Explorer Geophysical Corner
By Ritesh Sharma,Satinder Chopra
Seismic impedance is widely used in our industry because it allows an integrated approach to geological interpretation. The transformation of seismic amplitudes to impedance data can be essentially seen as the change from an interface property to a layer property. This stratal interval property (impedance) simplifies the lithologic and stratigraphic identification and can be directly converted into lithologic or reservoir properties such as porosity, fluid fill and net pay. It also allows for direct interpretation of three-dimensional geobodies.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 December, 2022
Explorer Article
By Heather Saucier
As countries seek to transition to cleaner-burning fuel to address environmental concerns, it can also be argued that the need to eliminate energy poverty remains just as crucial. The future energy mix must be wide-ranging and diverse to meet the needs both of the environment and the people living on the planet. New companies have begun to bring geothermal energy to areas that aren’t adjacent to volcanoes or that don’t have access to tectonic settings, which allow for an easy harvesting of the Earth’s heat. Some are embracing the niche operation of repurposing traditional geothermal wells and non-producing oil and gas wells. Others are promoting widespread geothermal energy through deep vertical and multilateral wells that can bring heat and electricity to the masses.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 December, 2022
Explorer Emphasis Article
By David Brown
In December 1972, geoscientist Harrison Schmitt traveled more than a quarter-million miles, dropped 8.7 nautical miles out of lunar orbit and took a stroll on the moon. That was 50 years ago, and today, with Artemis, NASA envisions a multistage program to return humans to the moon and eventually create a sustainable manned lunar habitat. In Greek mythology, Artemis was a moon goddess and twin sister of Apollo. The Artemis I Space Launch System rocket launched on Nov. 16.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 December, 2022
Explorer Article
By Emily Llinás
The war between Russia and Ukraine has seen several phases since the initial invasion in February. A series of advances by the Ukraine armed forces in the Eastern part of the country in early September created the impression that the conflict might be near an end. Russian annexation of four provinces at the end of the month convinced others that the war is far from over. What is not debatable, however, are the devastating effects that the war continues to have, particularly on Ukrainian refugees who fled hundreds or thousands of miles to escape the turmoil and seek safety for themselves and their families. This is the second in a two-part series about Ukrainian geologist refugees who fled their homeland and received assistance from colleagues living around the world, which shares the stories of other geoscientists who benefitted greatly from the funding but still struggle to find stability after having their world turned upside-down.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2022
Explorer Emphasis Article
By Emily Llinás
Natural disasters worldwide, public debate, policy decisions and shareholder pressure are just some of the factors motivating companies to seek alternatives to traditional oil and gas to fuel the ever-increasing demand for energy worldwide. One of those alternatives is hydrogen – a renewable energy source that proponents believe brings a wealth of opportunities and challenges. Argentina’s national energy company YPF is one such proponent. They are considering using natural gas from the massive Vaca Muerta play to produce “blue hydrogen,” which is produced by combining natural gas and steam.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 November, 2022
Explorer Article
András Németh, a geologist and research expert for Hungarian energy company MOL, tragically passed away on Sept. 12 at the age of 46. He was a key member and supporter of the AAPG in Europe. He was an active and vocal supporter of the AAPG Foundation and three Hungarian student chapters of AAPG, and was highly involved with the Europe Region Imperial Barrel Award competition. He co-chaired the Visiting Geoscience Program from 2011-2017. He was a member of the AAPG House of Delegates since 2018, and he co-chaired the Europe Region Conference in May of this year.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 October, 2022
Explorer Article
By Barry Friedman
“We’re probably at least 10 times larger. I mean, it just dwarfs any other project in North America.” That’s Vincent Ramirez, CEO of 3PL Operating, Inc., talking about a large and valuable lithium discovery his company has made in Railroad Valley, Nev. As lithium will play a vital role in the world’s changing energy landscape, generally, and because much of the known lithium deposits are in Chile, Australia, Argentina and China, specifically, 3PL’s find in central Nevada is potentially a very big deal.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 October, 2022
Explorer Article
By David Brown
A hard winter combined with a natural gas supply shortage could mean some difficult choices for Europe over the coming months. The looming cold-weather crisis may cost European governments and industries a staggering amount of money to subsidize energy availability and household utility payments, while also derailing climate action commitments. And even then, there’s no guarantee that Europe will get to next spring without grim consequences.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 October, 2022
Explorer Foundation Update
By Vern Stefanic
Sometimes, challenging times call for dramatic objectives – and for a geoscience world still being redefined after years of upheaval, that’s exactly what the doctor ordered. This year’s new slate of AAPG Distinguished Lecturers has been determined, and in doing so, AAPG announces its own version of the Magnificent Seven: a diverse group of experts with international experience, specific knowledge and a hint of geoscience star power who have been selected to inform, improve and inspire geoscientists around the world.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 September, 2022
Explorer Historical Highlights
By Mir-Yusif Mir-Babayev
In 1949 an historic oil field was discovered under the Caspian Sea. The field was named “Neft Dashlari, which in Azerbaijani means “Oil Rocks,” and it was a milestone in the development of the global oil industry. Oil Rocks, an iconic “city in the sea,” pointed the way to modern offshore drilling as we know it today.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Added on 01 September, 2022