Candidate for Editor (2022-25)

John A.
John A. Breyer
Consulting Geologist
John A. Breyer LLC

 

 

Join AAPG Executive Director David Curtiss for a roundtable discussion with elected editor candidates John Breyer and Matt Pranter about challenges and priorities in geoscience publishing, emerging trends in the publishing technology, AAPG’s relevance in today’s fast-changing energy arena, and much more.

62822 Added on

I accepted the invitation to be a candidate for editor of the Bulletin out of a sense of duty and obligation to AAPG. For over 40 years AAPG has provided me with opportunities, outlets, venues and a network of contacts that enabled me to grow and mature as a petroleum geologist. I suspect this is true for most everyone reading these campaign materials. I have the time, energy, expertise and experience necessary to do the job.

Here are my thoughts on being considered for editor of the Bulletin:

  • The AAPG Bulletin is a first-class scientific journal and the premier outlet in the world for articles on petroleum geology. However, it is not a typical scientific journal. Academics who must publish are the main contributors to and readers of most scientific journals. College professors and scientists in government labs do contribute to and read the Bulletin, but it is written mainly by and for geologists working in the petroleum industry. Because of time constraints and the proprietary nature of their work, most of its readers may not have the opportunity to publish a scientific article in their career other than their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. To be of service to the most AAPG members, the Bulletin must publish articles on both basic and applied research in petroleum geology. The Bulletin should provide information that will help its readers find and develop petroleum resources.
  • To maintain the quality of the Bulletin in the future will require the continued dedicated efforts of authors, editors and reviewers. Authors readily seek to publish in the Bulletin. However, to maintain the right mix of articles in the Bulletin, the editor also must reach out to authors. Given the evolving nature of the petroleum business, I believe more articles on operations and development geology are needed, as are collaborations with our engineering colleagues. The elected editor will need to importune potential authors of such articles to submit manuscripts to the Bulletin.
  • The editor also must select and work with associate editors who have both the experience and expertise to evaluate the scientific content of manuscripts submitted to the Bulletin and the contacts to identify and recruit appropriate reviewers. Fair and rigorous reviews are the sine qua non of any scientific journal. The editor has the final responsibility for assessing whether or not a manuscript warrants publication in the Bulletin.

The editor’s decisions will impact the scientific standing of the Bulletin, and also the careers and reputations of the authors, associate editors and reviewers involved in the process. I am sure that no incoming editor – whatever their previous experience – is fully aware of the varied demands of the position. It is not a job to be taken lightly or without considerable forethought. I am willing to serve, and if elected I will do everything I can to maintain and improve the quality and reputation of the Bulletin.

Academic Degrees

  • 1974 – Ph.D., Geology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
  • 1970 – B.A., Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Experience

  • 2019-Present – Consulting Geologist, John A. Breyer LLC
  • 2011-18 – Senior Technical Consultant (retired), Marathon Oil
  • 1984-2011 – Texas Christian University
    • 2012-Present – Emeritus Professor of Geology
    • 1987-2011 – Professor of Geology
    • 1984-87 – Associate Professor of Geology
  • 1981-84 – Exxon Production Research Co.
    • 1984 – Research Specialist
    • 1982 – Senior Research Geologist
    • 1981 – Research Geologist
  • 1975-81 – Texas Christian University
    • 1980-81 – Associate Professor of Geology
    • 1975-80 – Assistant Professor of Geology
    • 1974-75 – Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska

 

AAPG Activities

  • Joined AAPG 1982
  • 2021 – Senior Associate Editor, AAPG Bulletin
  • 2021 – Co-Editor, AAPG Bulletin Special Issue, Carrier Bed Reservoirs
  • 2016 – Editor, AAPG Memoir 110: “The Eagle Ford Shale – A Renaissance in U.S. Oil Production”
  • 2014-17 – Organizing Committee, Applied Geoscience Conference, Houston
  • 2012 – Editor, AAPG Memoir 97: “Shale Reservoirs – Giant Resources for the 21st Century”
  • 2008-11 – Continuing Edition Committee, AAPG Southwest Section
  • 1978 – President, Fort Worth Geological Society
  • 1977 – Program Chairman, Fort Worth Geological Society

AAPG Honors & Awards

  • 2017 – President’s Award, Houston Geological Society
  • 2014 – Robert H. Dott Sr. Memorial Award, AAPG
  • 1991 – Elected Fellow of the Geological Society of America
  • 1990 – Honorable Mention, Best Paper Award-Coal Geology Division, GSA
  • 1984 – EMD Best Paper Award, AAPG
  • Honors and Awards from Texas Christian University
  • 2011, 2009 – Inclusiveness & Intercultural Services Faculty Appreciation Award
  • Mortar Board “Preferred Professor” (2011, 2004, 1999, 1992, 1982)
  • 2011 – Cultural, Community and International Services MVP Award
  • 2010, 2007 – Distinguished Achievement Award, College of Science and Engineering
  • 2005 – Outstanding Educator Award, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies
  • 2004 – Wassenich Award for Mentoring
  • 2003 – Faculty Recognition Award, Campus Life and Alpha Phi Alpha Inc.
  • 2002 – Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Science and Engineering
  • 2000 – Conference USA Excellence Award
  • 1999 – Faculty Recognition Award, Minority Affairs Program
  • 1998 – Faculty Recognition Award, Honors Program
  • 1994 – Elizabeth Youngblood Proffer Award
  • 1990 – Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award

 

  • 66 total publications, including AAPG Bulletin (6), AAPG Memoirs (8), GCAGS Transactions (9), GSA Bulletin and Geology (5), SEPM (JSR, JSP, JP) (11), other (27)
  • 85 presentations with published abstracts: AAPG annual meeting (10), AAPG Section meetings (7), AAPG geotechnical workshops, etc., (7), GCAGS annual meeting (10), GSA (national and sectional) (30), other, including SEPM (21)

Other Candidate

General Info

Candidates for AAPG office have been given the opportunity to respond briefly to the subject: "Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office."

Their responses and biographical information were provided by each candidate and edited only for grammar, spelling and format.

This information will also be provided as hard-copy in an early issue of the EXPLORER and available on the AAPG website through the election period. Ballots will be mailed, online in the first quarter of each year. Results will be posted mid-May.

Candidates were asked to limit their biographies to 350 words and responses to 500 words.

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