Explorer Emphasis Article
By David Brown
One of the cooler energy projects in development today addresses CO₂, methane, climate change and clean fuels, all at the same time. That’s “cooler” in the sense of using less heat, as well as being highly innovative in combining natural gas and carbon dioxide to generate fuel. The gas-to-liquids process is a research project of GTI in metropolitan Chicago, where it’s known as Cool GTL.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 December, 2020
Explorer Division Column EMD
By Ursula Hammes
By the time you are reading this I hope you have attended your first virtual AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition – ever! What a success it was, with up to 10 concurrent sessions including talks and posters. Our own Claudia Hackbarth and Mike Bingle-Davis chaired a session on the future of oil and gas and Bill Ambrose chaired one on expanding energy frontiers to Earth, the moon and Mars. A new format was offered with live presentations and interactive panels that were moderated and conducted by experts in their fields.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2020
Explorer Director’s Corner
By David Curtiss
This month I’d like to direct your attention to a project that we’re excited about: AAPG Mobile, a new mobile app for iOS and Android devices that is your digital connection to AAPG and its members with a simple tap of the screen. You can download it now from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2020
Explorer Emphasis Article
By David Brown
Do super basins have a role in sustainable development? The short answer is, Yes. Super basins can be part of a sustainable energy and environmental future for the planet. A more complex answer is: It depends on how you define “sustainable.” In the view of the oil and gas industry, sustainability has an economic component and an environmental component. Hydrocarbon-based energy is essential for a sustainable world economy in that view, and it will be for a long time to come.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2020
Explorer Emphasis Article
By David Brown
The oil and gas industry struggles with some unique challenges in working toward a sustainable future. In a way, the social aspect of those challenges comes down to two words: Prove it. Often accused of being part of the problem in sustainability and not part of the solution, the oil industry faces an unusually high burden of proof when it seeks environmental trust from the public.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2020
Explorer Director’s Corner
By David Curtiss
The geosciences play a vital role – often a foundational role – in modern society, both in the developed and developing world. No matter where you live or work, your life is affected by the complex interplay of physical, chemical and biological processes active on land, in water and in the atmosphere. In its report entitled, “Geosciences Supporting a Thriving Society in a Changing World,” issued by the American Geosciences Institute last month ahead of the U.S. election, they highlight nine critical issues facing society where the geosciences play a pivotal role.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 October, 2020
Explorer Article
By David Brown
The North Sea Rift Basin ranks as one of the world’s most famous and indefatigable super basin areas. Like a pugnacious prize fighter, it’s been counted out again and again, only to rebound and punch back into contention. While some explorers consider the North Sea province highly mature, and even late life, it continues to produce plenty of oil and gas. And discoveries.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 October, 2020
Explorer Division Column DEG
By Don Clarke
Many new scientific discoveries are reported daily by the news media. These are evaluated and discussed in detail by scientific cable shows like you see on the Smithsonian Channel. These shows mix science and pseudo-science. I’m still waiting for the Loch Ness monster to show up at the pyramids in Egypt. I ask that you critically evaluate what you hear in the news media and from special interest groups. The facts might be distorted to make it more interesting. Try to make sure the environmental person is reputable. A good scientist will challenge what is presented. The goal is to find out the truth.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 September, 2020
Explorer Emphasis Article
By Barry Friedman
“The public view of the oil industry and geoscience in general is on the low at the moment,” said Mukul R. Bhatia, executive professor and director of the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems, who added that even some who want to enter the industry have this view. “Enrollment in the geosciences and petroleum engineering courses has declined in most education institutes. The oil and gas development industry is seen as shrinking rather than growing,” he said. Bhatia, a Dan A. Hughes ’51 chair at Texas A&M University, said the challenge of attracting students back to the geosciences is compounded by the challenge of attracting them to the industry’s new frontier, both internally and externally.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 September, 2020
Explorer Article
By Emily Llinás
AAPG’s Latin America and Caribbean Region started 2020 with a strong lineup of technical and business events. The year 2020 was the year of promise. The Hedberg Conference went well in February, but one of the participants from China canceled travel plans because of a coronavirus outbreak in the country. One month later, the world turned upside down. Countries closed their borders, companies sent workers home, and sponsors canceled support. In-person conferences were not just risky but prohibited in most cases. It was time to go back to the drawing board.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 August, 2020