OSU Institute of Technology’s Natural Gas Compression program received a donation of equipment in January, and last week, the gift kept on giving with the addition of software valued at about $60,000.

Last month, Targa Midstream Services donated the two programmable logic controller panels (PLCs.) Spartan Controls donated five software programs needed for the PLCs, and Proface America and Red Lion Controls provided the software site licenses for each.

Cam Dowler, technical specialist with Spartan Controls, said the different software packages were installed on 40 OSUIT laptop computers over a two-day period with assistance from OSUIT Technology Services staff.

“The donation of the two REMVue compressor control systems will enable OSUIT students to be trained on the state of the art compressor control systems, and industry will benefit from hiring students that have the up to date knowledge needed to run and control gas compression systems effectively and safely,” Dowler said.

Matt Salas, an instructor in the Natural Gas Compression program, spearheaded the donation project.

“Representatives from Spartan Controls and Targa were here, and we gave them a tour, and I was telling them what I wanted to do in the future,” Salas said, and the next thing he knew he was being contacted about the companies working together to get a donation of equipment and software together for the program.

“It will give the students a more up-to-date look at what will be out in the field and a better understanding of how components interact with a compressor skids,” Salas said.

Dowler said Spartan Controls was honored to be part of OSUIT’s Natural Gas Compression program along with Targa Resources.

“Targa, like many compression intensive companies, hires students from the OSUIT Natural Gas Compression program, and this donation will enable industry to utilize OSUIT students that have all the latest knowledge and skills to hit the ground running in this fast paced natural gas industry,” he said.