The AAPG isn’t just an association. We are the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. We are a scientific society that encompasses all aspects of subsurface geological research and a professional society that includes our divisions, committees, our AAPG Foundation and other nodes of our community. All of these elements, together with our history, make us more than an ordinary association or society. We are a legacy.
The AAPG’s power comes from its members.
The Sum Requires Its Parts
People can build global models, develop enormous databases and apply increasingly sophisticated technology, but eventually, somebody has to understand the rocks. We must understand the foundational processes of all the basic geologic disciplines before utilizing technology properly and unlocking prosperity from the subsurface.
We are a global force, but our origin stories begin in our region or section.
The geologic processes that formed the Gulf Coast are not the same as the Williston Basin. The Permian is different from Appalachia. The Rockies, California, Alaska and the Midcontinent all present different problems, and different opportunities. Each section contains local geologists with years or sometimes generations of accumulated knowledge. The same is true for our larger area international regions.
That is why our AAPG section and regional conferences remain so important.
AAPG’s smaller conferences put us close to the rocks and close to the geologists who know them best. These meetings might not always be the largest events on the calendar, but that can be one of their greatest strengths. You can sit down and argue about an interpretation, look at a new completion result, hear about an overlooked field or formation and leave knowing something you didn’t know when you arrived.
There is tremendous value in that.
I strongly encourage our members to support all of the AAPG section and region conferences, not just their own. Attend as many of them this year as you can. Submit a paper. Bring a young geologist. Volunteer. Sponsor something if your company has the ability. Take a field trip. Ask questions. Stay for the social event and meet somebody you didn’t know before.
The first section conference on the schedule this year is the Southwest Section conference in Midland, Texas – the heart of the Permian basin, which will be held Sept. 12-16 at the Bush Convention Center. They will be joining the West Texas Geological Society to celebrate their 100th anniversary, and that celebration will include a unique core exhibit, featuring cores related to several original discoveries that launched the Permian into history books as one of the most prolific oil and gas basins in the world. (See the article “Celebrating 100 Years of the Permian Basin” in last month’s Explorer for full details of the conference and the core exhibit.)
Also, consider attending the 7th Biennial AAPG Mid-Continent Section Field Conference, hosted by Oklahoma State University Oct. 2-4, which will be on “Geoscience Integration of Hydrology and Petroleum Geology Along the Seminole-Cushing Ridge and the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, Eastern and Southern Oklahoma.”
Our Divisions Are Special
AAPG’s divisions give specialists the freedom to go deeper into subjects that might sit outside the traditional boundaries of petroleum exploration while remaining firmly rooted in subsurface geoscience. The Energy Minerals Division, the Division of Environmental Geoscience, the Petroleum Structure and Geomechanics Division, and the expanding applications of the subsurface are increasingly connected. We also have the Division of Professional Affairs to assist in navigating a career as a professional geologist.
The divisions alone are our proof we do a lot more than petroleum. We embrace the requirements of an expanding energy future, and we have the experts to provide all materials, processes and ideas to keep our global communities lavishly supplied with everything they might need to keep striving toward prosperity and freedom.
The fields of critical minerals, geothermal energy, hydrogen, carbon storage, water, induced seismicity and emerging energy technologies all require people who understand rocks, fluids, structures, pressure, temperature and time. The AAPG has these experts.
Our divisions should be communities among whom new ideas can move quickly. They can cross traditional boundaries, bring specialists together and challenge the rest of us to think differently. I want our divisions to be visible, active and ambitious. I want them to participate in conferences, develop young professionals, build technical programs and create interesting connections.
AAPG members create innovations and ideas that we can export. Wherever countries enjoy advantages for one reason or another, the successes they create come with a price. Like Thomas Sowell said: “There are no solutions, only trade-offs.” We must realize that we also export all the problems that come with our great innovations.
This is why we have our divisions: we must export the solutions to the issues that come with drilling even successful wells and discovering giant fields. AAPG members are solving these problems.
The World Needs AAPG
The world’s appetite for resources is not shrinking. We need energy. We need critical minerals. We need water. We need better understanding of the subsurface for infrastructure, storage and environmental work. Every one of those challenges becomes easier when talented geoscientists are encouraged to explore ideas rather than simply accept existing assumptions.
AAPG has a role in creating that environment.
Our sections and regions keep us connected to the basins and communities where discoveries happen.
Our divisions give specialists room to push into new areas and connect disciplines.
Trade ideas. Get involved. Share. Be great.
The AAPG has done more to spread safety, prosperity and freedom than any other geological association. We are the premier geoscience association, have been for a long time, and now we’re getting even better.
IMAGE was amazing – the best one so far. The technical sessions, the events, the meetings, the exhibition floor, all the exhibitors and sponsors. It was a top-notch experience for all who attended, no doubt. IMAGE is the best conference for the geosciences in the world.
Thanks to my Executive Committee and the AAPG staff.
This event was great, but I want to believe it can be even better. We need more great geologists to submit more abstracts. I know it’s a tough time to get to Houston, for a few reasons. But do me a favor and make the effort anyway. This year was special. I think industry might be back, headed toward more exploration and more innovation. The AAPG is being built back to where we were, and beyond. This was a great public debut for the new EC who just took office last month. We have accomplished a lot this year already, even with IMAGE looming over us. The volunteers, so many great geologists, and my friends always show up to do the work. I’m so proud of all of you! I want to encourage everyone to get involved.
Locally, or at the national level, we could use some more hands, for sure. Step up and run for leadership roles. Right now is a great time to make a significant impact. There are great positive people at all levels. The AAPG and its volunteerism will live on long after we are gone.