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GPA School of Gas Chromatography breaks record enrollment
TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 10, 2011) – The Gas Processors Association’s (GPA) annual School of Gas Chromatography returned to the University of Tulsa campus this week, with a record number of 110 students enrolled in the program.
This is the 38th year for the one-of-its-kind school that is hosted by Tulsa-headquartered GPA, the non-profit trade association for the midstream industry. For each of the past six years, the school reached maximum capacity of 85 students prior to enrollment deadlines, plus has had waiting lists. Capacity was expanded to accept 110 students this year, and again filled prior to deadline and had a waiting list.
“The GPA School of Gas Chromatography is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, which is why the demand for enrollment continues to grow,” said Mark Sutton, GPA executive director. “Chromatography technology is always evolving, so we see a mix of new and return students with each new class as companies strive to stay current with the science and equipment. Our instructors are industry technicians and chemists, and several have been involved with this specific program for more than 20 years, and a couple of them for more than 30 years. They are the best of the best.”
The current class enrollment represents 14 states and three countries in addition to the United States – Canada, Mexico and Africa. Curriculum provides hands-on training opportunities in basic gas and gas liquid chromatography, along with an introduction to extended analysis and portable chromatographs. Procedures and calculation methods are taught through a combination of lectures, demonstration and chromatograph operation.
The analytical data provided by gas chromatography represents over half of the weighted information needed for total energy determination. The assessment quantifies all the components of a natural gas sample stream, which in turn plays a key role in determining natural gas make up, quality and value.
The knowledge exchanged during classroom and lab sessions during the week-long program teaches the various GPA analytical and sampling methods, and deals with fundamental chemistry, portable chromatographs, economics of extended analysis, contaminants in natural gas liquids, and safety practices related to pressurized cylinders.
Upon satisfying all requirements of the school, students are presented a certificate that acknowledges their successful completion of the program during a graduation ceremony.
“Gas chromatography is something you just don’t go out and learn on the job in short order,” Sutton said. “And while gas chromatography might be included as part of some classes in other programs being taught elsewhere, we take tremendous pride in what our school dedicated 100 percent to this subject delivers in the way of content and hands-on training. Leaving here with a certificate of completion is a big deal for graduates and their employers.”
The earliest GPA Gas Chromatography Schools were held in Louisiana. The school was moved to the University of Tulsa in 1981, where it has been conducted every year since.
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About GPA
The Gas Processors Association (GPA) is an incorporated, non-profit trade association made up of about 125 corporate members, all of whom are engaged in the processing of natural gas into a merchantable pipeline gas, volume movement, or further processing of liquid products from natural gas. The active membership, as a group, accounts for more than 90 percent of all natural gas liquids produced in the United States and also includes a number of Canadian and foreign companies that produce natural gas liquids on a global scale. GPA has served the light hydrocarbons industry since 1921 and has been instrumental in shaping the midstream business.
