HomeAbout AAPG Overview Honors and Awards

Honors and Awards

Award Nomination is now Closed

Nominations received at this time will be accepted for next year's considerations.

The Honors and Awards program of AAPG provides a means for recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions by professional geologists, especially in the area of exploration for petroleum and energy mineral resources, and by other professionals who further the goals and objectives of our science, our profession, and our Association.    

Sidney Powers Memorial Award

The Sidney Powers Memorial Award is given in recognition of distinguished and outstanding contributions to, or achievements in, petroleum geology. It is AAPG’s most distinguished award, and is made at such times as the Executive Committee may designate, but not more than once in any calendar year.

Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award

The Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award is given in recognition of outstanding and exceptional leadership in the petroleum geosciences. It is AAPG’s most distinguished leadership award. No more than one award is to be given per year.

Honorary Member Award

Honorary Member is bestowed upon persons who have distinguished themselves by their service and devotion to the science and profession of petroleum geology and to the Association. It is customary, but not mandatory, to make one or more awards each year.

Norman H. Foster Explorer Award

The Norman H. Foster Outstanding Explorer Award is given in recognition of distinguished and outstanding achievement in exploration for petroleum or mineral resources, by members who have shown a consistent pattern of exploratory success, with an intended emphasis on recent discovery.

Robert R. Berg Outstanding Research Award

The Robert R. Berg Outstanding Research Award is given in recognition of a singular achievement in petroleum geoscience research. It is ranked beneath Norman H. Foster Outstanding Explorer Award and above the Distinguished Service Award. Up to two awards can be given in any calendar year.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to members who have distinguished themselves in singular and beneficial long-term service to AAPG.

Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award

The Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award is given in recognition of distinguished and outstanding contributions to geological education. Only one award is to be given per year unless funding is approved by the Executive Committee when the award slate is approved. Contributions leading to consideration for this award will most often involve the teaching and counseling of students at the university level, and contributions to the education of the public, and management of educational programs may also be recognized.

Harrison Schmitt Award

The Harrison Schmitt Award recognizes individuals or organizations that, for a variety of reasons, do not qualify for other Association honors or awards. The recipient is not required to be an AAPG member.

Public Service Award

The Public Service Award is given to recognize contributions by members of the Association to public affairs and to encourage geologists to take a more active part in such affairs. Granting of this award in any year is discretionary.

Pioneer Award

The Pioneer Award is given to long- standing members who have contributed to the Association and who have made meaningful and significant contributions to the science of geology and have not received other awards but are deserving of recognition.

Geosciences in the Media Award

The Geosciences in the Media Award is given to a person in recognition of notable journalistic achievement in any medium which contributes to public understanding of geology, energy resources, or the technology of oil and gas exploration. Granting of this award in any year is discretionary.

Young Professionals Exemplary Service Award

Young Professionals Exemplary Service Award is given to members who have promoted growth, awareness, and expanded opportunities within the organization for young professionals. The award will help recognize the importance of AAPG volunteers dedicating themselves to helping inspire, retain and recruit future geoscientists within the Association as well as to the organization and profession in general.

Vlastimila (Vlasta) Dvořáková International Ambassador Service Award

The Vlastimila (Vlasta) Dvořáková International Ambassador Service Award is given to those who have promoted growth and awareness of the AAPG internationally and created opportunities for the Association to reach a wider audience of geoscientists. This award will help recognize the importance of AAPG volunteers who promote the mission of services and products of the Association, who foster cooperation with other geoscience organizations, as well as growing the organization and its cultural and ethnical diversity.

Association Awards

All Awards

Overview Pages

Headquarters Contacts

Vicki L. Beighle
Vicki Beighle Adminstrative Team Lead, AAPG +1 918 560 2615