This Month's Explorer Articles

Historically, Alaska has been known for its seemingly endless oil supply. Today, the state finds itself in critical need of natural gas and is searching for ways to produce it. Anchorage and south-central Alaska have long relied on natural gas produced in Cook Inlet as a main energy source. However, dwindling supplies – coupled with no easy way to replenish them – have government officials looking at unprecedented options to solve an impending crisis.

Once called “the Arabia of Latin America,” Venezuela has long been known for its immense oil and gas reserves and exploration and production potential. The mass exodus of petroleum industry professionals and a turbulent political environment over the past two decades have left some companies hesitant to invest and operate in the country. Recent discoveries in neighboring Guyana and relaxed sanctions have reignited interest and encouraged U.S.-based companies and others to reconsider investment in Venezuela. With limited outside industry presence, few digital publications and a lack of new presentations at technical conferences, finding and trusting the information is a challenge.

In April, AAPG’s Digital Media Team launched four topic-specific e-newsletters for geoscientists. Each of these e-newsletters is sent once weekly to subscribers via email and is written by a geoscience expert for geoscientists and geology enthusiasts. The purpose of these newsletters goes beyond sharing relevant geoscience information and news: AAPG hopes each newsletter will create an engagement platform for its members and the energy professional community at large. Now, the conversation will extend into print via four new sections in EXPLORER, each named after one of the four e-newsletters.

“Drill, baby, drill.” Former President Donald Trump often deploys that phrase in his presidential campaign. But the words are a slogan, not a statement of policy. Trump’s specific energy proposals are better understood through his public speeches, his campaign statements and his past actions in the White House. And, especially, Trump’s energy plans are detailed on the donaldjtrump.com website, in the section titled “Agenda47.” The site includes multiple lists of what Trump – who served as the 45th U.S. president – intends to do if he is elected in November as the 47th.

Max Ball was one of the foremost figures in the oil industry during the first half of the 20th century. His astute business acumen, diplomatic skills and legal expertise positioned him as a vital intermediary between the petroleum sector and the federal government – a critical responsibility, especially during World War II. He also played a pivotal role in shaping the early development of geoscience associations. Ball’s membership in AAPG began in 1919, just two years after its establishment. He rose to the presidency in 1923, leaving an indelible mark on the organization. Ball spearheaded several initiatives during his tenure that significantly influenced AAPG's future.

When Henry Agbogun was a boy in his native Nigeria, his love of working outdoors, hiking and the “fascination of rock outcrops” drew him to the world of geology – and for him that proved to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But the connection didn’t stop at the rocks. Add to that natural dynamic the admiration and respect he had for his late father, then a teacher at a Nigerian technical school, and his father’s mantra – “He who asks questions never gets lost” – and the seeds of a career in geoscience education were safely planted.

What happens when two protoplanets collide? One theory suggests this is how Earth’s moon was formed. In 1946, Canadian geologist Reginald Daly suggested that during Earth’s formation, a Mars-sized protoplanet collided with Earth. The timing of the collision was later estimated to be roughly 4.51 billion years ago. This “giant-impact” or “big splash” ejected materials that later coalesced to form the moon, circling Earth on the same orbit as Earth revolves around the sun. The hypothesized protoplanet was later named Theia after a Greek titan who gave birth to the moon goddess Selene.  

In a previous edition of Enspired – AAPG’s tech and innovation e-newsletter – I had analyzed a study that examined factors that drive individual innovation in the oil and gas industry. One subscriber pointed out that the study was conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and, therefore, it likely covered engineers’ perspectives more than other disciplines. We wondered if the results would be different for geoscientists, so we sent out our own survey!

There is a significant valuation gap between the American majors, ExxonMobil and Chevron, and the European majors Shell, BP and TotalEnergies. As of June 15, 2024, ExxonMobil’s market cap had reached $490 billion, more than twice that of Shell ($220 billion), three times that of TotalEnergies ($156 billion), and nearly five times that of BP ($98 billion). Chevron, at $279 billion, has firmly established its position as the second-largest international oil company in the world and the only oil stock listed on the Dow Jones. If its pending acquisition of Hess closes, its market cap will reach more than $300 billion.

On June 12, 2024, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, together with AAPG and the Society for Exploration Geophysicists, conducted a one-day symposium on the theme, “Sustainable Energy for Future Generations.” This exclusive event, hosted at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., was designed to provide a unique opportunity for senior technical leaders and policymakers from the federal government, think tanks, associations and others in the federal capital community who work with the oil and natural gas and energy community to network, exchange best practices and develop actionable strategies.