AAPG Student Chapters


AAPG Student Chapter Program.Student Affairs Coordinator. P.O. Box 979; Tulsa, OK 74101-0979 | call toll free (USA and Canada): 1-888-945-2274 ext. 653 | phone (918) 560-2653 | fax (918) 560-2694

Student Outlook Home Page 1998 Issues 1999 Issues

Fall 1998 Issue of the AAPG Student Outlook

Show Me The $ Money $


Is it possible to work, have fun AND make money for your chapter? You bet it is! Sign up to work in the 99 San Antonio General Store. Last year five chapters divided proceeds totaling over $4,000. Sales doubled in 97 and were even higher last year! You can help earn your chapter's share....even one student can make a difference! The store provides a great opportunity to purchase AAPG apparel items as well as make personal contacts with potential employers who are shopping for more than souvenirs!

Three students received summer employment from contacts made while working in the store! It's a great way to meet other students and get to know AAPG staff. Schedules are planned so that you still get to enjoy all the benefits of the convention and have a great time while making your faculty advisor happy (who doesn't like money?). Be a part of it all - fun, income and then some!


At the General Store, Salt Lake City, Utah, AAPG 1998 Annual Convention. Adam Taylor, Stephen F. Austin State University and Monique Velaquez, University of Texas at El Paso.


[Thanks to Colorado School of Mines, San Diego State University,_University of Texas at El Paso, Michigan Tech, and Stephen F. Austin University, without these schools participating in the General Store, programs like these could not exist.]

Full Time Student Members Of AAPG Receive Reduced Tuitions

Current full-time AAPG Student Members who want to attend an AAPG Course--Tuition $50.00 AAPG members of an AAPG Student Chapter--Tuition $25.00. Three spaces will be allotted for each course and students will be accepted in the order of receiving their paid registrations.

This reduction does not apply to field Seminars.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Student Chapter
L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant Program
1998-1999

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Student Chapter Committee announces its L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant Program for the 1998-1999 school year. Funding is from the AAPG Foundation.

Aims The purpose of the grant is to support undergraduate geoscience students and departments.

Grant Size and Usage The disbursement of the grant for the 1998-1999 school year will consist of $1,000 per student chapter. Half of the grant, $500, is to be given to an undergraduate student. The remaining $500 is for the geoscience department, and should be used to support the Student Chapter, i.e. for equipment, conferences, fieldtrips, etc.

Requirements Applications will be accepted for the L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant from chapters who meet the following requirements:

The chapter must -
  • have at least 9 members who are AAPG student members
  • have at least one faculty sponsor, who maintains Active member status in AAPG
  • have an executive committee for the chapter (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer)
  • hold at least one meeting per month throughout the school year
  • have filed at least two reports with AAPG Headquarters, one in December, and one at the end of the school year

Regulations for student grant: A local committee consisting of not less than 3 individuals should determine the student recipient.

Recommended participants are:

  1. The faculty advisor to the Student Chapter
  2. The sponsoring society liaison
  3. The Student Chapter President (if not a candidate)
  4. The department chairman
  5. One or more graduate teaching assistants

Deadline for receipt at AAPG Headquarters of the name of the recipient is November 30, 1998. Separate checks will be sent to the recipient and the Department. NOTE: Undergraduate earth science majors who are not members of the Student Chapter or AAPG are eligible.

Pipeline Connections

This is a list of a few web-site addresses that may spark your interest

If you have an address you would like to submit for the next issue of the Student Outlook, please send it to Student Affairs Coordinator

 

Making the Connection...

The Internship/Mentorship Program, Houston Expo, took place at Rice University September 20-22, 1998. Universities from across the country (and even a few abroad) attended this function. The Houston Expo was the first 'official' gathering of this nature. There were many positive features of the program, along with some expected 'room for improvement'. However, the overall response seems of a very positive nature and a great level of enthusiasm to see this event grow and excel in the future.

Some of the universities that were represented: Rice University, Western Michigan University, Boise State University, Ohio University, New Mexico Tech, Stephen F. Austin, University of Wisconsin, University of Alabama, University of Texas at Permian Basin, University of Southwestern Louisiana, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Colorado School of Mines, Baylor University, University of Kansas, University of Iowa, Vanderbilt University, Saint Louis University, Oklahoma State University, University of Mississippi, and Temple University (Sorry if I missed your school).

Industry representatives attended from the following companies: Amoco, Midland Valley, Mobil, BHP Petroleum, Seneca, Marathon, Unocal, Texaco, Chevron, and Vastar.


A Big Thank you to the financial supporters of this event:
Amoco, Mobil, BHP Petroleum, Marathon, and Unocal.



Student Update

Two AAPG Student Chapters received Outstanding Student Chapter awards at the student reception at the AAPG annual meeting in Salt Lake City.

The University of Wyoming Chapter was cited for its involvement in the internship/mentorship program for Colorado, student chapter field trip participation and its AAPG Student Chapter High School Outreach Program.

The Colorado School of mines chapter was awarded for its excellent communication and continued attendance at AAPG conventions and field trips over the past 14 years. Chapter members also were participants in the internship/mentorship program for Colorado. Both schools received $500 awards, sponsored by Schlumberger.

New Outcrops

AAPG proudly announces the following newly formed Student Chapters:

  • Colorado State University at Ft. Collins ( May 1998)
  • University of Akron, Ohio (June 1998)
  • University of Aberdeen, Scotland (August 1998)
  • University of Southwestern Louisiana (May 1998)
  • University of Texas at San Antonio (September 1998)
  • University of South Carolina (October 1998)
  • Texas Christian University (October 1998)
  • University of Regina (October 1998)

New Officers Announced

The AAPG Student Chapter at Texas A & M has a new set of officers to announce:

President - Lindsey Poth, senior geophysics student
Vice-President - Chad Broyles, senior geophysics student
Secretary - Sheila Ward, sophomore geology student
Treasurer - Catherine Price, grad geology student

Tid Bits

Trent McDaniel, Vice-President, Stephen F. Austin Univ. Student Chapter has already sent in an excellent report on their first meeting! They have wonderful events planned. An impressive community service event attend was the Third Annual Sweat Equity Day for SFA. Involves the beautification of the campus.

David Remley, Secretary, and Camilo Montes, President, have been working hard on a membership drive at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville AAPG Student Chapter. They have 14 prospective new student members.

Reminder

The applications for the Austin Weeks Grant and the Book Draw are nearing the deadline dates. If you have misplaced your forms, please let me know so I can send a new form immediately.


Outstanding Student Chapter Award

Jeff Bryden, 1997-98 President, University of Wyoming AAPG Student Chapter, receiving a $500 award for Outstanding Student Chapter from Joe Jacquot, Schlumberger GeoQuest, Manager of Future Product Marketing. [Left Photo]

Aaron Kullman, 1997-98 President, Colorado School of Mines AAPG Student Chapter, presents his acceptance speech of the Schlumberger sponsored $500 award for Outstanding Student Chapter. [Right Photo]


Congratulations to our Award Winners

1998 AAPG Annual Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah

Poster Session:

1st Place award of $1,000 to Elizabeth Mason, in addition Stanford received $2,000.

2nd Place award of $500 to Carmen Garcia-Carballido, in addition U. Of Aberdeen received $1,000.

3rd Place award of $250 to Laurent Maerten, in addition Stanford received $500.


Paper Session:

1st Place award of $1,000 to Aileen Mcleod, in addition U. Of Edinburg received $2,000.

2nd Place award of $500 to Elise Bekele, in addition U. Of Minnesota received $1,000.

3rd Place award of $250 to Diahn Hawkins, in addition U. Of Alabama received $500.


Shell donated $10,500 to the student oral and poster sessions during the annual convention.
Thank you Shell!!


Student Fieldtrip and Reception

Thank you Mobil, and your 'One and Only' Bob Clarke, Student Chapter Fieldtrip Coordinator
William McCarthy, UT at Austin, and Michael Chapin, New Mexico Tech...two AAPG Student Chapter Presidents returning to Salt Lake City after the fieldtrip!

Student Chapter Fieldtrip at the Late Cretaceous Facies Tract, Bookcliffs Area and Ferron Deltaic Complex, Utah.



Student Reception.

Fieldtrip Leaders

Bob Clarke, robert_t_clarke@email.mobil.com
Donald A. Best, donald_a_best@email.mobil.com
Richard J. Moiola, richard_j_moioa@email.mobil.com
John B. Wagner, wagnerj@pioneernrc.com
Joann E. Welton, joann_e_welton@email.mobil.com
Frank M. Wright, frank_m_wright@email.mobil.com

Fieldtrip Attendees/Students:

Lenora Becknal, SFASU
Robert Becknal, SFASU
Charles Bondurant, sulu@downtown.inu.net
Terra Bulloch, tebulloc@mtu.edu
Mike Chapin, mchapin@nmt.edu
Rucsandra Corbeanu, corbeanu@utdallas.edu
Darren Davis, SFASU
Jeff Eaton, jeaton@weber.edu
Laura Faulkenberry, lauraf@mail.utexas.edu
Gregg Flynn, SFASU
Mike Halpin, SFASU
Bill Houston, whouston@mtu.edu
Jonathan Hull, jhull@ncpgg.adelaide.edu.au
Theresa Jones, SFASU
Aaron Kullman, akullman@mines.edu
Andrew Leier, aleier@uwyo.edu
Calum Macaulay, c.macaulay@surrc.gla.ac.uk
Ann Marchand, a.marchand@geology.gla.as.uk
William McCarthy, rockhound@mail.utexas.edu
Trent McDaniel, SFASU
Aileen McLeod, aileen.mcleod@glg.cd.ac.uk
Cheryl Metz, clmetz@marshill.com
Jace Morris, SFASU
Patrick Okaro, okaro@geo.ucalgary.ca
Mark Olson ,bigo@uwyo.edu
Todd Peters, tpeters@acsu.buffalo.edu
Keith Spencer, hayduke@uwyo.edu
Raymond Sullivan, sullivan@sfsu.edu
Adam Taylor, SFASU
Michael Webb, mwebb@uwyo.edu

Fieldtrip Attendees/ Other:

Gloria Cummins, gdcnet@3-cities.com
Kerri Donathan, students@aapg.org
Cristy Harrison, cristyharrison@Pennzoil.com
Bill Hottman, bill.hottman@halliburton.com
Henry Legarre, hleg@chevron.com
Larell Nielson, rneilson@sfa.edu
Ron Perkins, rperkins@geo.duke.edu
John Underhill, jru@glg.ed.ac.uk

Exxon Thank You

Exxon sponsored the magnificent Student Reception during the 1998 AAPG Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, tons of students, faculty, and industry guests attended this meeting and reception. Best speaker and poster awards were presented. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments were served. Exxon Exploration Company's technical Vice President, Mike G. Johnson, gave a talk on Optimizing Personal Goals within a Corporate Business Objective. The Outstanding Student chapter Awards were presented.



A Letter From a Past President...


In the past decade Stephen F. Austin State University AAPG Student Chapter (SFA) has attended numerous AAPG conventions. In fact, we have sent at least one student representative to every annual convention since 1983. The reasons for such strong attendance has been the amount of information and knowledge a Geologist can gain by attending the lectures, poster sessions, or just browsing the convention floor. Also, students attending the convention have a chance to "network" with petroleum employers.

My first AAPG experience was the convention in San Diego, California. It was my first year to be a member of the AAPG, and quite frankly I did not know what to expect. Eleven student chapter members loaded into two vans for a seven-day drive from Nacogdoches, Texas to various geologic sites along the excursion.

We did everything from viewing clastic dikes to hiking the Grand Canyon. We even had a personal tour of the Lebrea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. After viewing some of the best geology outside of East Texas we made it to San Diego; where the geology just got better. Our first event was the student field trip, which sent us down the Baja coast south of Rosarita to view some basaltic flows in the area. I can't really remember what else we saw because I had such a great time, but I know it's all in the field guide book.

The geology, scenery, and food were excellent. After clearing customs in Tijuana we then proceeded back to the AAPG convention where students had an opportune time to do some "networking" with the major petroleum companies. After the field trip we attended the post student field trip which was once again conducted by the "mighty" Bob Clarke.

This was an incredible trip that took place in southern California. We viewed everything from the San Andreas Fault to carbon dioxide driven mud volcanoes located north of the Salton Sea. Dr. Arthur Sylvester, a very knowledgeable west coast geologist from UC Santa Barbra, was the field trip leader. Any one student or professor attending this field trip can relate to me saying that this was an incredibly fun learning experience. His approach as an instructor gave all the students a great opportunity to maximize their field experience. And the food ... Well you know how well students eat á let's just say great!

Since that time I have attended the Dallas, Texas and the Salt Lake City Convention. Both conventions were a total success for our chapter.


The amount of information that we gathered from the student field trip, poster sessions, and oral presentations was phenomenal. Moreover, the acquisition of business contacts, and the enhancement of "networking" abilities of our student members made the convention more than worthwhile.

For instance, I landed a very nice internship with Hill Geophysical Consulting out of Shreveport, Louisiana. My job activities include 2D3D seismic data loading and interpretation using Kingdom Suite Software by Seismic Micro Technologies; moreover, I was able to experience and actually work with the business concepts that go along with the petroleum industry. Students who attended the AAPG Student Chapter field trip in Utah, organized by Mobile, realize how important understanding the business aspect of the petroleum industry is.

I am going to suggest to our Department Chair that the next year's convention have a mandatory attendance for all students in our department. There are too many good things that a student can learn from an AAPG convention. It is definitely a place where a student will realize that he will have to "mature" into a strong and knowledgeable Geologist to make it in the petroleum field.

A new program, the AAPG Student Expo, directed by Kerri Donathan and Mary Beth Davies was held at Rice University in September. SFA attended the Student Expo along with groups from Rice, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Colorado School of Mines to name a few. Once again AAPG has created another event for students to network with petroleum employers. The event is an excellent place for a student to showcase his or her talents by being able to present posters to the viewing public. Also, students have a chance to interview with employers in the petroleum field to receive awesome internships or even full time jobs.

I recommend geology students begin attending the AAPG Expos and Conventions as early as possible in their careers, so that they may learn about the opportunities that await them.

The sooner you start showcasing your talents the better your chances are of receiving a job in the petroleum field. By the way, if your school does not have an AAPG Student Chapter then take it upon yourself to organize one. The benefits are outstanding!

Charles Bondurant

Student Authors Announced for the 1999 AAPG Convention, San Antonio


Oral Sessions

Andrea Adams, Texas A & M

A Comparison Study of Mississippian Mounds in the Lodgepole Formation of Montana and North Dakota.

Geoffroy Mahieux, University of Lill I - France

Forced Regression in Upper Jurassic Sediments (Boulonnais, N France): Comparative Outcrop and High Resolution Seismic Study.

Han Li, Oklahoma State University

Hydrocarbon Generation Mechanism of Immature to Marginal Mature Oil as Evidenced by Hydrous Pyrolysis on Extracted and Non-extracted Source Rocks.

Mark Deptuck, St. Mary's Univ.

Timing and Location of Lte Cretaceous to Eocene Erosional Features and Submarine fans of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, Offshore Newfoundland

Laura Faulkenberry, Univ. Of TX

Alluvial Architecture of the Non-marine Gila Group, Mimbres Basin, New Mexico.

David Segonds, Institut Francals Du Petrole

A new way to interactively modify complex interfaces modeled using triangulated meshes.

Holli Frey Franklin & Marshall College

Shelf-Margin Instability and the Formation of Meter-Scale, Horizontal Submarine Cavities in Cambrian Microbialite.

Anika Mutch, Rice University

A Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis of an Oligo-Miocene Carbonate Platform; Beagle and Northern Dampier Sub-basins of the Carnarvon Basin, NW Shelf of Australia.

Tobias Payenberg, University of Toronto

Delineation of deltaic and alluvial channel orientations using paleocurrents and facies analysis - an example from the Kutai basin, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Denise Hodder, University of Calgary

Physical Modeling of the Fold and Thrust Belt in the Fort Liard area, NW Canada.


Poster Sessions

Amy Lawrence, University of Leeds

3-D Facies Distribution within a Confined Turbidite Basin, Peira Cava, SE France.

Nathaniel Reish, San Diego University

Visualizing Stress and Strain.

Sanabria Diego I, Rice University

Climatic Control on the Development of Continental Stratigraphic Sequences: An Example From the Lower Jurassic Kayenta Formation of the Colorado Plateau.

Beth Witton, Colorado School of Mines

Borehole Image Analysis of Thin-Bedded and Channelized Turbidites and Sandy Debris Flows, Lewis Shale, Wyoming.

Margie Kloska, University of Wyoming

Determining Amounts of Methane Hydrate and Free Gas from Seismic Studies, Blake Ridge, Offshore South Carolina.

Andrea Cozzi, Johns Hopkins University

Control of 3rd Order Depositional Sequences in Upper Triassic Carbonates (Southern Alps, Italy) by Extensional Tectonics.

Stonnie Pollock, New Mexico State Univ.

Transverse and Axial River Systems of the Wahweap Formation, Cordilleran Foreland Basin, Southern Utah.

Kristie Luchtel, Kansas University

Sequence stratigraphy of the upper Kearny Formation (Morrowan Series, Lower Pennsylvanian System), for the Santa Fe Trail, Cimarron Valley, and Stirrup fields, Morton County, Kansas.

Solange Casanova, Univ. Central de Venezuela

Integration of a Sedimentological Study and a Microconductivity Based Image Log with Extracted Cores from Well VLE -1254, Block V in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Renee Perez, Caracas, Venezuela

Application of Sandstone Diagenetic Modeling to Reservoir Quality Assessment of the Misoa Formation, Bachaquero Field, Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela.

Note: These are listed in no special order

AAPG Student Chapter Field Trip


Lower Cretaceous Sedimentary Geology of the Edwards Plateau

Date and Location: San Antonio Area Saturday, April 10, 7:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Leaders: Richard B. Koepnick, (Mobil Exploration and Producing Technical Center., Dallas, Texas) James V. White, (Mobil Exploration & Producing U.S., Houston, Texas), David E. Eby, (Eby Petrography & Consulting, Littleton, Colorado),Richard C. Hager (Mobil Exploration & Producing U.S., Houston, Texas) and Robert T. Clarke (Mobil Exploration and Producing Technical Center., Dallas, Texas).

Fee: $25 per person (includes transportation, lunch, refreshments and guidebook)

Limit: 40 persons (Students and Faculty ONLY).

This trip is oriented to all geoscience students as an opportunity to see classic Cretaceous (Albian) carbonate outcrops in Texas. We will visit Glen Rose and Edwards group exposures northwest of San Antonio that exhibit rudist-reef, interreef, and peritidal depositional settings. These outcrops also exhibit a variety of diagenetic and porosity modifications associated with early fabric-selective dissolution, early dolomitization, and large-scale, post-Mesozoic solution collapse. A barbecue dinner will be served in the Fredericksburg area before starting back to San Antonio.

NOTE: This trip can be bought as a package with SC Workshop #1 for only $40.

AAPG Student Chapter Workshop


Geology and Development of a Lower Cretaceous Natural Gas Field


Location: Lavaca County, Texas Sunday, April 11, 8:00am

Leaders: James V. White, Lloyd R. Weathers, and Richard C. Hager (Mobil Exploration and Producing U.S., Houston, Texas), and Richard B. Koepnick (Mobil Exploration and Producing Technical Center., Dallas, Texas).

Fee: $25 per person (includes lunch, refreshments, and course notes)

Limit: 25 persons (Students and Faculty ONLY)

This workshop is structured around the geology and development of an Edwards gas field in central Texas. An overview of the geology of the gas productive trend of the Edwards formation will be followed by an examination of Edwards core material. The core exercise will provide an opportunity to compare and contrast subsurface facies with those seen in outcrop the previous day on the AAPG Student Chapter Field Trip. The core exercise will also provide an opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of open-hole wireline logs and how they see the rock. Geophysical data are an integral part of the development of this Edwards gas field. Landmark Graphics Corporation is providing a technical consultant and a Unix workstation that will allow participants to understand the value of field-scale seismic data and to view the 3-D seismic volume currently being used in the development of the field.

NOTE: This workshop can be bought as a package with SC Field Trip #1 for only $40.

Suggested School Curriculum Enhancements

Things Schools Can Do to Successfully Prepare Geoscience Graduates for Careers

  • Vision of the future is to move toward better rounded 'geoscientists.' Try to ensure that geological graduates at least have exposure to geophysics and vice versa.

  • Try to ensure that MS/Ph.D. thesis topics are 'marketable.' A graduate who has spent two to five years researching a key geoscience skill area has a leg up on the equivalent quality candidate who has studied mining or planetary physics, as an example.

  • The skills tracked are five "critical", six "important", and nine "specialist" geoscience skills that are important to business. They are:

Critical Skills
3-D seismic interpretation
Structural geology
Seismic stratigraphy
Reservoir modeling
Sequence stratigraphy
Important Skills
Regional geology
Play assessment
Prospect assessment
Reservoir Geology
Seismic mapping/modeling
Specialist Skills
Geophysics: operations
Geophysics: processing
Geophysics: applications
Gravity/magnetics
Geology: operations

The more the curriculum overlaps with these skill areas, the more interested companies will be in graduates of that program.

  • lnternships and Coops are an important way for the company to evaluate students for future regular employment. Additionally, these experiences provide marketable skills to the student and help them to determine their interest level in the industry and company.

  • Computer skills for geoscientists are critical given the vast array of workstation and PC-based tools for geologists and geophysicists. For the workstation, knowledge of UNIX is very valuable for graduate geoscientists.

  • Interfaces between various disciplines are growing in importance. Given the trend to more production effort as oil and gas fields mature, the interface between geoscientists and production geologists and reservoir engineers is becoming more important. The geoscientist/software engineering interface is becoming important as well.



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