More than 200 geologists, geophysicists and engineers attended the "International Symposium on China Petroleum Exploration in the 21st Century: Second Marine Forum on Marine Carbonate Reservoirs," held recently in Hangzhou, China.

The conference's co-chairs were Zhai Guanming of the China Association of Petroleum Geologists, and Michel T. Halbouty of AAPG and the Circum-Pacific Council.

Held in the beautiful setting of the Hangzhou State Hotel on the shores of the West Lake, presenters came from China, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, Spain, England and the United States. There were 13 technical sessions with 95 presentations.

Technical paper topics were wide-ranging, and included:

• World energy reserves assessment and demand.
• The importance of paleokarst in hydrocarbon exploration.
• Use of fluid inclusions in reservoir development.
• Comprehensive studies of Chinese, American, Canadian and Russian carbonate reservoirs.
• Full field development techniques.
• Future trends in portfolio evaluation.
• The future of 3-D seismic -- geologic modeling.

Besides the excellent quality of the papers presented, discussions indicated that idea-sharing was almost continuous!

Most common questions covered improved exploration and development of "buried carbonate hills," stacked and fractured carbonate reservoir development and how to improve the economics of these complex reservoirs.

A "proceedings volume" consisting of selected outstanding papers is planned.

Sponsors and hosts of the conference were AAPG, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Chinese Petroleum Society.

Additional sponsorship was provided by Shell, Kerr-McGee and BP.

AAPG was proud to participate in the symposium, and plans already are beginning for the next conference. With such wonderful facilities and planning, we hope that the next meeting will be as successful. It was an honor to attend and meet new friends.

In Mandarin, "she-she" means "thank you." To me, "she-she" is not enough to express my gratitude for this conference.

It's now official: Next year's AAPG international conference and exhibition will be held in September in Barcelona, Spain.

The meeting will be based on the theme "Crossroads of Geology, Energy and Cultures," and the hosts will be the Institut Cartografic de Catalunya. The meeting dates are Sept. 21-24.

Watch for more details on the meeting in the EXPLORER, at AAPG booths at various meetings and on the Web site

New officers for some AAPG international regions have been announced.

They include:

Africa International Region

• President -- Bayo Akinpelu.
• Vice president -- Yomi Fisher.
• President-elect -- Kunle Adesida.
• Secretary/Treasurer -- Theo Duze
• AAPG Advisory Council Observer -- Deborah Ajakaiye.

Canada International Region

• President -- John Hogg.
• Vice president/Treasurer -- Warren Workman.
• Secretary/Foreman -- Paul English.
• Past-president -- Debra Nishida.
• Advisory Council Representative -- Marty Hewitt.

Latin America International Region

• Advisory Council -- Felipe Audemard.
• President -- Marcio Mello.
• President-elect -- Alfredo Guzman.
• Vice president -- Cesar Ardiles.
• Secretary/Treasurer -- Stanley R. Wharton.

Also, a proposal to change the Latin American officer terms from one year to two years passed.