Explorer President’s Column

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.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

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.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Emphasis Article

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.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

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.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Article

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.

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

Listening to “The Mummers’ Dance” by Loreena McKennitt as I write prompted me to think about the tremendous amount of work that has gone into considering where AAPG should go. Like heading for a sea voyage, people of different perspectives choose the route that seems best in that moment. AAPG must do the same so that we can continue to enjoy great adventures filled with learning and camaraderie.

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

Many members of the Energy Minerals Division are researching or working to develop non-fossil energy resources, including geothermal, critical and nuclear minerals, and some “colors” of hydrogen, all in service to human civilization’s ongoing energy transition. Over the years, there has been a variety of reasons given for why the current transition is necessary. These are very real and important concerns, but what often gets left out of the public discourse on the energy transition is how complex and disruptive it will be, especially if we’re going to meet any of the ambitious goals set for this century.

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

Last month I wrote about the substantial increases in E&P investment necessary to ensure the availability of oil and gas supplies in the future to reduce price volatility and enhance global energy security. I drew on the analysis in a recent report of the International Energy Forum and IHS Markit. Business activity and investment in E&P remains on my mind this month, as I look forward to the upcoming NAPE Summit, from Feb. 8-11, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Foundation Update

A philanthropic legacy that was born nearly 50 years ago in the ocean waters of Australia has added yet another chapter to its amazing story – and once again, to the benefit of geoscience education around the world. Marta S. Weeks-Wulf, an AAPG Foundation Trustee Associate, who, like others bearing the Weeks name, has generously and repeatedly supported the Foundation over the past four-plus decades, recently bequeathed yet another gift that will provide benefits for decades of geoscientists: A $5 million annuity gift that will be distributed through 2029.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Explorer Historical Highlights

John S. Wold was a man of such prolific industry and accomplishment that his life story reads less like a narrative and more like a series of escalating and expanding accomplishments in one field after another. Along with being a successful petroleum geologist and mineral resource producer, this award-winning AAPG Member was also an accomplished inventor, scientist, academic, entrepreneur, rancher, philanthropist and public servant. He had the distinction of being the first professional geologist in the U.S. Congress – and a petroleum geologist at that.

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American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Hot Items

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)
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)

Headquarters Contacts

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