AAPG International Conference & Exhibition
October 24-27, 2004 • Cancun Convention Center • Cancun, Mexico

Welcome to Cancun 2004!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee for the 2004 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, jointly sponsored by the Mexican Association of Petroleum Geologists, I want to warmly extend to you and your companions our most cordial invitation to the strikingly beautiful resort city of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, October 24–27.

Mexico has a long-standing tradition as a welcoming host for international visitors and is well known for its exotic ecosystems, gorgeous beaches, archaeological sites, colonial cities, architecture, traditions, superb cuisine, and also as one of the world's most important oil and gas producers. On this occasion we are combining both the richness of the country with a very important milestone.

Petroleum Geology in Mexico will be celebrating 100 years in 2004, and what better opportunity to celebrate it than having an international technical conference and exhibition, jointly sponsored by both AAPG and AMGP. The oil industry in Mexico got its head start in 1904 when a gusher was discovered in the Cerro la Pez well in the municipality of Ebano, San Luis Potosi in the Tampico basin; since then 30 billion barrels of oil and 50 tcf of gas have been produced, and there are still remnant reserves of over 40 billion barrels and 80 tcf.

For a country with a history of one century of exploration and production of oil and gas, many people would assume its industry would be declining. Nevertheless, through the application of technologies, new business concepts, and a focus on new frontiers, production is expanding, enabling the country to meet the challenge of providing the inexpensive and secure energy that the North American market requires to meet its growth expectations.

The technical program is woven from six major themes: Deep-Water Exploration, Development and Production; Geology and Seismic Interpretation; Mexican Basins and Beyond; Special Sessions -- Management and Strategy; Special Sessions -- Beyond Conventional Petroleum; Exploration and Production Concepts and Technologies. These themes represent 24 oral and 21 poster sessions. These themes are united by strands of linked oral and poster sessions, allowing interested registrants to focus the entire time in the conference on specific topics. This entire program will be enriched by exhibition halls with all kinds of facilities, geological field trips, and short courses provided by AMGP and AAPG before and after the conference.

In addition, for you to fully benefit from the opportunities provided by Cancun and environs, we will also provide a suite of ecological tours to the jungle, beaches, reefs and spectacular ancient Mayan ceremonial centers and ports.

Make plans to come and spend some quality time with us in the wonderful environs of Cancun while learning in depth how less costly oil and gas resources can continue to be found and produced.

¡ Bienvenidos !

Alfredo E. Guzman Baldizán, General Chair