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Explorer Article By Emily Llinás

Geoscientists and industry leaders throughout the world are preparing for the International Conference and Exhibition Cartagena 2022, AAPG’s flagship international event taking place in Cartagena, Colombia, April 19-22. Held for the last time in Buenos Aires in August 2019, ICE returns to Latin America after a three-year break imposed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Article By Emily Llinás

Colombia is Open for Business

For Colombia’s National Hydrocarbon Agency and national oil company Ecopetrol, now is the perfect time to seek opportunities in a country providing diverse geological potential, a prepared workforce and contractual stability. They believe that Colombia is that country, and they are prepared to make their case as principal sponsors and hosts of AAPG’s International Conference and Exhibition taking place in Cartagena April 19-22.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Article By David Brown

The Ukrainian Oil Upset

Russia’s military action against Ukraine forced the Western world to face some hard truths about that country’s powerful position in world energy markets. In Europe, the invasion produced worry about possible disruptions in vital energy imports. In the United States, it led to calls for a stronger American oil and gas sector with increased government support. Beyond the volatile up-and-down swings in energy prices immediately following the onset of the Ukraine war, concerns emerged that the incursion could have an unbalancing effect on world markets for years to come.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer President’s Column By Gretchen Gillis

Taking an Introspective Turn

Listening to “Simple Song” as I write prompted me to think about choosing to go it alone. As we know, geologists do not go it alone – we engage in a vibrant and diverse community and across disciplines to solve many of the world’s biggest problems, starting with water and energy and extending into topics like mineral resources and natural hazards. AAPG is a pillar of the geoscience community and its members engage with geoscientists, engineers and other energy professional internationally. AAPG members are rightfully proud of the vital work we do.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Article By Charles Sternbach,John Casiano,Kristie Luchtel-Ferguson,William DeMis

Beware the False Promise of Low-Density Energy Machines

The energy transition has been getting so much press that a hypothetical visitor from Mars could be forgiven for believing it will be completed “by next Tuesday.” Some universities and organizations are dropping any mention of petroleum in the interest of appearing forward-looking. We see this as timely folly based on a lack of historical perspective. History shows that energy transitions are lengthy and complicated. They never follow a prescribed path; they wander down dead-ends and evolve with pragmatic solutions unforeseen today.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Emphasis Article By Bongani Sayidini,David Van Der Spuy

Offshore Namibia Discovery Signals Bright Future for South Africa Oil and Gas

Shell has made a significant oil and gas discovery at the Graff-1 well offshore Namibia. The well results have so far shown at least two reservoirs in the Upper Cretaceous, with a light oil column reported in the Santonian, in high quality channel sands. This discovery is in the deep water of the southernmost sector of the Orange Basin offshore Namibia.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Emphasis Article By David Brown

Asia’s Growing Demand for Gas Drives Offshore Projects

Asia’s increased appetite for natural gas ranks as one of the most important global energy stories of the past 10 years, and one of the most often overlooked. It appears likely to drive Asian exploration and energy trading for the near future.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Article By Heather Saucier

New Hydrogen Tech Offers New Path for Clean Energy

As the United States looks for ways to decarbonize its energy sources, some believe the nation’s abundant gas reserves – estimated at 495 trillion cubic feet in 2019 by the U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Proved Reserves – can play an important role. Using the steam methane reforming process, the numerous petrochemical plants along the Gulf Coast are the No. 1 producers of hydrogen in the nation. Because this hydrogen is produced with a CO2 byproduct, it is not considered a clean energy. However, by integrating carbon capture, utilization and storage into the SMR process, a clean form of hydrogen could be produced and used for process heating, in gas turbines that generate electricity, in shipping vessels and in the petrochemicals industry.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Article By Jhonny Casas

Angelo Pitoni, a Real-Life 'Indiana Jones' in Venezuelan Territory

Adventure enthusiasts should enjoy the story of Angelo Pitoni, a larger- than-life geologist whose story includes exploits rivaling any of those portrayed on the big screen. This article focuses specifically on a chapter of his life that took place in my country, Venezuela, and forms part of our country’s oil exploration history.

Added on 01 March, 2022

Explorer Article By Emily Llinás

Tradition and Technology

Colombia’s indigenous U’wa community is rooted in tradition, and community members follow ancient ancestral customs, including living without electricity. Life changed for U ́was living near El Chuscal, Guandalay, in Northeast Colombia in November 2021, when a project developed by the University of Pamplona geoscience students brought electricity to their community for the first time.

Added on 01 March, 2022

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Explorer Director’s Corner By David Curtiss

Introducing the New EXPLORER, New Digital Newsletters

Perhaps you did a double take pulling the April issue of EXPLORER from the mailbox. What is this? If you joined AAPG in the last 40 years, you’ve only known EXPLORER in its long-standing tabloid format. It worked well for many years as our advertisers – particularly seismic companies – loved the large format and the ability to display their data on a sweeping canvas. For readers, it was a little more awkward.

Added on 01 April, 2024

Explorer Article By David Brown

What Will it Take to Get CCUS Ready for Prime Time?

Nihal Darraj, carbon capture and storage researcher at Imperial College, London shares barriers to CCUS commercialization, including costs, technology, permitting and more.

Added on 01 March, 2024

Explorer Article By Barry Friedman

How the U Adds Value in CCUS

Carbon capture and sequestration reduces emissions, but it cannot work past cost barriers without the revenue opportunities provided by utilization and storage.

Added on 01 March, 2024