The Energy Minerals Division has been working hard over the past year. To follow up on my initial column on the topic of uncertainty, I felt it best to look more closely at the positive changes within the Division.
First, I would like to thank and welcome two new executive members: Franek Hasiuk will be president-elect and Kristen Marra will be secretary. Their willingness to step up to these positions, as well as the continued contributions of existing members Justin Birdwell and Randy Blood is extremely appreciated.
The Commodity Committees have undergone some consolidation as well as creation. The Energy Minerals Division consists of several technical commodity committees. These include coal/coalbed methane, critical minerals, energy economics and technology, gas hydrates, geothermal energy, tight oil and gas, uranium and hydrogen. Lucy Ko has exhibited adaptability and scientific capacity in her willingness to combine the bitumen/heavy oil with the Tight Oil and Gas committees. Franek Hasiuk stepped up to lead the Coal and Coalbed Methane Committee. Geoffrey Ellis is spearheading the newly established Hydrogen Committee. Without their willingness to volunteer for these roles, the Energy Minerals Division and subsequently the AAPG would not function as it could.
Ongoing Programs and Events
With the intricacies that make up the global energy mix, it remains an “all of the above” strategy. To be the great socioeconomic equalizer that it has been, energy must remain cheap, affordable and available. Throughout the year, the EMD remains at the forefront of all these power generation options by reporting on and providing programs on how to provide raw materials for new technologies.
The EMD just hosted a special session at the Geological Society of America’s Connects 2022 meeting, titled, “Development Status of Non-Petroleum Geologic Energy Resources and Materials for the Energy Transition,” on Oct. 12. In addition, EMD will be present for the 2023 Energy Opportunities conference in Mexico City with a session titled, “Critical Minerals Powering the Energy Transition.”
Also, the EMD will host an online discussion with Jack Farchy, the coauthor of “The World for Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth’s Resources,” to be held on Nov. 18. This discussion will shed some light on the “who” in the equation of managing the resources needed for current energy baseload. For the Zoom link or other information, check the EMD LinkedIn page, or reach out to me directly at [email protected].
EMD Committees in Focus
In future issues of the EXPLORER, members of the EMD will highlight each of their committees and answer important questions regarding energy supply, sourcing, applications, and research. In these expanded articles you will get a chance to pull back the curtain and view what is being done to ensure the materials that make our life possible today will be available tomorrow.
So, if you have a chance, take look at the EMD on LinkedIn or the AAPG website. I know you will find something of interest. Also, space doesn’t allow me to mention all the others who are diligently working toward showing the public and peers the Division’s important role in the quest for technology and understanding.