In other AAPG News:

CSPG announces Canadian Core Conference

Paris Call for Abstracts deadline

STANDING ARTICLES:

President's Column:
Giving Thanks and Having Hope

Looking Back:
Thesis a Good Success Marker

Director's Corner:
Some New Year's Resolutions

Division Column -- DPA:
Activities, Funding Under Discussion -- Washington Office Grabs Spotlight

International Bulletin Board:
European Region

Geophysical Corner:
Don't Abuse Seismic Attributes

Saudi Arabia's giant Ghawar Field, the world's largest oil field, was the subject of a special AAPG Distinguished Lecture tour this year and is examined in the lead-off story in our annual World Developments issue. Pictured atop an early structure map of the region is the Jurassic Arab-D carbonate reservoir, which contains the world's largest oil reserves due to the combination of large structure, prolific source, excellent reservoir quality and an effective anhydrite seal. Production is about 5 million bod under peripheral water drive. Also pictured are the geologists who first mapped the area, including the legendary Max Steineke, an AAPG Powers medalist.

Photo courtesy of Saudi Aramco.

Wildcats, yes, elephants, no: A revealing snapshot look back at the top global discoveries for 2004 may help answer the question of what our oil future will be -- and from where our energy may come.

A really big show: Among the many prolific oil fields in the Middle East, the giant Ghawar stands out as the region's crown jewel.

Saudi Arabia has an enormous reputation for its enormous potential -- but does it really have enough to quench the world's thirst for more, more, more?

Alaska is a land with beautiful glaciers -- and, unfortunately, that seems to symbolize the pace of the state's oil and gas development.

To Be Posted Tuesday>> Success story: Members once again will be able to vote electronically for AAPG officers.

Commentary: How accurate is the data the public is getting on the question of global climate change?