Some Visiting Geoscientists are restricted in their travel. After their name is listed the states in which they are able to travel. Also included is a small paragraph about the VG and possible title for their talk as well as topics they can elaborate on.
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Sunit K. Addy
Manager, Interpretation, CGG, Villahermosa, Mexico. Formerly staff geophysicist with ARCO International Oil & Gas Company and Research Scientist with University of Texas Institute of Geophysics. Explorationist for oil and gas with over 19 years of experience and has worked in the Midcontinent, Rockies, West Texas, Gulf of Mexico as well as the North Sea, U.K., Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, India, and Middle East.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Seismic Facies Analysis Using Neural Net in Delineating Exploration Plays and in Predicting Reservoir Properties Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Edith
Allison
*Prefers North-Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, CA, OK
Manages Oil and Gas Exploration research, focusing on future resources such as basin-centered gas, gas hydrates and sub-salt reservoirs. Research is conducted in partnership with universities, industry and National Laboratories.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Future Natural Gas Resources: technological advances
- Gas Hydrate: what is the likelihood that this large untapped resource will tip the world energy balance away
from the Middle East- United States Energy, Past, Present and Future: how technology, economics and politics will continue to shape our energy use Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Lee T. Billingsley
Vice President/Exploration, Abraxas Petroleum Corp., San Antonio, Texas, Lee is focused on exploration and exploitation in West Texas, South Texas and Wyoming, utilizing 3D seismic and horizontal drilling. Lee has 30 years of experience applying goescience to economically recover oil and gas and is currently AAPG's president.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Exploitation of Devonian chert reservoir utilizing 3D seismic and horizontal drilling, Delaware basin, Texas
- Future demand projections for fossil fuels and the role of petroleum geologists Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Robert W. Blake
Rob is currently Brazil Exploration Manager for Chevron with twenty four years experience in frontier exploration and asset evaluation. He has led major exploration efforts in China, deepwater Nigeria, and Brazil in addition to participating in frontier exploration projects in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and western Gulf of Mexico. Drilling experience includes over 20 international wildcats and appraisal wells, including the billion barrel Agbami discovery offshore Nigeria. Degrees: MS Geology, State University of New York Albany and a BS Geology, University of California at Davis.
Possible Titles of Talk:
Success and Failure in Frontier Exploration -- Examples from China, Nigeria and Brazil Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Lyle G. Bruce
Senior Hydrogeologist with BP America’s Remediation Management Group. Thirty-three years in geologic practice, approximately evenly split between petroleum exploration and environmental restoration of petroleum contamination. Current specialties are hydrogeology, geochemistry, and environmental forensics.
Topics: Hydrogeology; Petroleum Geology; Environmental Forensics. I can present a background in environmental forensics and chemical fingerprinting of hydrocarbon contamination, or provide case histories in new developments in environmental remediation, particularly anaerobic biodegradation. Can also present basics of hydrogeology or petroleum geology for general undergraduate audience, or give a higher level with detailed case histories for graduate students.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Environmental Forensics: Fingerprinting Contaminants
- Understanding Natural Processes in Cleaning Up Environmental Contaminants Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Tim R. Carr
Has over 20 years of oil and gas industry experience in research and operations and is currently an adjunct professor at West Virginia University.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery, Sequestration and Climate -- Closing the Loop
- Structural and Hydrodynamic Evolution of the Largest North American Gas Field -- the Hugoton
- Improved Oil Recovery in Mississippian Carbonates
- Trace and Rare-Earth Elemental Variation in a Midcontinent Carbonate Sequence -- Understanding Reservoir Development Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Robert
D. Cowdery
Consulting geologist in Wichita, Kansas. Over 40 years of industry experience. AAPG President 1996-97, Vice Chair Visiting Geoscientist Program Committee.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Careers
- Energy -- Past, Present & Future
- Mistakes I Have Made
- Paleogeomorphology vs. Geomorphology -- and Never the Twain Shall Meet, or Will They? Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Bob Davis
Currently Principal Geologist located in Bakersfield, California. It is his task to market, interpret and generate new applications for borehole images. He joined Schlumberger in 1977 after receiving a BS degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He has held positions worldwide including Field Engineer, District Manager, Division Geologist and Interpretation Support Manager. Bob has been working with geological applications and interpretation of Dipmeter and Borehole Image data since 1985.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Identification and Characterization of Faults and Folds Using Borehole Electrical Images Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Joe Dischinger
Joe Dischinger is a research geologist for ExxonMobil, VRC in the Visualization and Integration division. He has worked for ExxonMobil about five years and he specializes in 3D interpretation, exploration and well planning. Dischinger has worked for Vastar Resources, Oklahoma Geological Survey, American Museum of Natural History, the University of Oklahoma and is currently an adjunct professor at Tomball College where he teaches weekly.
Possible Title of Talk:
- 3D Well Planning or Visualization
- Volume Interpretation Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Rebecca
L. Dodge
Department of Geosciences, State University of West Georgia, Carrollton. Previously employed by Exxon Production Research as a structural geologist and remote sensing specialist. At Exxon, taught in-house schools including structural interpretation, remote sensing, petroleum play analysis and introductory geology.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Environmental and Resource Management Applications of Remote Sensing Return to Titles
TOPICS:
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Marlan
W. Downey
Dallas. AAPG President 2000-01, University of Oklahoma 1996-99, ARCO 1990-96 and Shell Oil 1957-87.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Predicting the Future
- Seals for Hydrocarbons
- Groping Toward a National Energy Policy Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Lee
D. Entsminger
Area manager, Middle East, ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston. Over 24 years of oil and gas experience in the U.S. and international. Areas of expertise include assessment of exploration potential and economic evaluation, regional geology, petroleum systems, stratigraphy and tectonics.
TOPICS:
Richard
I. Gibson
Consulting geologist/geophysicist, Gibson Consulting, Butte, Montana. More than 25 years specializing in tectonic interpretations of gravity and magnetic data for hydrocarbon exploration worldwide. Extensive experience in the former Soviet Union and western United States. Has taught field geology at Indiana Universitys field camp in Montana as well as an oil industry short course in gravity and magnetic interpretation.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Tectonics and Hydrocarbon Exploration Using the Magnetic Map of the Former Soviet Union
- Subsurface Geologic Site Characterization of the Pantex Nuclear Weapons Plant
- Magnetics, Tectonics, and Hydrocarbon Occurrences in the Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Patrick
J. F. Gratton
Independent geologist, Dallas. Involved primarily in Southwestern U.S. petroleum exploration. Past Chair AAPG House of Delegates, past President AAPG Division of Professional Affairs, currently President-Elect AAPG.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- How to Find an Oil Field Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Richard
G. Green
Thirty years of experience in geology, engineering, reserve, and prospect evaluation and field development in the United States and internationally. Graduate of Kansas State University in 1973. Currently Senior Vice President at LaRoche Petroleum Consultants in Dallas, Texas, with prior experience with major and independent oil companies and consultants.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Preparing Yourself for a Career in Petroleum Geology Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Alfredo
E. Guzman
North Region Sub-Director, Pemex Exploration and Production, Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico, specializing in petroleum exploration, sedimentology, planning, risk analysis, field development, and operations.
Possible Title of Talk:
- The Petroleum Geology of Mexico
- The Role of Geology in the Search for Oil and Gas Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Jean
L. Hamilton
Sr. Staff Geologist, Marathon Oil Company, Houston. Presently serving on Worldwide Exploration VP staff. Previous experience includes exploration and development work as Chief Geologist-International Exploration, in offshore Gulf of Mexico, offshore California, onshore Gulf Coast, and two years on staff of Domestic Exploration VP.
TOPICS:
J.
Janine Helmich
Senior Geologist, Marathon Oil Company, Houston. Over 10 years of experience at a major oil company. Started career working Oklahoma, but spent the majority of ten year experience working international locations including, Red Sea, Black Sea, Former Soviet Union and West Africa. Most recent experience working deep water Angola with an emphasis in seismic interpretation and resource quantification. Currently work is focused in deep water Gulf of Mexico exploration.
Possible Title of Talk:
- My Experience as a Petroleum Exploration Geologist
- Once We Find the Oil, How Do We Decide How Much is There? Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Donald
A. Herron
Geophysicist, BP, Houston. Over 30 years of experience in seismic interpretation with major oil companies, presently working deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Primary interests are seismic interpretation, structural geology and earth science education.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Interpretation of Reflection Seismic Data from the Gulf of Mexico Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Debra
Higley-Feldman
Petroleum geologist with U.S.G.S. since 1983, Lakewood, Colorado. Previously uranium exploration geologist with Nuclear Assurance Corp. Research includes petroleum system assessment of foreland basins, thermal maturity of hydrocarbon source rocks, reservoir characterization, and 2D and 3D computer modeling.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Petroleum Systems of the Putumayo-Oriente-Maranon Basin, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
- Reservoir Geologic, Geochemical and Engineering Characteristics of the Wattenberg Basin-Center Gas Field, Colorado
- Material Balance Assessment of the New Albany Shale Petroleum System, Illinois Basin
- 3D Reservoir Characterization of the Upper Cretaceous Sussex 'B' Sandstone, Powder River Basin
- 4-D Petroleum System Model of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin; What it shows of the history of the basin Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Michael A. Jacobs
Over 25 years as a geoscientist including 13 years in uranium, precious metal, and oil and gas exploration in the western U.S., and Texas for Noranda Mines, Tenneco Minerals, Coastal Oil and Gas and Kerr McGee Corporation and twelve years environmental experience as a geologist/hydrogeologist at the NASA Johnson Space Center, White Sands Test Facility, El Paso Energy, Department of Defense, and Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. Jacobs is currently involved in groundwater and soil remediation projects on upstream oil and gas properties, including site characterization, remediation system design and construction, groundwater modeling. He is active in AAPG and serves on the Southwest Section Advisory Board Member. Jacobs will serve as AAPG's Division of Environmental Geosciences (DEG) 2006/2007 Vice President.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- The Role of the Environmental Geoscientist in the Oil and Gas Industry
- The Importance of Geological Principles in Site Characterization and Design of Remediation Systems
- Case Study of Selected Technologies to Remediate Soil and Groundwater at Natural Gas Compression Facilities, West Panhandle Field, Texas
- Case Studies of Integrated Approaches to the Cleanup of Groundwater Impacted by Oilfield Brine Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Barry
J. Katz
ChevronTexaco Fellow, Houston. Has held various technical and supervisory positions within ChevronTexaco's research organization. The themes of his research have addressed the role of geochemistry in petroleum exploration and development. Over the past decade much of his work has focused on deltas and lacustrine systems.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Lacustrine Basin Hydrocarbon Exploration -- Current Thoughts
- Applications of Geochemistry to Exploration and Production Problems
- Significance of DSDP and ODP Results on Deepwater Exploration Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Gerald
J. Kuecher
Sedimentologist, Baker Atlas Geoscience Consultants, Houston. Coordinates applied deepwater sedimentology and applied image log seminars. Presents an industry course entitled "Applied Sedimentology and Stratigraphy." Has expertise in tidal, deltaic and deepwater sediments.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Image Log Applications in the Interpretation of Subsurface Rocks
- Log Responses to Depositional Environments Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Stephen
E. Laubach
Senior Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin. Specializes in structural geology, rock mechanics, and natural fracture characterization. Has published extensively on deep and tight gas reservoirs, coalbed methane, and horizontal drilling prospects, and is one of the instructors for AAPGs Fractured Reservoir Characterization and Modeling school.
Possible Title of Talk:
- Targeting Natural Fractures: Opportunities for the Domestic Petroleum Industry Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Woodruff G. "Woody" Leel Jr.
Consulting Geologist, Plano, Texas. Thirty four years of hydrocarbon exploration and development worldwide. Extensive experience in South America, Gulf of Thailand and mid-continent USA
Possible Title of Talks:
- The Independent Oil Company in the International Arena.
- The 4 P's in Thailand and Malaysia Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Louis
Liro
*Prefers south central U.S.
Senior Geologist, Veritas Exploration Services, Houston. Over 20 years experience in exploration and field development. Specialties are reservoir stratigraphy, salt tectonics, and petroleum systems evaluation. Has published and presented over 50 papers on sequence stratigraphy, salt tectonics, and workstation visualization, and has taught courses in sequence stratigraphy and basin evaluation.
Possible Title of Talks:
- Workstation Visualization Techniques: Translating 'High-Tech' into Day-to-Day Use
- Subsalt Exploration in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico: Geophysical Support of Developing Geologic Concepts Return to Titles
TOPICS:
H.
Roice Nelson, Jr.
Vice-President Geokinetics Processing & Interpretation, initial founder of Dynamic Resources Corporation, Walden 3-D, Inc., and Landmark Graphics Corporation. Has published extensively (see www.walden3d.com), co-founding the Allied Geophysical Laboratory at the University of Houston. Spent early years with Mobil and Amoco.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- The Impending Obsolescence of Maps
- Data Mining: An Example of Texas Shelf Re-exploration
- Success Has Many Parents: Stories from the Founding of Landmark Graphics Return to TItles
TOPICS:
Eric
S. Pasternack
President, Outsource Petrophysics, Inc., Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Currently a consulting petrophysicist with over 20 years of international and domestic experience, offering services in well log interpretation, integration of log and core data, and well-site operations. Past President of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Exploding the Myths About the Oil Industry
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Petrophysics Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Bonnie
B. Robinson
Geologist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, Washington, D.C. With 25 years of industry and government experience in petroleum and mining waste management, hazardous waste remediation, and petroleum development and exploration. Currently working on coal combustion waste management. Past DEG Vice President.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Coal Combustion Waste Minefill Management Practices
- Environmental Challenges Facing the Petroleum Exploration and Production Industry
- Environmental Challenges Facing the Mining Industry Return to Titles
Deborah
Sacrey
Specializing in 2D and 3D seismic interpretation, Deborah has worked throughout the Mid-Continent and Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast during her 26-year career. Her specialty is working with Kingdom Suite™ Software and addressing issues with PC versus Unix-based systems. She has been an active mentor in the area of becoming an Independent or Consultant.
TOPICS:
Fred W. Schroeder
A Research Associate at ExxonMobil Upstream Research with over 29 years of industry experience. Work experience ranges from 3D survey design to horizon/fault interpretation to analyzing potential reservoirs, sources and seals. Has designed, developed and delivered numerous in-house training classes from introductory to advanced levels. Through VGP he offers traditional lectures and a short course on Geology & Geophysics Applied to Industry that you can tailor to meet your needs.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Geology & Geophysics Applied to Industry (see below)
- Basic Structural Interpretation (with optional exercises - see below)
- Basic Stratigraphic Interpretation (with optional exercises - see below)
- Finding and Developing Your Geoscience Career Return to Titles
Short Course Options:
The following short course options were developed for geology and geophysics students that have not had much exposure to how geoscience is applied in industry. It can be tailored for undergraduate juniors and seniors or graduate students. The agenda can be modified to meet specific needs and time constraints. Contact the presenter at fred.w.schroeder@exxonmobil.com to discuss options. The following are example agendas:
- Geology & Geophysics in Industry (2 days) PDF
- The Use of Seismic Data in Industry (5 hours) PDF
- Basic Structural Interpretation (5 hours) PDF
- Basic Stratigraphic Interpretation (4.5 hours) PDF
- Basics of Prospecting (4.25 hours) PDF
TOPICS:
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Dan
L. Smith
*Prefers the Gulf Coast
Geologist/Executive Vice President of Exploration, Sandalwood Oil & Gas, Inc., Houston. Over 40 years in petroleum exploration primarily in the Gulf Coast province. Concentration is on state-of-the-art, high tech applications, including 3D seismic to prospect generation. Past Chair AAPG House of Delegates. Current AAPG President.
TOPICS:
Stephen
A. Sonnenberg
Specializes in sequence stratigraphy, tectonic influence on sedimentation, and petroleum geology. He has over 20 years experience and is the Manager of the DJ Basin Business Unit of EnCana Energy Resources in Denver, CO. Steve has served as President of several organizations including the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and Colorado Scientific Society. He has also served on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission since 1997 and has been the Chair of the Commission since 1999. In addition he has been a Past President of AAPG's Division of Professional Affairs and past member of AAPG Advisory Council. Current AAPG President.
TOPICS:
M.
Ray Thomasson
President of AAPG 1999-2000. Had 17-year career with Shell which included Manager of Geologic Research, Offshore Division Manager, Chief Geologist and Head Strategic Studies for Shell in London. Currently President of Thomasson Partner Associates, Inc., Denver, where the emphasis is on the integration of geology, geochemistry, petrophysics, geophysics and reservoir engineering. His specialty is thoroughly integrated exploration projects and gas in the Rocky Mountains. Past President AAPG.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Developing Exploration Plays in the U.S.: What to Include -- With Examples
- Big Gas in the Rockies
- Fractured Basin Centered Oil Plays
- Geologist's View of Global Climate Change Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Glen
C. Ware
The Woodlands, Texas. Principal areas of experience have been field geology, frontier exploration, U.S. and foreign, and integration of exploration technology.
Possible Titles of Talk:
- Factors in Success and Failure in Industry
- Adventures in Field Geology Return to Titles
TOPICS:
Edith
Newton Wilson
A carbonate geologist by training, has held a variety of positions in international exploration and commercial groups with Amoco, BP, Phillips, and ConocoPhillips. Currently Technical Manager of Geology for Samson and calls Tulsa home.
TOPICS:




Vice President/Exploration, Abraxas Petroleum Corp., San Antonio, Texas, Lee is focused on exploration and exploitation in West Texas, South Texas and Wyoming, utilizing 3D seismic and horizontal drilling. Lee has 30 years of experience applying goescience to economically recover oil and gas and is currently AAPG's president.
Rob is currently Brazil Exploration Manager for Chevron with twenty four years experience in frontier exploration and asset evaluation. He has led major exploration efforts in China, deepwater Nigeria, and Brazil in addition to participating in frontier exploration projects in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and western Gulf of Mexico. Drilling experience includes over 20 international wildcats and appraisal wells, including the billion barrel Agbami discovery offshore Nigeria. Degrees: MS Geology, State University of New York Albany and a BS Geology, University of California at Davis.