Conference dates have been set for the third-annual High Horsepower (HHP) Summit, North America’s largest showcase of natural gas fuelling and technology solutions for off-road, high horsepower applications. The Summit will take place October 7-9, 2014, at the Ernest N Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans. Caterpillar and Pivotal LNG return as presenting sponsors for the third year, with the addition of Chart Industries as a first-time presenting sponsor.
The event has grown rapidly, with more than 800 registered attendees in 2012 and nearly 1,500 at the 2013 event in Chicago. The organisers expect the 2014 HHP Summit to grow further as momentum builds for the economical shift to domestically produced, low-cost natural gas in high-fuel-use operations. The HHP Summit is produced by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), a leading North American clean transportation and energy consulting firm that specialises in market development for low-emission and natural gas technologies, infrastructure and fuels for on- and off-road applications.
“Fuel often accounts for the largest operating expense across marine, rail, mining and E&P transportation operations – a situation made even more challenging by volatile diesel pricing,” noted Erik Neandross, CEO of GNA. “The North American shale gas boom has led to natural gas fuel prices that are 30 to 50 % lower than diesel, making project economics extremely attractive. Natural gas also provides important environmental and air quality gains.”
This year’s event takes place in New Orleans, and will highlight several natural gas opportunities for high horsepower applications that exist along the Gulf Coast. Neandross noted, “The Ports of New Orleans, South Louisiana, and Baton Rouge jointly handle the largest volume of goods in the Western Hemisphere, moving shipments through North America via the Mississippi river waterways and six major commercial railroads. High-fuel use mining operations – producing salt, coal, and minerals – dot the region. And the nearby Haynesville, Brown Dense, and Tuscaloosa Marine Shale plays are positioned well to supply natural gas to the high-fuel-use region. As we see with this week’s launch of the Harvey Energy – the first LNG powered commercial marine vessel in North America – the market is really starting to heat up in this part of the country.”
Educational sessions will examine current and planned natural gas projects from the Gulf Coast region and throughout the world, and provide attendees an opportunity to see local natural gas deployment and infrastructure projects first hand at off-site technical tours. The HHP Summit expo hall will showcase the wide range of fuelling, engine, and technology solutions designed for high horsepower applications. For more information, visit www.hhpsummit.com