Strata Wall, cast from actual Texas rock layers, including shale, sandstone, limestone and salt. At the touch of a screen, choose a topic to explore and see your selection come to life in full color on the rock.
  • The Exploration gallery features the latest techniques used to search for
    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”” border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”” img_link_target=”” img_size=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″] Drill Bit Exhibit
    [/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]hydrocarbons, from magnetometers and gravimeters to seismic vibrator trucks. In the Geology in the Field interactive, gaze across a barren, mountainous landscape, and watch as holographic illusions of two petroleum geologists materialize and explain what they are doing in the middle of nowhere. A massive Vibroseis truck interrupts them, sending its booming vibrations deep into the rock below.
  • The Processes and Products gallery takes visitors through everything that happens in an oil refinery with full-color, 3D animation. Watch the swirling industrial tornado of the Vortex Separator remove sediment from newly pumped oil and discover how it makes use of centripetal force. Examine the inner workings of a modern Refinery, highlighted with bright, neon pipes.
  • The Alternative Energy Sources gallery explores other ways energy is generated. Marvel at a model of an experimental Tokamak fusion reactor glowing with energy from plasma. See a real fuel cell and learn how it works. Explore ocean tidal power, ocean wave energy, biomass, solar energy and more. The energy outlook for tomorrow seems blindingly bright when seen on 50-inch plasma screens in vivid detail.

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Following Weiss Energy Hall, the group attended the 4th annual Houston Energy Day, the largest free family annual festival showcasing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This year over twenty five thousand people turned out, along with more than 70 exhibitors covering a broad range of topics the process of liquefying natural gas to showcasing prototype hybrid vehicles.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”” border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”” img_link_target=”” img_size=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]“STEM jobs are key to our future economic growth, and particularly vital to help continue our ongoing Energy Revolution,” said David Holt, the President of Consumer Energy Alliance, the chief organizer of the festival. “Energy Day shows students the range of real-world possibilities available to them if they pursue a degree in a STEM related field.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]http://youtu.be/NNlug53_a-s
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Another part of Energy Day is it marks the conclusion of a series of academic events happening from January to September. Students participated in the Energy Academic Program which is made up of six separate contests:  The Science and Engineering Fair of Houston; NCWIT Aspirations in Computing, the CSTEM Challenge; The Young Inventors Association Of America Young Inventors’ Showcase of Houston; The Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE) Houston: Energy City of the Future 2050 Competition  The International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering and Environment Project; The Houston Geological Society/Houston Museum of Natural Science/Consumer Energy Alliance Art, Essay & Media Contests and the John Kingsley Kerver Educator Award. More than 75 students were awarded this year for their achievements in these STEM-related competitions.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Energy Day and its partners and sponsors are leading the way in reinforcing the importance of STEM education and the development of new energy technology. The stimulating exhibits and generous academic award opportunities help motivate thousands of future energy experts each year.
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Bill desRosiers

Raised in Highland Falls, New York, William desRosiers learned about responsible resource development, firsthand, as a part of his family's mining business. William received his B.S. in Management, B.A.in History and MBA from Misericordia University. He currently serves in External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. His primary responsibilities include strengthening media relationships, managing company-run fundraising programs, building better community relations and representing Cabot every chance he has.

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