Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at Joni's Roast and Ride, a fundraiser for a PAC, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

WHEELING — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump headlines the list of scheduled speakers for the 2016 Shale Insight Conference, set for Sept. 21-22 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

Although drilling and fracking activity remains relatively low amid the global price slowdown, the level of activity inside the convention center will be high with Trump taking stage. The businessman from New York City is tentatively scheduled to speak at approximately 11 a.m. Sept. 22.

Trump is an outspoken advocate of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, while he accuses Democrat Hillary Clinton of working to end their use.

“It is a great opportunity to have presidential candidate Donald Trump share his perspectives on the oil and gas industry at this year’s Shale Insight Conference. The oil and natural gas industry is a driving force of the American economy and will be an impactful topic this election,” said Shawn Bennett, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, one of the event sponsors.

In addition to Trump, scheduled speakers include: Gary Heminger, chairman, president and CEO of Marathon Petroleum Corp.; Patrick Blough, vice president of gas supply and trading for Chevron; Donald Moul, senior vice president of fossil operations and environment for FirstEnergy Corp.; Dana Saucier, managing director for shale energy and petrochemicals for Jobs Ohio; and former presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

“By partnering with key regional trade groups in three of the top energy producing states in the nation, Shale Insight 2016 is sure to be the premier industry conference this year, and will further enhance the conference’s programming by highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the Appalachian Basin, presenting greater value to attendees,” Marcellus Shale Coalition President David Spigelmyer said.

The Appalachian Basin is the area that includes both the Marcellus and Utica shale formations stretching from the state of New York south to Kentucky. Both the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association are joining the coalition to run the conference this year.

The conference will feature keynote presentations, an interactive exhibit floor, tailored panel discussions, a technology showcase and a “natural gas use marketplace,” which all present networking opportunities for attendees.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our region, and we’re excited to be collaborating with the MSC and WVONGA this year for Shale Insight,” Bennett said. “While our industry continues to face significant challenges, the current and future prospects for the Appalachian Basin remain very promising. This conference creates an important forum to exchange ideas, share best practices and heighten the dialogue around common sense energy policies, and we’re glad to be part of its continued success.”

Information on how to register for the conference is available at shaleinsight.com.