Roots Lie in Denver

International Pavilion Coming Home

By KATHY SHIRLEY
EXPLORER Correspondent

here seems to be a unique karma surrounding this year's International Pavilion at the AAPG annual meeting -- and there's a pretty good explanation why.

This year, the IP is returning to its roots.

That has organizers feeling especially excited about once again making the IP an integral part of the annual meeting experience.

It was in 1994 -- the last time AAPG held its annual convention in Denver -- when meeting organizers first conceived the idea of designating a special section of the exhibits hall for international delegations.

In the IP, they said, representatives would display oil and gas exploration and development opportunities in their countries.

That initial venture was very successful -- officials from about 52 countries participated -- and a new component of annual meetings had been born. It even became a part of the annual international meetings.

International Pavilion Committee co-chairs Susan Morrice, with S. Morrice & Associates, and Debbie Sycamore, with Aspect Resources, both in Denver, want this meeting to be another step in keeping the IP's growth steady and vital.

"We are trying to keep a high level of excitement and interest in the International Pavilion so we don't get lost in a sea of conventions," Sycamore said. "We hope the Global Forum (a post-meeting "bonus") will help attract higher level international delegates to AAPG's annual convention."

The Global Community

This year the International Pavilion will include 40 to 45 countries, some that have participated for years and some that are new.

Also, the "virtual pavilion" will be back this year -- an online version of the IP that is open year-round.

(During the Denver meetingthe IP will seek to highlight the phenomenal growth of global electrification from natural gas. Anyone can join ministerial officials, power producers and explorationists working together to create synergies from upstream through downstream markets.)

"The International Pavilion Committee has worked hard to make this year's pavilion the best yet," Morrice said. "We do live in a global community today, and it's important to keep the lines of communication open worldwide."

To that end, organizers are offering the new Global Forum June 6-7, after the convention officially closes. The program includes:

• A field trip that will showcase the vertical stream of natural gas utilization.

• A workshop, chaired by AAPG president Marlan Downey, that will focus on lessons learned from successes and failures in joint ventures between countries and oil companies.
  
  "This seminar will highlight the importance of empowering people and what makes good business deals work," Sycamore said.

• A luncheon, which will feature a discussion on networking plus a panel discussion featuring:

  • Don Felio, with BP Amoco, who has 20 years of international exploration experience and is known for his skill in identifying the key elements to a long-term successful joint venture relationship between countries and companies.
  • Tom O'Connor, a petroleum management advisor working with several foreign governments, international oil companies and contractors.
  • Shawky Abdine, past chairman of the board and managing director of GUPCO in Egypt.
  • Akif Narimanov, chief geologist and vice president of SOCAR in Azerbaijan.

Other invited participants will be Robbie Gries, AAPG president-elect; J.C. Whorton with Andersen; George Kronman, with Landmark and co-author of AAPG's "International Oil and Gas Ventures -- A Business Perspective"; and Charles L. Clemmons, president of I.H.S. Economics and Consulting Services.

"The whole intent of the global forum is to complement the International Pavilion," Morrice said. "The forum is a nice venue to discuss how to consummate business deals and make them the best possible ventures for everyone involved."

Morrice also said the AAPG will honor Jay Gallagher, a driving force in the IP's success story who died earlier this year after a battle with cancer.

Gallagher, who was editor of the IHS International Oil Letter, worked together with Rosemary Jaworskyj of The Energists forthe past seven years to ensure the International Pavilion's contributions to the annual meeting. His country contacts and her fundraising were -- and continue to be -- instrumental to the IP's success.

Gallagher also will be honored at the convention's opening ceremonies.