Rice and International Energy Agency sign MOU

Rice University’s Energy and Environment Initiative (EEi) and the International Energy Agency, Gas and Oil Technology Collaboration Programme (IEA GOT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work in collaboration with a focus on gas and oil technologies.

Dahl Karlsen (left) and McConnell. Photo courtesy Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

According to Charles McConnell, executive director of EEi, the MOU will “facilitate a technology exchange and development in several aspects of oil and gas technologies, including advanced materials, high-performance computing, sensor technology, advanced manufacturing and a host of chemical and mechanical engineering applications.”

In announcing the MOU, Jostein Dahl Karlsen, chair of the GOT, said, “GOT is working to create a global dialogue encouraging the development of advanced technology and the policy and regulatory drivers that allow for their use. This collaboration with the Rice University Energy and Environment Initiative expands that dialogue in a meaningful and strategic way. Our work together will help to identify, address and resolve the major challenges facing the gas and oil industry.”

“We’re enthused about this MOU, as it elevates and distinguishes Rice’s leadership in the oil and gas technology area, both nationally and internationally, and establishes our strong relationship with the IEA,” McConnell said.

McConnell said the IEA also benefits by having access to Rice’s intellectual capital, as well as the ongoing work being done by Rice at the recently established Subsea Systems Institute.

Along with signing the MOU at Rice, university officials and GOT subcommittee leadership discussed the framework and road map for strategic transformative technology development.