Research

The function of the Committee on Research is to monitor activities in geoscience research that relate to the exploration and production of petroleum and other energy minerals; to promote the interchange of research ideas through conferences and symposia; to assist other AAPG committees with matters pertaining to research activities; and to initiate, sponsor, and/or cooperate with organizations in gathering data and preparing reports on subjects of high interest to geoscientists.

The Committee consists of three subcommittees (Hedberg Conference, Research Activities, and Academic Geoscience Survey) and three research groups (Reservoir Deformation, Unconventional Resources and Geofluids).

Hedberg Conferences

Among the most important activities of the Research Committee is development and sponsorship of AAPG's Hedberg Conferences and Research Symposia. Hedberg Conferences are listed under AAPG Meetings under Contining Education on the AAPG site.

Hedberg Conference Subcommittee

The Hedberg Conference Subcommittee Chair is Paul Catacosinos. Information on procedures for Hedberg Conferences can be obtained from Paul Catacosinos or from Debbi Boonstra at AAPG. The Hedberg proposal review process is conducted by email exchange coordinated by Catacosinos.

At present there are no publication requirements for Hedberg Conferences, but conference organizers will continue to be reminded that publication is an option. The AAPG Publication Committee is informed of approved conferences and conference organizers are encouraged to post the abstracts from the conference at the conclusion of the conference.

Academic Geoscience Survey Subcommittee

The Research Committee is also responsible for reporting on the results of the Academic Geoscience Survey. Barry Katz has led this effort for several years. As part of this effort, the Research Committee is also collaborating with the Academic Liaison Committee to identify possible staff contacts at Universities and colleges worldwide.

Research Groups

The Research Committee chartered three research groups in 1997. The charter for two of the original groups, the Reservoir Deformation and Unconventional Resources Groups, were renewed in 2000.

Symposia

From time-to-time the committee sponsors a research symposium during the annual convention. The Houston Structural Geology Group (HSGG) is a discussion forum that holds monthly meetings. It was founded by Frank Bilotti of Unocal in 2001 as an outgrowth of discussions at a Reservoir Deformation Research Group meeting. More information about this group is posted under the RDRG.

Web Site

Web site design and organization is under Steve Laubach, Vice Chair of the Committee.

Members of the Research Committee: The private side of the AAPG Committee pages contains an online discussion forum. You need to contact the AAPG Web Master for the password.

Ernest A. Mancini, Chair

Committee members: Michael Abrams, Linda M. Bonnell, Robert C. Burruss, Angel Francisco Callejon, Paul A. Catacosinos (Hedberg Conference Subcommittee Chair), Jean-Yves D. Chatellier, John B. Curtis, Barry J. Katz (Academic Geoscience Survey Subcommittee Chair), Stephen E. Laubach (Committee Vice Chair), Benny E. Law, Susan Longacre, Robert G. Loucks, Ernest A. Mancini (Committee Chair), Marcio R. Mello, David Morse, Prasanta K. Mukhopadhyay, Charles R. Noll Jr., Jeffrey A. Nunn, Richard A. Parker, Martin A. Perlmutter, Patricia A. Santogrossi, Steven Schamel, Wolfgang E. Schollnberger, Andrew R. Scott, Regina N. Tempel, David M. Weinberg, and Brian A. Zaitlin. Debbi Boonstra is the AAPG staff contact for Hedberg Research Conferences.