REGION NEWS
News from Russia
John Dolson
As I transition from AAPG Vice President and back into a more normal working routine here in Moscow, I am pleased to announce that AAPG is continuing to expand its influence in Russia. In addition, I will be assuming a new role as the Energy and Minerals Councilor (EMD) for the European Region.
The European Region remains one of AAPG’s most dynamic and important regions, and with the addition of Russia, certainly the largest geographic territory for oil and gas in the world. The economic connection between Europe and Russia is vitally important, with so much gas locked up in Russia’s super major, Gazprom, and with uncertain surrounding political and economic ties to Europe.
So, understanding Russians and its oil gas resources and rapidly evolving business environment is important to all European AAPG members. To facilitate this, AAPG has approved participation in two upcoming events.
The first is the SEG/EAGO/ROSNEDRO/AAPG organized Tyumen Oil and Gas conference http://seg.org/meetings/tyumen2007/, to be held in Tyumen, West Siberia from December 4-7, 2007. This important conference will cover key exploration and production issues needed to revitalize the Russian oil and gas industry after 10 years of turmoil following perestroika. With a strong technical workforce and large numbers of very talented young geoscientists and many progressive leaders participating, it is a good opportunity to meet the leaders and future leaders of the Russian oil and gas industry. Change takes time and comes from dialogue and partnership. I encourage you to submit abstracts by the September 15, 2007 deadline and brave a beautiful Russian winter in West Siberia (what more novel experience could you ask for?).
The second conference will be held in the 2nd quarter 2009 and is being organized directly by AAPG through Istvan Berczi, current European President. Titled “3P” it will explore the circum-arctic ‘polar petroleum potential’ and will involve governments and geoscientists from Russia, Norway, United Kingdom, Greenland, Canada and the U.S. in a global look at arctic potential and challenges. More information is forthcoming.
In the next few months, the Russian Geological Society will also be finishing translation of AAPG Memoir 86, Global Resource Estimates from Total Petroleum Systems. It will be distributed across major Russian institutes and companies and we hope will be the start of more translations both to/from Russian for AAPG.
So two conferences, over 200 student members and increasing interest/dialogue with AAPG members across a country which holds the largest petroleum workforce and reserves in the world is keeping us relevant here. It is a start, but we have a long way to go to bring geoscientists from Russia into the European Region and AAPG in general. Our total membership is very low compared to the resources. Help us find more ways to do that and enjoy getting to know a lot of interesting people, visit interesting places in challenging times of the year and learn more about this fascinating country and complex business environment.