Meet the Members
Dr. Nikolai Lopatin
by John Dolson
Dr. Nikolai Lopatin has been elected to the House of Delegates. Dr. Lopatin brings to AAPG a sterling international reputation and broad contacts throughout Europe and Russia.
Nikolai has presented a proposal for a joint AAPG/SEG conference in Tyumen for the second quarter, 2007 which would focus on the differences between exploration practices in East and West. This would include business practices as well as technical and environmental standards. There is great interest in this conference, proposed for Tyumen and SEG has joined in examining the feasibility of a joint AAPG/SEG format. ROSNEDRO, Russia’s subsurface governance board would host the event and attendance would be limited to about 300 people. The concept is also endorsed by the governor of the Tyumen province. Two other sub-regional conferences, run primarily by Russian societies, are also under review for support and possible participating in 2007.
Dr. Lopatin is also heading up a committee to examine ways to publish AAPG memoirs in Russia. A contract with the Russian Geological Society (ROSGEO) to translate one memoir this year and distribute it free throughout Russia is being reviewed in its final stages. ROSGEO actually made the proposal to AAPG, so we feel relatively certain this contract will be approved by ROSGEO. AAPG has already agreed to transfer copyright to ROSGEO for the Russian version.
We recognize in Russia that our growth will be dependent primarily upon our ability to provide value through local events, talks, conferences, publications and field trips. Our application, for example, is now drafted in Russian.
Engaging in this newsletter is a good first step to communicate throughout the European Region and Russia why to get active in AAPG. This fall, we will host three evening presentations by AAPG members in Moscow in concert with SPE, SEG and EAGE. For the last six months, these monthly meetings have consistently drawn over 100 people and we look forward to increased attendance as people get used to a regular schedule and enjoy high quality talks.
Increasing the number of smaller, more focused conferences in Russia will be an excellent model for growth. Costs can be kept very low and the venue simple, without expensive exhibitions. The networks and relationships that develop will strengthen our position here and assure steady growth.
Discussions are also ongoing with SEG about opening a Moscow office to provide more local support and facilitate dues payment and recruitment. First, however, we need to establish a broader base and demonstrate the ability to grow. The future here is quite exciting and we are looking for more volunteers to grow in a region with the largest hydrocarbon resources in the world and just 35 Active AAPG members and fewer than 200 total members, including students. That seems like quite an imbalance in numbers, doesn’t it?
So if you want to help, please let us add you to our list of active volunteers.