If you are a small business owner, researcher, or entrepreneur in Pennsylvania or West Virginia focused on developing a new product or service for the shale energy space, you have one week left to submit your application to the Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center’s 4th Annual Shale Gas Innovation Contest. Four winners will each be awarded $25,000 for the top shale energy oriented innovations, new product ideas, or service concepts that are either in the development stage or recently launched. Applications are due by Midnight EST, February 2nd. To download an application, visit www.sgicc.org and click on the $100,000 Shale Gas Innovation Contest tab.

“We want to recognize the generous support of the Benedum Foundation that once again allows us to extend the contest to include West Virginia, as well as Pennsylvania.” – Bill Hall, Director

Any idea or recently commercialized product or service related to the shale energy space is eligible. Examples include natural gas or NGL utilization products or services, novel materials or chemicals to enhance drilling/extraction performance, or coatings or materials that prevent corrosion or improve product yield. The industry is also always interested in novel remote site monitoring technologies, well pad EH&S products or services, natural gas or NGL conversion technologies, and water management or remediation technologies.

In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants chosen to participate in the May 2015 Finals event will gain exposure to investors, potential partners, and industry sponsors. This 4th Annual Shale Gas Innovation Contest is co-sponsored by Ben Franklin Technology Partners (http://www.benfranklin.org), AquaTech (www.aquatech.com), Chevron Technology Ventures (http://www.chevron.com/ctv/ctvi/), CONSOL Energy (www.consolenergy.com), EQT (www.eqt.com), First National Bank (www.fnb-online.com ), GE Oil & Gas (http://www.ge-energy.com), INABATA America Corporation (http://us.inabata.com/), Little Pine Resources (http://littlepineresources.com), the Marcellus Shale Coalition (http://marcelluscoalition.org), PPG Industries (http://corporate.ppg.com/), Praxair (www.praxair.com), Range Resources (http://www.rangeresources.com/), Shell (http://www.shell.com/), Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (http://www.steptoe-johnson.com/ ),Williams (www.williamsinthenortheast.com), and XTO Energy (http://www.xtoenergy.com/).

Entering the competition is easy, requiring the completion of a simple online application found athttp://www.sgicc.org/2015-shale-gas-innovation-contest.html. Finalists will be chosen by the panel of industry experts. To download an application, visit www.sgicc.org and click on the $100,000 Shale Gas Innovation Contest tab. Deadline to enter is Midnight EST, February 2nd, 2015. For details regarding eligibility or other questions, contact Bill Hall at either 814-933-8203 or billhall@psu.edu.

About the SGICC

The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The Center’s goal is to increase sustainable employment and wealth creation in Pennsylvania that has the potential to outlast the initial exploration, production and transportation of natural gas from the formations. The Center will also identify, support and commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset.