India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer and one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with several international oil companies having recently announced plans to relocate technical jobs to the country.

While AAPG has had a longtime presence, the Association has been underrepresented in the country.

That’s all about to change.

In January, a delegation from AAPG traveled to Goa, India, for India Energy Week 2026. AAPG President Brian Horn, Vice President-Regions Maria Mutti, and Executive Director Tom Wilker met with senior leaders across the nation’s energy sector.

Both Wilker and Horn have work histories in India and so have brought their expertise to bear in developing a strategic plan to grow AAPG’s presence in the country. The Association currently has 662 members in India, but the goal is to grow that to at least 1,000 by 2030. To that end, the delegation met with industry executives, government representatives and academic leaders to communicate and collaborate regarding the global benefits of AAPG membership and how to localize those benefits for India’s geoscience and professional needs.

Key Outcomes

The discussions during India Energy Week revolved around several specific strategic initiatives:

  • Formation of an Advisory Council for AAPG India to guide initiatives, ensure inclusive representation, and provide strategic direction for long-term impact.
  • Signing a memorandum of understanding with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons to formalize collaboration and strengthen AAPG’s institutional role in India’s energy landscape.
  • A membership drive to expand AAPG’s network in India and engage geoscientists across industry, academia, and government.
  • Student and professional engagement by developing plans to execute multiple activities through AAPG India, including workshops, technical sessions, and outreach programs to inspire and support the next generation of geoscientists.

Collective Commitment

The engagements provided fresh perspectives and reinforced the importance of collaboration between global geoscience organizations and India’s energy community. Industry leaders across the country offered their insights and support, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing geoscience and ensuring its role in addressing the challenges of the energy transition. While India Energy Week provided the setting, the true highlight was the constructive dialogue and shared vision that emerged from AAPG’s interactions. These efforts have created strong momentum for building AAPG’s activities in India, ensuring that the organization can play a vital role in shaping the future of geoscience in the region.

AAPG expresses its gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to these discussions and looks forward to continued collaboration. This marked a significant milestone in advancing AAPG’s mission to re-establish activities in India and support the growth of geoscience in alignment with national energy priorities.