On behalf of the Athens 2007 Organizing Committee we want to personally invite all AAPG members to join us for the unique occasion of this year’s European Region Energy Conference and Exhibition-- the first joint venture between AAPG and the AAPG European Region.
The conference, built on the theme “Challenge Our Myths,” will be held Nov. 17-20 in Athens, Greece, and it promises to be an inviting combination of excellent technical sessions from the Circum-Mediterranean -- and well beyond -- and uniquely Greek social activities.
Thanks to our sponsors -- including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, TGS-NOPEC, PGS, Hellenic Petroleum, SAGEX and Concedo, all of which have given valuable, early support -- a fantastic exhibition is planned in the beautiful, white marble Megaron International Conference Centre in the heart of Athens.
Challenging Our Myths
Our theme “Challenge Our Myths” sets the stage for the technical program, and the session chairs and technical program committee, headed by Bjørn Wandås and Vlasta Dvorakova, are assembling a strong international program.
The theme not only reminds conference goers to question assumptions, it is an invitation to speakers and poster presenters to take risks and present challenging ideas.
For example, a session on “Untraditional Theories and Ideas in Global and Large Scale Geology” will examine the basis for the concept of subduction zones: What would be the consequences for exploration and production if this concept were just an established truth, just something we have taken for granted since we were taught at university? Could this concept be a myth?
This also is the right conference to attend for everyone seeking an update on recent exploration and production outcomes within key petroleum regions in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Middle East, Caspian, Black Sea, Russia, North Sea, Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.
What about an update on carbonate and clastic reservoirs, structural geology, heavy oil, unconventional resources, resource estimation and the energy supply and demand picture?
Could we even manage to get geologists to mingle with professionals who specialize in CO2 management? Would something valuable come out of that?
Maybe we will move from political statements to practical solutions -- from myth to new understanding.
Spotlight on Students
Many cornerstones of our society can be traced back to Greek culture, and with this meeting new milestones will undoubtedly be added in the field of geoscience.
For that reason alone, Athens is the place to be for students and young professionals, as this meeting will bring together people from industry and academia, old and young.
With direction from Student Activities Chair Rudy Swennen, the conference will allow students to acquire the latest inspiring information on future trends in geoscience and give a forum to young researchers to present their findings to a broad audience.
Apart from a students reception, there will be several events conducive to establishing contacts with many experienced geoscience-industry professionals.
And certainly, attending this conference is a must if you are looking for challenging job opportunities; the industry is now recruiting and eager to sponsor students with fresh, new perspectives.
The Spirit of Zorba
Technical sessions are just a part of a meeting’s lure; Greece’s multi-dimensional history and culture, equally matched by multi-faceted social traditions and lifestyles, make it a place to enjoy.
Greeks love to eat, drink, dance and, in general, be merry as often and as intensely as they possibly can! It is no coincidence that in the famous book “Alexis Zorbas,” written by Nikos Kazantzakis (and then the Hollywood film “Zorba the Greek”), when Zorba meets the English gentleman on a lovely sandy beach and tries to express his intense happiness, he says, “Sir, I may not be able to fully express my feelings in words, but I can certainly dance them for you!”
The Athens social program will include many diverse activities, all designed to expose modern Greece to our valued visitors and to invite all our friends to “become Greek” -- and even “Zorba” -- if only for a few days!
Join us in Athens and “feel” a different Greece from the one that casual tourists normally see. You can enjoy the classical sites and famous museums even as you sample the modern galleries and new high-tech settings.
Visit relaxing islands and interesting vineyards, sample local foods and taste exciting new wines. Walk through picturesque lanes around the Acropolis and enjoy shopping, playing golf and relaxing at a spa -- and then dance away your cares well into the late moonlit nights.
To help you, the Social Program Committee has organized several activities, including:
- Visits to classical and historical locations in and around Athens -- including the Acropolis and Agora -- as well as sites away from Athens including Cape Sounion and Delphi.
- Visits to archaeological and Byzantium museums, as well as art galleries such as the National Gallery and Vorres Gallery.
- Visits to high-tech locations at the Hellenic Centre, planetarium and Olympic Complex Centre.
- Day trips and excursions to nearby islands of Aigina and Spetses.
- Trips to vineyards and wineries in Attica.
- Food and wine tasting sessions.
- Street walks and exciting shopping sessions.
- A golf tournament and unique spa sessions.
- Dancing sessions.
So start making plans now to join us for the European Region Energy Conference and Exhibition, presented by AAPG and the AAPG European Region.