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29 Apr

2nd Edition: Geological Process-Based Forward Modeling AAPG Call For Abstracts Expires in 11 days

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Visiting Geoscientist Special Interest Group (SIG)

Energy Policy Blog By Edith Allison

Field Experiments for Methane Production from Hydrates

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) methane-hydrate program is making a giant leap forward in 2015 with a new field test. But, why should we care about methane hydrates? First, the world will continue to depend on fossil fuels well past 2040 and natural gas is the cleanest option. Second, some countries that do not have sufficient indigenous energy have potentially large methane hydrate resources. Finally, methane hydrates occur in low concentrations over vast areas of the seafloor and shallow subsea sediments around the world, including the Arctic. If these areas warm, the hydrates could dissociate, releasing methane.

Added on 13 February, 2015

Explorer Policy Watch By Edith Allison

Policymakers Mull Increased Arctic Interest

Commercial interest in the Arctic has grown with declines in summer sea ice cover – since 2007 the extent of Arctic sea ice has been significantly less than it was in the decade after satellite measurements started in 1978.

Added on 01 February, 2015

Explorer Historical Highlights By Tako Koning

Going Deeper: Blue H-28 Was a Whale of a Tale

The well drilled in the Gander Block was called “Blue” after the world’s largest mammal, the blue whale, since it was going to be drilled on one of the world’s largest prospects. In mid-1979 Blue H-28 spudded in 4,876 feet (1,486 meters) of water and was drilled problem-free to a drill depth of 20,023 feet (6,103 meters).

Added on 01 February, 2015

Energy Policy Blog By Colleen Newman

What Regulatory Activities are Expected this Year for the Oil and Gas Industry?

As 2015 begins, the oil and gas industry is preparing itself for a plethora of regulatory activities.

Added on 29 January, 2015

Energy Policy Blog By Edith Allison

From Whose North Pole is Santa Coming?

Russia, Denmark (through Greenland) and Canada all claim that their territories extend to the North Pole. This is despite the fact that the Pole is well over 400 miles from the shores of any Arctic country. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Treaty provides a mechanism for recognizing national territorial claims beyond the traditional 200-nautical-mile limit if a country’s continental shelf extends further. The United States is not a party to the Convention so it will not be staking a claim.

Added on 17 December, 2014

Energy Policy Blog By Edith Allison

Arctic Oil and Gas Production and Potential

Arctic exploration and production is heating up: Shell plans to resume drilling in the arctic offshore Alaska in 2015, and in the spring of 2015 the U.S. is assuming the leadership of the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum created to address the concerns to Arctic nations and the region’s indigenous peoples. Undiscovered Arctic oil and gas resources are huge, as are producing onshore fields. There are only a few producing fields in the offshore arctic, but that number could expand with planned drilling offshore Russia and Alaska.

Added on 07 October, 2014

Learn! Blog By Susan Nash

Latitudinal Controls on Stratigraphic Models and Sedimentary Concepts

This conference will provide an opportunity for attendees to share knowledge and identify differences in depositional processes, define how variability affects play elements, and define differences in stratigraphic models and sedimentary concepts.

Added on 22 July, 2014

Explorer Historical Highlights By Ross Coen

Alaska: Early Frustrations Led to Later Success

The history of oil development in Alaska is often presented as a heroic tale, but long before the 1968 discovery of the Prudhoe Bay field (16 billion barrels and counting), the industry experience was marked by a great deal of frustration and failure.

Added on 01 June, 2014

Energy Policy Blog By Edith Allison

National Academies: US Inadequately Prepared for an Arctic Oil Spill

As Arctic ice thins and retreats, growing commercial access–from cruise ships to oil and gas drilling–will increase the risk of an oil spill. A recent National Research Council report found that resources, technology, research, manpower, funding and logistics are inadequate to respond to an Arctic oil spill.

Added on 30 April, 2014