In April, Fort Worth saddled up to celebrate a century of geological discovery at the AAPG Southwest Section’s annual convention. The historic city swelled with geologists, energy professionals and students to pay tribute not only to the Fort Worth Geological Society’s 100-year enduring legacy, but also to the technological marvels that shaped North Texas and beyond. With a spirited Western theme that echoed the rugged roots of Texas exploration, the event blended tradition with progress and vision. Attendees donned boots and pearl snaps as they explored historical banners and colorful exhibits and listened intently to a powerhouse technical lineup.
Inspiring Students
Community outreach remains a central pillar of the Southwest Section’s mission, spotlighted by impactful teacher workshops and dynamic student programming during this year’s convention.
The Earth Science and Energy Workshop, held at the TotalEnergies Barnett facility, brought a boots-on-the-ground perspective to the classroom for K–12 STEM educators. Led by the University of Texas Outreach Department, the event offered high-caliber instruction alongside hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies, such as solar panel-covered parking structures and advanced gas collection systems. We tip our hats to TotalEnergies and BKV Corporation for sponsoring and hosting this transformative experience at their innovative field office near downtown Fort Worth.
Students played a vital role throughout the program, bringing fresh energy and curiosity to every corner of the event. Their research was proudly showcased and the registration icebreaker featured a student networking event aimed at facilitating meaningful connections. Each student was paired with several mentors to foster interactions beyond their academic circles – many experiencing their first introduction to the oil and gas industry.
“As a student attending an (oil and gas) event for the first time, it was wonderful,” one student shared. “I met so many professionals and got so much valuable feedback that made me strongly further consider a career in the oil and gas industry. The event also helped debunk many myths I’ve been told about O&G and understand the industry better.”
Our passionate mentor community eagerly supported students, encouraging their academic growth and professional development. When asked for feedback on the mentorship program, one mentor shared, “The AAPG SWS event successfully fostered connections between industry professionals and students, enabling students to expand their networks while allowing professionals to engage with fresh perspectives and exciting research. Sharing expertise and feedback when experiences aligned was mutually beneficial.”
It’s clear that with limited exposure to the industry on most campuses, opportunities like these are worth their weight in gold. Student volunteers also rolled up their sleeves to support the event’s success, handling logistics and infusing the convention with their enthusiasm and can-do spirit.
Field Trips
Weekend field trips brought a spirit of adventure and discovery to the program, giving participants a chance to stretch their legs and dig into the geology of North Texas. One excursion explored Cretaceous-aged outcrops across the Dallas-Fort Worth region, with participants trekking through stratigraphic successions from the Paluxy Formation in West Fort Worth to the Austin Chalk in Dallas. Led by faculty from Texas Christian University and the University of Texas at Dallas, the hikes offered a rich blend of geologic insight and trail-side camaraderie. Another trip took attendees to the TCU Core Lab, where experts walked them through a wide array of cores – Woodbine, Shannon, Wilcox, Barnett Shale and more – following a visit to the Fort Worth Oil Information Library.
Convention Content
The convention opened on Monday with a full-day short course led by Andrew Pepper of T!PS, LLC: “Discovery Thinking in the Onshore through the Offshore: Petroleum Systems of the Gulf of Mexico Mega-Basins.”
Attendees earned Continuing Education credit while diving deep into the geologic elements essential to revitalizing legacy basins. It was followed by a heartfelt icebreaker tribute honoring two legends of the oilfield recently lost: Bob Gunn and Gregg Norman, alongside a student mentorship and networking event.
Attendees filled the historic Fort Worth Club’s elegant space, which radiated Western sophistication and oilfield grandeur. Setting the tone for the evening, Wesley Hanna – a local petroleum engineer who moonlights as a country music artist – took the stage, weaving together the grit of the oil patch with the soul of Texas country.
The energy of the evening refocused the next morning into a buzz of anticipation as the technical sessions kicked off with a superstar lineup keynote panel. Moderated by Nikki Morris, former vice president of geology and geophysics at Total E&P Barnett and the current executive director of the TCU Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, the panel was made up of Larry Brogdon of Four Sevens Oil, Andrée Griffin of XTO, Rebecca Harrington of BKV and Gideon Powell of Cholla Inc. The packed house was captivated by stories of early failures and unlikely successes. The group walked through early urban development pitfalls and heralded the ingenuity of industry service companies who quickly adapted technologies to increase efficiencies on a scale that was unheard of at the time. The panel left attendees optimistic about the Barnett’s future, as Harrington shared about how BKV Energy is breathing new life into the play through modern techniques like re-frac’ing and CO₂ sequestration. The session concluded with thoughtful remarks from Gideon Powell, CEO of Cholla Inc. and title sponsor of the convention, who reflected on his company’s longstanding tradition of innovation and exploration.
Lorena Moscardelli, newly appointed director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and state geologist of Texas, delivered a compelling keynote address on emerging energy trends in the Permian Basin. Her talk set the tone for a strong lineup of technical sessions focused on the Fort Worth Basin, Barnett Shale and Eastern Shelf.
The final day kicked off with a standout presentation by Sean Kimiagar, who elucidated upon the evolving landscape of U.S. energy. His talk paved the way for sessions spotlighting the Permian and Mid-Continent regions, along with fast-moving technologies, including a particularly well-received series on the application of AI in geoscience.
Chosen for their ability to share wisdom and wit through humor and down-home charm, lunch speakers delivered talks that were both engaging and insightful. Nowell Donovan, emeritus professor at TCU, captivated the audience with reflections on career-defining “Aha” moments, tying scientific discovery to personal journeys. Rick Fritz, former AAPG president and current executive director of the AAPG Foundation, followed with “Energy at the Crossroads,” offering a forward-looking take on the future of energy development. Opening remarks by AAPG President Deborah Sacrey and President-Elect Brian Horn helped connect local efforts to the broader national conversation.
As the sun dipped low over the rolling hills of Fort Worth, attendees traded technical notes for highballs and hops at the unforgettable social event planned by Jason and Niki Berry and held at the stunning TX Whiskey Ranch. With panoramic views, handcrafted cocktails and a crowd that packed the house, the evening was a perfect blend of Texas charm and geological conviviality.
Guests could take VIP tours and tasting experiences that showcased the artistry behind TX Whiskey’s signature spirits or buy swag at the gift shop. But the real excitement came from the sponsor scavenger hunt – a particularly well-loved highlight of the night. Each attendee received a card featuring sponsor logos, and the mission was clear: seek out each sponsor, collect their unique stamp and earn extra raffle tickets along the way. The hunt turned networking into a game, with sponsors stationed at lively activity zones that included ping pong, a chipping contest and a whiskey-barrel putting challenge. It was a spirited way to connect, compete and celebrate the community that keeps the North Texas energy scene thriving.
A Lasting Mark
From outreach to innovation, the convention embodied the Southwest Section’s dedication to education, exploration, and community building, laying a strong foundation for the future of geoscience. As the dust settles on an unforgettable gathering, it’s clear that this year’s program left a lasting mark – on students, professionals and the broader geoscience community alike. The blend of cutting-edge science, regional insight, and good old-fashioned hospitality reminded us why Fort Worth is such a fitting backdrop for this kind of exchange. We (AAPG Southwest Section President René Wiksveen and Convention Chair Trey Cortez) would like to give a hearty salute to all who contributed. Speakers, sponsors, volunteers and attendees made this event more than just a success. They contributed to a celebration of curiosity, collaboration and the enduring spirit of exploration.