Annual Report 2011: FY July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011
Geophysical Integration
The function of the Committee on Geophysical Integration is to promote and support the integration of geophysical data with geological, geophysical and reservoir data by working with the Research Committee, Education Committee, Publications Committee, and with other professional societies in proposing, designing and conducting technical sessions, workshops and short courses at meetings and conferences, in preparing proposals for Hedberg Conferences and special publications, and seeking authors for technical papers for the Bulletin demonstrating the importance of geophysical integration; to recommend candidates for editor for the Geophysical Corner published in the Explorer; to work with the Geoscience Data Preservation Committee and Education Committee in preparing a listing of public domain geophysical data and promote the preservation of geophysical data; and to facilitate inter-society cooperation with other geophysical societies, such as SEG, EAGE and AGU. To accomplish these goals, the GIC is organized into three sub-committees:
- AAPG/SEG joint sessions,
- new publications, and
- symposia and workshops.
Activities Since Last Report
Randy Ray served as the “theme chair” for “Geophysical Integration” sessions given at the Houston convention held April 10–13, 2011. The Geophysical Integration Committee met at the 2011 AAPG Convention in Houston, Texas. The attending members were Steve Getz (incoming GIC chair), Linda Sternbach (outgoing GIC chair), Ron Masters (SEG-IC chair), Don Herron, Evon Hostetter, Steve Henry, Bob Wiener, Huyen Bui, Satinder Chopra, Steve Earle and John Jordan. (It should be noted that the late adjournment of the AAPG House of Delegates meeting caused several people who indicated that they would attend the GICG meeting to bypass the GIC meeting in order to make other meetings that they had scheduled on the same day.)
Initial Discussion Points for the GIC 2011 Annual Meeting
One of the main initial discussion points for the GIC meeting was whether the GIC should sponsor panel discussion (forums) at the AAPG Convention meetings or pre-convention workshops. And, if the GIC did sponsor a workshop, what would that workshop be?
Final Group discussion points:
- The GIC could do articles on leading areas and technology used.
- There could be discussion of useful techniques in certain regions.
- There could be articles on seismic pitfalls.
- There could be articles on usefulness of AVO.
Discussion of a Possible AAPG GIC Questionnaire During 2011
Satinder Chopra thought that the GIC should attempt to show how new technology and ideas can be used in other basins or regions (e.g., Lambda Mu Ro in Canada). Santinder brought a note with him that was written by Lee Hunt. In this note, Lee Hunt asked the Committee to sponsor a questionnaire constructed for geoscientists in the AAPG.
Satinder said he would proof the survey questionnaire. Steve Getz said that he would review the survey and proof it for industry dispersal. (Because of its length, this questionnaire has not yet received final approval for industry dispersal, nor has it been decided how to disperse it.)
Discussion Of Possible Themes for the 2012 and 2013 AAPG Conventions
Steve Getz, the current Geophysical Integration Committee Chair, has been appointed the Theme Chair for the 2012 Geophysical sessions for the AAPG Convention in Long Beach, California. He has asked several people to serve as session chairs and they have agreed to do so.
Doing a cradle-to-grave field study was the most popular idea posed by the Geophysical Integration group committee for the 2012 convention in Long Beach California. But, there are inherent problems with completing this study. These problems include, but at not limited to obtaining a seismic data base and unsanitized geological and engineering data for the study; and, how to present the data that is obtained. Specifically, should we present the field study data as a theme in an upcoming AAPG convention? Or, should we present the data as a webinar or a “hands-on” workshop? These questions will have to be answered before the cradle-to-grave field study is finally undertaken.
Several suggestions were made regarding the 2013 AAPG in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was decided that unconventional plays will dominate the Geophysical Integration technical sessions for that convention.
Publication Plans
Tim Berge has been working on an AAPG/SEG joint publication entitled, “Hydrocarbon Seepage: From Source to Surface.” Its editors are Mike Abrams, Fred Aminzadeh, T.B. Berge, and Geoff O’Brien. (This was coordinated under the Geophysical Integration Committee because Tim is a past chair and there are geophysical methods discussed in this publication.) Tim and his group were still getting articles together for publication during 2010. It will probably be published sometime this year.
Steven L. Getz, Chair
Committee members:
Timothy Bryan S. Berge P.G., Alistair Ross Brown, Steven Andrew Earle, Steven Lawrence Getz (chair),
R. William Keach II, Craig Earl Moore, Robert Randolph Ray, and Linda Raine Sternbach