Explorer ProTracks

Along with the rest of the world, the AAPG-YP London Chapter did not escape the repercussions of the gloomy pandemic; adapting to the virtual world was necessary. In the “normal” world, attending a career fair has always been a top priority for any graduating geoscientist, especially in these challenging times for the industry when many jobs have been cut off. On the other hand, many new jobs have sprung up with the energy transition. What are the transferable skills? Is it still worthwhile to get a master’s degree in an oil and gas-related field? Is it still possible to have a career in oil and gas? These were just some of the vital and timely questions raised at the virtual career fair organized in December by the YP London Chapter members.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer President’s Column

The key to effective strategic planning is that at some point you have to ask yourself three questions: Does our strategic process produce a plan that’s “real?” Does our plan really work for the organization? Is anybody doing anything? Your AAPG Executive Committee has focused on strategic planning and now we are answering those questions, especially No. 3. Change is critical to taking advantage of new opportunities. One of my favorite quotes on change is from Albert Einstein, “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

The first semester of 2020 brought challenges to organizations and industries across the world. While COVID-19 and the subsequent economic downturn led many companies to shut their doors, the twin crises inspired others to innovate and explore. For operators working offshore Mexico, activities and strategies developed during 2019 and 2020 have positioned them for success in 2021.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Add the offshore sector to the much-improved outlook for oil and gas. If current projections are correct, offshore activity should be getting a major boost, starting later this year. This expected rebound has more to do with sharply lower drilling and production costs than with higher oil prices.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Desperate to ship crude oil from the oil-rich province of Alberta to the Irving Oil Refinery on Canada’s east coast, Cenovus Energy took the path of least resistance last summer. It sent oil 710 miles through the Trans Mountain Pipeline to its west coast terminal in British Columbia, loaded it on a tanker, and began a 7,500-mile journey – through the Panama Canal – and up the eastern seaboard to New Brunswick. To an outsider, that statement might seem absurd, when the distance between Alberta’s prolific oil sands and the refinery is 2,600 miles – less than a third of the distance traveled by Cenovus. Yet, it was considered a successful transaction, given the fact that there is no pipeline connecting Alberta, the location of the world’s third largest oil reserves, to Canada’s east coast, the location of the country’s largest refinery.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
wwwUpdate Blog

New upgraded access from the AAPG Bulletin. AAPG Member access to the online AAPG Bulletin is moving to a new platform hosted by GeoScienceWorld. You will still be able to read and download all Bulletin articles, from 1917 to the current issue.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

In the best of times, AAPG’s Director of Innovation and Emerging Science/ Technology Susan Nash has to weigh the costs and benefits of “the next big thing” out there for the industry, separating the helpful from the hyperbolic, to see which new advancements will have the greatest impact on how the industry moves forward. But undertaking all that in the middle of a pandemic is a whole new ballgame, for it makes an industry – especially one like the oil and gas industry – to take stock of exactly what the possibilities and ramifications will be when the future landscape has been so transfigured by recent events that it is almost unrecognizable from anything that preceded it

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Director’s Corner

Later this month here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’ll enjoy the spring equinox and with it the passing of winter to spring. For those of us here in North America, particularly our members in Texas who recently experienced a polar vortex accompanied by snow, ice and freezing temperatures, this transition is welcome. With spring comes new beginnings and that, too, is welcome. The concerns of COVID have not vanished, but as vaccinations roll out across the globe, we glimpse the possibility of recovery. I am hopeful.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Regions and Sections

“Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change,” said Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Galactic. This is true of many scientific and business ventures buffeted by 2020's economic chaos. “Survive and thrive” describes the efforts of all the AAPG sections and affiliated societies. Our AAPG sections include the nation's most vital and historic geological societies. As the new AAPG vice president of sections, it is an honor to host a monthly virtual teleconference meeting with the section presidents, presidents-elect and society leaders.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Management with the Dynamic Group of Houston are convinced after four years of study that they have identified significant new play potential deep on the west Louisiana shelf, a province largely regarded by industry as mature for exploration. “Most of our industry thinks the U.S. shelf is in late life, and the only remaining opportunities are for low-risk, low volume exploitation targets,” said Rob Pascoe, managing director and chief geologist. “We believe that may not be the whole story. Our studies describe a large-scale new play, with the potential to be liquids rich and high value.” He said new technology and geological insights are the key.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Hot Items

Explorer Article

The South American country of Suriname has launched an aggressive campaign to ramp up offshore oil production.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Director’s Corner

Perhaps you did a double take pulling the April issue of EXPLORER from the mailbox. What is this? If you joined AAPG in the last 40 years, you’ve only known EXPLORER in its long-standing tabloid format. It worked well for many years as our advertisers – particularly seismic companies – loved the large format and the ability to display their data on a sweeping canvas. For readers, it was a little more awkward.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Adventure enthusiasts should enjoy the story of Angelo Pitoni, a larger- than-life geologist whose story includes exploits rivaling any of those portrayed on the big screen. This article focuses specifically on a chapter of his life that took place in my country, Venezuela, and forms part of our country’s oil exploration history.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Brazil’s famed “Father of the Pre-Salt,” Guilherme de Oliveira Estrella, is credited with several major oil discoveries and with advances in petroleum systems research.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

An influx of recent mergers and acquisitions has brought even more operators to the Permian, and there are some regions where there is still much geoscience to be done. 

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Headquarters Contacts

Susan Nash
Susan Nash Director, Innovation and Emerging Science and Technology, AAPG +1 405 314 7730