Explorer President’s Column

Controversy can be a good thing, and sometimes, the more contentious things are, the better. Many great examples of this were discussed in my first geologic graduate course, the subject of which was “The History of the Science of Geology.” It was the controversy and debate itself that provided the greatest contribution to the science of geology – not the theories. Why is it important to recognize that controversy can be a good thing – important for AAPG and a good subject for my column in the EXPLORER? The answer is that controversy can also lead to the growth and improvement of a scientific society.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Geophysical Corner

Some aspects of seismic interpretation, such as picking horizons and well-imaged faults, can be easily explained to a new interpreter. Other aspects, such as recognizing carbonate buildups, karst collapse, mass transport processes or volcanic intrusions, require not only an understanding of the underlying geologic processes, but also an understanding of their 3-D seismic data response. Although an experienced interpreter might be adept in using seismic data to map each of these features, they might also be challenged in explaining to the novice interpreter in a quantitative manner how they constructed their map or geobody.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

This year’s International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy, beginning August 28 in Houston, doesn’t have a single, overarching theme. But one concept keeps popping up again and again: Innovation. AAPG and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, in conjunction with SEPM, are hosts for the second annual IMAGE meeting. It’s designed as a broad-interest event, with 30 key topic areas ranging – alphabetically – from acquisition and survey design to structure, tectonics and geomechanics. As an AAPG/SEG-sponsored event, IMAGE will include several sessions related to geological analysis, imaging and interpretation.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

“It suggests that someone somewhere is reading my work,” said John C. Lorenz, this year’s winner of the Sidney Powers Memorial Award, not being entirely serious about why he is receiving the highest award from AAPG, given in recognition of distinguished and outstanding contributions to or achievements in petroleum geology. Truthfully, though, more than just a few have read Lorenz’s work. More importantly, more than just a few have been affected by it.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

What makes John Dvorak’s “How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America” so special? Dvorak “connects the dots,” so to speak, between places of geologic wonder many geoscientists already know. The book provides context to well-known outcrops and fundamental geologic processes. There is still a lot to learn for those who have studied geology for many years.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Foundation Update

Toshimi Fujikawa, a geology teacher in San Lorenzo, Calif., who has been praised by her peers for passionately helping students to discover knowledge and relevance in the geological world where they live, has been named the 2022 AAPG Foundation’s Teacher of the Year.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer President’s Column

AAPG has had to pull money out of our rainy day investment portfolio to cover our operational cash shortfalls. The COVID pandemic accelerated the need to use money from our rainy day fund, and emergencies like the pandemic are exactly what the investment fund was set up to cover. The problem is that we had operational budget shortfalls for several years before the pandemic, even while the oil and gas industry was financially strong due to the horizontal drilling financial boom cycle.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

Global events of recent years have driven the oil and gas industry to make major changes to its workforce and operations, and the professional and scientific associations that serve the industry have had to evolve and adapt to accommodate those changes, particularly with regard to the programs they offer. The Imperial Barrel Award competition is no exception. An AAPG staple since 2007 and one of the Association’s most prestigious and visible programs, the IBA has undergone multiple changes during the past two years.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer President’s Column

Like many people, I take inspiration from music to motivate me during workouts, soothe me while traveling and generally improve my mood. As my term as AAPG president concludes, “Lake Shore Drive” by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah reminds me that I will have more time for visiting my beloved daughter in Chicago. It also reminds me of the joy of Ferris Bueller – in his best friend’s father’s red Ferrari – escaping the frustration of a sunny day stuck in a classroom.

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

After the past year as president of the Division of Environmental Geosciences, my three big takeaways are that the world needs energy, all forms of energy are in transition, and geoscientists are needed to explore for and develop energy – now and in the future. In every future energy scenario, oil and gas will be needed for decades at various levels to contribute to the global energy mix.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Hot Items

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 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

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