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August 2017

Could the World's Oil Supply Outlast Demand?

Projections of Peak Demand timing range from “sometime in the next decade” to “never.” The oil industry is following the issue closely because of the whispered possibility of “oil left in the ground.”

Alaska's ANWR and NPRA Might Soon Open for Exploration

Acting with a goal of “geopolitical security,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has begun a heavy push to open Alaska’s oil-rich, yet off-limits, federally-owned areas after decades of legislation and land management policies have kept some of them essentially out of reach.

Terry Mather: An 'Under the Radar' Wildcatter

“I was always looking for a deal where I could get some slice of the pie.” That’s AAPG Emeritus Member Terry Mather, this year’s Norman H. Foster Outstanding Explorer Award winner, talking about motivation, talking about his life in exploration (specifically wildcatting), talking about the excitement, and talking about – at times – the letdown, where there wasn’t a slice of the pie.

Announcing the Vlasta Dvořáková International Ambassador Service Award

A new international award has been established to honor the memory of Vlastimila “Vlasta” Dvořáková. This award is given to those who have promoted growth and awareness of the AAPG organization internationally and created opportunities for the Association to reach a wider audience of geoscientists worldwide.

Emphasis: Geophysical Review

Basin Modeling on the Verge of Major Advances

The fully realized future of basin modeling doesn’t exist quite yet, but the industry is somewhere on the verge of enhanced processing speeds and increased data inputs from seismic and sensors that will enable geoscientists to produce basin models at a level of quality and scope never seen before.

EM Tech As a Cost-Saving Complement to Seismic

Over the last decade or so, marine controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) technology has proven to be an effective tool to de-risk deepwater, really high cost drilling decisions. Yet it, along with magnetotellurics technology (MT), has both good days and bad days in the continuing uncertain financial environment.

Standing Columns

President’s Column

Keep Looking Up!

Helping all our members add to the global energy supply is AAPG’s prime goal and will be for a very long time. Research shows that we have underestimated petroleum systems. Combine that with our ever-improving ability to extract energy sources from nano-scale spaces, and we have an energy revolution.

Director’s Corner

Going Back to First Principles

Earlier last month I opened the 2015 biography of Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance and spent the weekend learning about this visionary and controversial polymath and entrepreneur.

Division Column EMD

Serving the Global Need for Energy Knowledge

The Energy Minerals Division has a very large role, mission and opportunity across global energy-related topics, internally within AAPG and externally through meaningful technical reports, scientific papers, workshops, seminars, field trips and our day-to-day personal and professional interactions.

Geophysical Corner

Misconceptions about Brittleness, and the Talk about Fracture Toughness

During the last decade, as the shale resource characterization has come to the fore, the term “brittleness” has become a buzzword.

Historical Highlights

John Joyce Carter: From Civil War Hero to Petroleum Entrepreneur

The early history of the oil industry in North America is populated by people who took risks and challenged the norms. John J. Carter was such a man.

ProTracks

YPs Enter New Era with SIG, Leadership Team

Beginning with the 2017–18 fiscal year, the new YP SIG leadership team comprises co-chairs Robynn Dicks and Ryan Lemiski, vice-chairs Maxim Kotenev and Juan Carlos Quinto, AAPG Programs Team Lead Susie Nolan and AAPG President-elect Denise Cox.

Foundation Update

Amoruso Retires as Foundation Trustee

John Amoruso, a longtime, legendary giant of both AAPG and the AAPG Foundation, has stepped down from his position as a Foundation trustee after having served in that capacity for more than three decades.

August 2017

Table of Contents

Emphasis: Geophysical Review

Standing Columns

News & Features

Explorer August 2017 PDF

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