Oklahoma Energy Secretary Ming to leave post, join private sector


By Sarah Terry-Cobo
Oklahoma City energy reporter; 405-278-2849; sarah.terry-cobo@journalrecord.com; @JRSarahTC
Posted: 12:53 PM Wednesday, May 8, 2013







C. Michael Ming

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s energy secretary will leave his position at the end of May and join the private sector. C. Michael Ming will take a position with General Electric as the general manager of the oil and gas technology center. Gov. Mary Fallin’s office, wrote in a press release Ming will lead leadership and strategy for the GE Oil and Gas Technologies Center. Alex Weintz, spokesman for Fallin’s office, said the governor hasn’t yet named a successor and is actively recruiting qualified candidates.

Fallin appointed Ming in January 2011, citing his extensive energy industry experience as an important part of creating jobs in Oklahoma. Ming crafted an energy policy, called “Oklahoma First,” to promote oil, natural gas and wind as the first priorities. His vision is to let markets work and improve the economy and the environment.

Oklahoma has gained national recognition for using compressed natural gas as a transportation fuel, one of the priorities in Ming’s energy policy. Part of his plan is to transition uneconomic coal-fired power plants to using natural gas. Natural gas-fired power plants can help balance the intermittent nature of wind power.

Renewable energy is another component of his policy. Oklahoma recently surpassed the wind energy production goal of 15 percent three years before the target of 2015. Another important part of his energy plan is to make electricity generation more efficient and reduce wasted power. The state has also improved energy efficiency in homes and buildings by using automated meters, like ones the utility Oklahoma Gas and Electric has implemented in 80,000 homes.

A registered petroleum engineer, Ming has extensive academic and private industry qualifications. He graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering and a master of science degree in engineering management. He has worked at Chevron U.S.A. and several Oklahoma companies, including Bracken Energy Co., K. Stewart Petroleum Corp. and K. Stewart Energy Group. He served as an adviser to the federal Department of Energy and holds an adjunct position at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Business Energy Management Program.

Energy and environmental attorney Jim Roth with Phillips Murrah praised Ming’s leadership. In an email message to The Journal Record, Roth wrote the ‘Oklahoma First’ energy plan is a road map to growing the state’s economy and add benefits for schools and families.

“Under Governor Fallin’s leadership and support Secretary Mike Ming has done an incredible job setting a clear path for Oklahoma’s energy future,” Roth wrote. “”Mike Ming and GE will continue to do great things for Oklahoma and America, but he has left some large boots to fill for his successor.”

On April 3, Fallin and GE CEO Jeff Immelt announced the company would build a $110 million research and technology center in Oklahoma. The new facility is expected to create at least 125 new engineering jobs in the state.


Read more: Oklahoma Energy Secretary Ming to leave post, join private sector | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2013/05/08/oklahoma-energy-secretary-ming-to-leave-post-join-private-sector/#ixzz2SjO1GMyX)

Are they getting closer to selecting a site for this center?

I am curious how much space they need for this. I would love for them to clear the area east of 235, south of NE 4th street and north of the train tracks if they needed a lot of space. Then there would be just a few blocks to work on north of that to connect the whole area campus together.

Extremely exciting for Oklahoma. To beat out Austin is huge. Since these types of centers don't appear to be going into office towers, I'd love to see them jumpstart Core 2 Shore with a campus there. I saw that mentioned by someone else and wanted to offer my +1. But it would be great for Norman as well. I'd just like it somewhere highly visible, not hidden away.

Ming has done a good job

Ming has done a good job

For you to say that probably means that Ming has bent over for Big Energy?

For you to say that probably means that Ming has bent over for Big Energy?

and screw you!

For you to say that probably means that Ming has bent over for Big Energy?

Why would you say something like this ? Is it because it just sounds good ?

Why would you say something like this ? Is it because it just sounds good ?

Ming is a public figure, and a controversial one. He has been Mary Fallin's Secretary of Energy. If ou48A says he's "done a good job" that says something, if you follow ou48A's posts as he's a cheerleader for all things Big Energy.

Didn't quite expect that reaction. More of a laugh than anything.

and screw you!

That could have been a private message. You love Big Energy. Ming loves Big Energy. Why does that touch such a nerve?

Ming is a public figure, and a controversial one. He has been Mary Fallin's Secretary of Energy. If ou48A says he's "done a good job" that says something, if you follow ou48A's posts as he's a cheerleader for all things Big Energy.

Didn't quite expect that reaction. More of a laugh than anything.

Forget big energy, lets go with all energy...... I read his resume, and he's been involved. I don't know him, couldn't pick him out of a lineup for that matter, but Oklahoma has a significant O&G presence don't you think ?

While I would have approached it different and asked how Ming did such a good job, the reaction is also equally uncalled for.

Ming is a public figure, and a controversial one. He has been Mary Fallin's Secretary of Energy. If ou48A says he's "done a good job" that says something, if you follow ou48A's posts as he's a cheerleader for all things Big Energy.

Didn't quite expect that reaction. More of a laugh than anything.

I seriously doubt that GE would have hired him as a principle if he was too controversial....

I seriously doubt that GE would have hired him as a principle if he was too controversial....

Depends who they are controversial with. It is all a matter of perspective.

While I would have approached it different and asked how Ming did such a good job, the reaction is also equally uncalled for.

I should have as well. I still didn't expect someone to write that to me. Oh well, moving right along.

Ming is a public figure, and a controversial one. He has been Mary Fallin's Secretary of Energy. If ou48A says he's "done a good job" that says something, if you follow ou48A's posts as he's a cheerleader for all things Big Energy.

Didn't quite expect that reaction. More of a laugh than anything.

You really don’t follow my post or you would understand that I’m for cheap abundant energy and that as of right now big oil and big NG and big coal are about the only cost effect solutions we have that can meet the scale that’s required.
As I have indicted several times if you/we can find something else that’s going to advance man’s prosperity and resulting well-being then I would be all for it, but since you didn’t know this about me clearly you don’t follow my post very well, hence the screw you.

PS: please show us where Ming has been controversial to anyone other than extreme fringe groups?

Among other things perhaps GE R&D could be doing this type of work in our area in the future.



RIGZONE - GE Expands Technology Portfolio to Address Offshore Drilling Challenges (http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/126371/GE_Expands_Technology_Portfolio_to_Address_Offshor e_Drilling_Challenges)

GE Expands Technology Portfolio to Address Offshore Drilling Challenges

GE continues to expand its technology portfolio to address the challenges of offshore drilling and production and the rigors of deepwater drilling. Several GE business units are showcasing their latest products and services for the offshore sector in Booth 3163 at the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), which is expected to draw nearly 90,000 attendees.

"With one of the industry's most comprehensive portfolios of advanced technology solutions and services, GE Oil & Gas is helping to solve complex challenges all around the world," said Dan Heintzelman, president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas. "GE's global scale and deep R&D experience, combined with cross-business technology sharing and innovations from our recent acquisitions uniquely position us to help our customers be more efficient, productive and competitive."

At the conference, GE Oil & Gas introduced the next-generation SeaONYX BOP surface control system and operator interface. The new system is designed to control a deepwater blowout preventer, which is used to rapidly seal an oil well in an emergency. The technology incorporates for the first time GE's Mark Vle hardware and Proficy software tools—the same proven control systems that have been deployed in a wide range of GE power generation applications worldwide, such as on GE's advanced fleet of wind and gas turbines.

GE Oil & Gas also announced the first application of its latest SeaSmart Offshore Package turbine solution with Statoil. It's designed to power offshore oil rigs but with a substantially smaller footprint and reduced weight, which can be critically important when space is at a premium on an offshore platform. When compared to the package launched in 2009, the new technology reduces the total footprint by 24 percent. The total weight drops by 22 percent, driven in part by the use of new GE composite materials.

Other new technologies from GE Oil & Gas at OTC include:

Driving efficiency in the unconventional gas sector: On a drilling site, a manifold lets an operator control flows, acting much like a switchboard. GE's new skid-mounted modular frac manifolds are designed to safely allow simultaneous drilling operations on multiple well pads. The modular design enables fast installation and allows units to be shipped to and from well sites with GE crane trucks—which reduces freight costs by eliminating the need for "wide load" permitting,

Listening for leaks under the sea: GE Oil & Gas' Measurement & Control business is highlighting two innovative remote monitoring and sensing solutions for the subsea sector. The Acoustic Leak Detection System uses passive, acoustic hydrophone technology to detect and locate subsea oil and gas leaks by discriminating the noise of a leak from other sources of sound. The new Subsea Multi-Domain Condition Monitoring combines specially designed electric emission monitoring and acoustic hydrophones to monitor the operating condition of subsea machinery and processes.

Award winning deepwater technologies: The organizers of OTC have given two "Spotlight on New Technology" awards to GE Oil & Gas. The RamTel Plus system and Remotely Operated Vehicle Subsea Display Panel won for providing real-time, electronic measurements of the position of a blowout preventer's ram, which closes a well, and the pressure required to operate the sealing elements. The Deepwater BOP Blind Shear Ram won for its next-generation technology that is able to slice through today's larger diameter well pipes and casings—which also are stronger due to advanced metallurgy—and seal a well in an emergency.

Ming is an incredibly sharp guy. His tenure as Energy Secretary has been inclusive of all aspects of energy, from oil/gas to alternatives. Oklahoma is losing one of our best public servants. He will be a great GM for the new facility.

Heard yesterday that there are site in Norman and Downtown OKC still in the discussion. They are planning to build the entire building/complex in 12 months once they can get a site secured.

Jobs are already starting to go up for the center as well.

I know they took a look at the property just east of the Downtown Airpark but I imagine they would also be considering something near the Health Sciences Center -- perhaps the large area just south of the OU facilities.

But of course, wouldn't be surprised if they end up in Norman.

I've heard from someone who knows that this facility will be 75,000 square feet.

Site is still to be determined between Norman and OKC (Health Sciences Center).

I've heard from someone who knows that this facility will be 75,000 square feet.

Site is still to be determined between Norman and OKC (Health Sciences Center).

The Heath Science Center area would be a good location.... but if it's located in Norman is there any word if its going to be located on the south end of campus or perhaps on OU's airport land in Norman?

I would think an announcement should be coming fairly soon.


But its extremely good news for OU that this will apparently be built on OU campus property.

I've heard from someone who knows that this facility will be 75,000 square feet.

Site is still to be determined between Norman and OKC (Health Sciences Center).Huh, for some reason I was kind of expecting 200,000+. Don't ask me why, but I will tell you I have no knowledge on these kinds of complexes, just that I thought it would be bigger than 75,000 sf. Can't wait for it to be built though!!! Very exciting.

75,000 sqft is a good starting point, I am sure they will expand with more buildings with future growth. If in Norman, I would say UNP, if in Oklahoma City, I would say in next to C2S park, but the HSC would be my second choice.

That's true as well, I kind of thought about that right after I posted. One thing I did not get from this, if it will all be in one building or if it will be a campus layout kind of thing.

75,000 square feet is about 3-4 floors of the largest foot print of the Devon Tower. Yep, that would go really well north of NE 4th Street, south of the new Embassy Suites, east of Lincoln, west of Kelley Avenue.

I would imagine that this would be a major anchor to get the UNP business park underway. Being right on the airport property it would also offer a unique advantage for GE corporate travel to get back and forth without having to drive up to Will Rogers or Wiley Post.

I've heard from someone who knows that this facility will be 75,000 square feet.

Site is still to be determined between Norman and OKC (Health Sciences Center).

Did you get that info from someone in the AE world? I know they recently issued an RFP to design the facility which stated 75,000 SF, but no specific site was mentioned. I've heard they have short listed companies to interview, but I do not know who.

75,000 SF is the exact same size as Three Partners Place at the OU Research Campus in Norman (bottom right in the picture below). Not saying it will be located here but there is plenty of developable land around the OU buildings if access to the university is a big part of their strategy. The five Partners Place buildings are all in the 50-75,000 SF range. GE could have the whole north end of the campus for expansion, while OU has its own facilities along Jenkins, the NWC anchoring the south end and then there are the public-private buildings on the south/east side. This whole area was a former military base (and included Jimmie Austin golf course).
http://www.primecompany.net/assets/images/proj_008454-R1-17-7_big.jpg

Is the Political Science dept still out by the golf courses?

Is the Political Science dept still out by the golf courses?

When was this? Education was out by the golf course for one year while the education building was redone.

I thought Political Science is in Dale Hall.

5 Departments had to move out of Dale Hall due to earthquake damage a few years ago which led to other problems being found.

OUDaily.com | Dale Hall Tower construction forces department relocations (http://www.oudaily.com/news/2011/aug/23/dale-hall-tower-construction-forces-department-rel/)

OUDaily.com | Five displaced departments moving back in to Dale Hall Tower (http://oudaily.com/news/2012/jun/22/five-displaced-departments-moving-back-dale-hall-t/)

Even though this is supposed to be an energy-related research facility, it would be awesome if it was put on the HSC campus and, down the road, the facility was able to expand and add medical/health research capabilities in collaboration with OU.

No location yet but a nice article.

GE poised to make impact in oil industry, official says | News OK (http://newsok.com/ge-poised-to-make-impact-in-oil-industry-official-says/article/3876657)

I know an RFP when out to architects and that it said the construction drawings need to be complete by end of the year, so this project is moving along.

Still not sure of the location (either near the OU Health Sciences Center or Norman) but Miles Associates has been chosen as the architects for this project.

They've done a bunch of projects for OU in Norman and OKC:

Signature projects ? MILES ASSOCIATES (http://milesassociates.com/projectsgrid/)

Per the Chat -

10:32



Comment From Steve
Good morning Steve, On April 3rd of this year GE stated it would build a 110 million dollar Gobal Reserch Center in the Greater OKC area is that still going to happen and if so where is it going to be built thanks.



10:33


Steve Lackmeyer:
Absolutely it's happening. And the more I track on this, the more it looks like Oklahoma City may have a very good shot at prevailing in the competition over Norman and the University of Oklahoma for the operation.

Even if the facility does come to OKC, it's likely OU would still be heavily involved due to the Health Sciences Center where it almost certainly would be located.

I've heard from two very reliable people in the past two days that OKC is "very probably" going land the center.

The more I think about this center, the more I believe that it's 'bigger' than a college town. They need a city that can attract top talent, not that Norman can't, but OKC has become a pretty positive energy presence. Not withstanding is that GE's lift business is located in OKC also.

One of my good friends who works at the OUHSC told me two weeks ago that they are buying everything they can get their hands on in the area between NE 4 and NE 8 and Lincoln and Kelley. Obviously Toby Keith's Coral thing, OU Embassy Suites and the American Red Cross is in that area, but that leaves a lot of space (10 square blocks or so) for them to develop.

One of my good friends who works at the OUHSC told me two weeks ago that they are buying everything they can get their hands on in the area between NE 4 and NE 8 and Lincoln and Kelley. Obviously Toby Keith's Coral thing, OU Embassy Suites and the American Red Cross is in that area, but that leaves a lot of space (10 square blocks or so) for them to develop.

Who is "they"? OUHSC, GE, or OUHSC working with GE?

Who is "they"? OUHSC, GE, or OUHSC working with GE?

Sorry, should have been more specific. "They" means OUHSC but that could mean they are buying it for GE or build on it.

Sorry if I'm missing something, but what is the benefit of locating the GE center anywhere near the OUHSC?? If they want to draw from research at OU that badly then it seems like it should go in Norman. I don't see how putting it next to medical facilities is going to be any benefit to a facility dealing with oil and gas related technology. It's not like any of the students there are going to be doing research that is applicable to oil and gas.

Well, you've obviously got all of the oil companies across the interstate in the CBD.

Sorry if I'm missing something, but what is the benefit of locating the GE center anywhere near the OUHSC?? If they want to draw from research at OU that badly then it seems like it should go in Norman. I don't see how putting it next to medical facilities is going to be any benefit to a facility dealing with oil and gas related technology. It's not like any of the students there are going to be doing research that is applicable to oil and gas.

GE Global Research Centers cover lots of industries, including healthcare:

Healthcare : Industries : GE Global Research (http://ge.geglobalresearch.com/industries/healthcare/)

GE Global Research Centers cover lots of industries, including healthcare:

Healthcare : Industries : GE Global Research (http://ge.geglobalresearch.com/industries/healthcare/)

I knew that, but I thought it had been stated somewhere that this was an Oil & Gas Research Center. I could definitely see the benefits if they expanded upon that and did additional research there as well. Maybe they plan on expanding it to include other sectors in the future and that's why they're interested in the OUHSC area. That's kind of what I was getting at.

I knew that, but I thought it had been stated somewhere that this was an Oil & Gas Research Center. I could definitely see the benefits if they expanded upon that and did additional research there as well. Maybe they plan on expanding it to include other sectors in the future and that's why they're interested in the OUHSC area. That's kind of what I was getting at.

You're right. This is what they said in the press release:


General Electric (NYSE: GE) today announced that it will build a new Global Research Center in Oklahoma dedicated to driving innovation and technological advancements in the oil and gas sector and bringing products to market faster.

Still not sure of the location (either near the OU Health Sciences Center or Norman) but Miles Associates has been chosen as the architects for this project.

They've done a bunch of projects for OU in Norman and OKC:

Signature projects ? MILES ASSOCIATES (http://milesassociates.com/projectsgrid/)

That's interesting Miles won. A contact of mine interviewed for the project and said according to the letter, Miles was not even on the short list of firms that GE interviewed. He said it was Rees, FSB, Rand, SAIC, and Butzer Gardner. He must have been mistaken.

Apparently the location is final, but GE is not ready to announce it just yet. I hope that is a sign that we will know soon.

That's interesting Miles won. A contact of mine interviewed for the project and said according to the letter, Miles was not even on the short list of firms that GE interviewed. He said it was Rees, FSB, Rand, SAIC, and Butzer Gardner. He must have been mistaken.

I'm surprised that SAIC even got to interview. They've gutted their A&E group...

Sorry if I'm missing something, but what is the benefit of locating the GE center anywhere near the OUHSC?? If they want to draw from research at OU that badly then it seems like it should go in Norman. I don't see how putting it next to medical facilities is going to be any benefit to a facility dealing with oil and gas related technology. It's not like any of the students there are going to be doing research that is applicable to oil and gas.

Because it is close to the companies downtown but still provides room to grow. I am speculating that the OU campus then starts growing more diversified and it becomes the OU Medical and Technical Research Center. OU would still be able to count research $ towards academic accredidations wouldn't it?

Because it is close to the companies downtown but still provides room to grow. I am speculating that the OU campus then starts growing more diversified and it becomes the OU Medical and Technical Research Center. OU would still be able to count research $ towards academic accredidations wouldn't it?

I don't think they could as it relates to AAU status (which I think requires a single campus), but perhaps other accreditation would accept this setup?

Any idea if something has changed with this center?

12:01
Comment From Guest
Steve any news on Ge oil and gas reserch center in the okc area is this a dead issue or is it going to happen they should have said by now where they are going to build the story broke in April
12:01

Steve Lackmeyer: Stay tuned....

This is still moving along.

They've selected an architecture firm, working on specific plans, etc.

We should have an announcement as to location soon, but all signs are pointing towards OKC / Health Sciences Center.

Article has a reference that this will be in OKC ?

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin's energy conference draws record crowd in Tulsa | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-gov.-mary-fallins-energy-conference-draws-record-crowd-in-tulsa/article/3891656)

'Other speakers at Wednesday's conference included Mike Ming, general manager of the new GE Oil and Gas Technology Center planned for Oklahoma City'

They have previously talked about the OKC metro area, so that's probably all they meant.

Did this facility end up selecting the OKC site near the OUHSC?

Did this facility end up selecting the OKC site near the OUHSC?

No public announcement yet, but that is looking to be the case.