Explorer Policy Watch

The long-term projections have changed little in the year since this column last reported on the annual International Energy Agency (IEA) “World Energy Outlook,” but the tone is much different. Last year’s report was concerned about finding the investments to meet demand; now the world has surpluses of oil and gas and a booming renewables industry.  

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Division Column DPA

In the interest of continuing my theme of “Spreading the Word” about AAPG’s Division of Professional Affairs, here’s an update on some exciting events organized by DPA members for the spring of 2016. Many of you may be familiar with the Playmaker concept, as we have previously held five very successful events.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

Since shale plays began revolutionizing the oil and gas industry, North America has been the dominant continent in making them successful. But a strong contender some 5,000 miles south of the U.S. border is beginning to turn heads.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

While many are working to forecast when the price of oil might reach $80 a barrel again, renowned international strategist and geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan, the author of “The Accidental Superpower,” predicts in stunning detail the rising and declining energy plays of 2025 and the countries that will ultimately triumph as the world’s leading producers.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Policy Watch

For over two years Congress has complained about delays in the government permitting process for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, and several bills were introduced to accelerate the processing of natural gas export applications.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

The shale boom has propelled the United States oil and gas industry to a leading position, not just in production, but also in navigating the perilous waters of public opinion.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Division Column EMD

Natural gas hydrate (NGH), a crystalline compound of water and natural gas, has been recognized as a vast potential energy resource for over two decades, but its commerciality has persistently remained beyond the horizon due to technical and economic hurdles.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

While exploration has slowed in many parts of the world in response to the industry’s lagging downturn, India is moving full steam ahead to encourage exploration and production on a domestic and international scale.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

Utah-based professional geologist and AAPG member Gary Player is the inventor and owner of a patent-pending process for extracting commercial quantities of dissolved natural gas from ground water existing in deep, saline aquifers.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

There's long been much ado about the ongoing loss of coastal wetlands in south Louisiana. Not surprisingly, many fingers point to the oil and gas industry with its several thousand linear miles of pipelines in the region.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Hot Items

Explorer Historical Highlights

The Paris Basin offers times of both discoveries and failures, from its first well drilled near Normandy in the 1920s to today. 

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

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

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

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

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Director’s Corner

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.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Headquarters Contacts

Susan Nash
Susan Nash Director, Innovation and Emerging Science and Technology, AAPG +1 405 314 7730