Divisions
Energy Minerals Division
It’s been a pleasure working with the Energy Minerals Division during the first half of my 2012-13 term as President, and I would like to take this opportunity to inform the House of Delegates of upcoming EMD publications, activities, and events. Our Division takes the AAPG’s mission of “Advancing the Science” very seriously, and we continue to provide quality products and opportunities for EMD and AAPG members to add to their knowledge base and keep up with new thoughts and ideas in unconventional reservoirs and technologies.
As part of our commitment to technical advancement and cutting-edge research, EMD is pleased to announce our recent and upcoming publications:
- AAPG Memoir 97: Shale Reservoirs – Giant Resources for the 21st Century, edited by J.A. Breyer, was published in August 2012. The volume covers topics ranging from the history of shale gas and shale resource workflows to resource assessments, as well as technical aspects from petrophysics, geomechanics, and completion technologies, with examples from the Marcellus, Barnett, and Bakken shales. The book includes a CD with 14 extended abstracts and papers.
- AAPG Studies in Geology 64: Heavy-oil and Oil-sand Petroleum Systems in Alberta and Beyond, edited by F. J. Hein, D. Leckie, S. Larter, and J. Suter. The print edition is anticipated in February 2013. This volume showcases the geology of oil sands from around the world, and highlights the Athabasca Oil Sands of Northern Alberta. The volume offers insights for the development of other oil-sands deposits globally.
- 2nd Edition Coal Atlas (AAPG Studies), edited by J. Hower, will be published in 2013. This publication builds upon the first Coal Atlas (1998) specifically addressing microscopic aspects of coal and includes high-resolution images.
- AAPG Memoir 101: Energy Resources for Human Settlement in the Solar System and Earth’s Future in Space, edited by W.A. Ambrose, J.F. Reilly II, and D.C. Peters. This Memoir, produced with the AAPG Astrogeology Committee, is a clear reflection of AAPG’s vision of advancing the science and technology of energy, minerals and hydrocarbon resources into the future and supporting exploration and development of the ultimate frontier, beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Publication is expected in February 2013.
EMD has an active, jam-packed calendar planned for this year, beginning with two events co-sponsored with the Division of Environmental Geosciences (DEG).
- Feb 26-27 Fort Worth, TX Geoscience Technology Workshop (GTW): “Solving Water Problems in Oil and Gas Production: New Technologies for Cost Savings and New Revenue Flows”. This GTW addresses concerns regarding water management, particularly topics such as hydraulic fracturing, changing weather patterns (more intense storms, lasting droughts, etc.), and federal and state water regulations that are becoming increasingly discussed by the media.
- April 24 Monterey, CA short course (during the Pacific Section AAPG meeting) “Protecting Assets with Environmental Baseline and Ground Water Monitoring; Not Just for Hydraulic Fracturing Programs”. The course, led by John Fontana, will focus on methods to assist in documentation of pre-existing environmental conditions and potential problem areas, including baseline surveys, forensic geochemistry techniques, and proper sampling procedures.
EMD is also gearing up for two big meetings – the AAPG Annual Convention, to be held in Pittsburgh May 19-22; and the Unconventional Resources Technology Expo and Conference planned for August 12-14 in Denver, CO.
Pittsburgh ACE: Join EMD to celebrate the theme “From Industrial Revolution to Geotechnology Evolution” at the first Eastern-section sponsored ACE in over 25 years. EMD is pleased to sponsor seven oral and five poster sessions, two short courses, and three field trips. The convention offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about unconventional hydrocarbons in the U.S. and globally, in this revitalized northeastern U.S. city near the location of Drake’s 1859 oil discovery and birthplace of our industry (www.drakewell.com). An ACE highlight promises to be the EMD luncheon, featuring author Seamus McGraw of “The End of County”, a compelling story about the battle of control that ensued after the Marcellus Shale discovery in NE Pennsylvania. McGraw will present “Comfortable in our Ignorance”, focusing on how extreme voices on both sides of the public debate on shale gas exploration and development are effectively undermining efforts to develop the Marcellus resource more safely.
URTeC: EMD is excited to be a part of this inaugural onshore technology conference, jointly sponsored by AAPG, SPE and SEG. Twenty conference themes span all disciplines relating to unconventionals, including geochemistry, reservoir studies, rock mechanics, seismic technology, horizontal drilling, completion methods, cost control, and project management. EMD officers and leaders have been involved as abstract reviewers, and members of both EMD and AAPG will be presenting papers, chairing sessions, and attending this first-of-its-kind conference. We look forward to seeing you there! Visit www.urtec.org for more details.
I encourage all AAPG members to consider complimentary membership in EMD (no additional dues), if they have not already. EMD is comprised of a dynamic group of individuals that truly are “advancing the science” in unconventional reservoirs and technologies, and we welcome like-minded geoscientists to join us.
Lastly, EMD is planning an overhaul of our website, including our Members Only area. Please bear with us this year as we work behind the scenes to bring you a more comprehensive site with easier navigation and better-organized technical content.