Home

Arizona

Explorer Article By Heather Saucier

High Prospects for Helium in Arizona’s Holbrook Basin

The need for helium is growing and supplies in the United States are dwindling, creating an economic opportunity for geoscientists whose knowledge and skills are ideal for this niche industry. In Arizona, known for its helium-rich formations, a growing number of companies are leasing land and drilling for the gas.

Added on 01 March, 2023

Explorer Emphasis Article By Doug Cook

Exploring for Signs of Life in the Outer Solar System

Human exploration of the Earth and our universe is pushing ever-expanding boundaries. Along with renewed exploration of the moon and ongoing exploration of Mars, we have also probed the outer reaches of the solar system, and beyond. Beginning in 1972, NASA has executed many successful missions to the outer solar system that have exponentially increased our knowledge of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and their myriad of intriguing moons, such as Pioneer 10 and 11, Voyager 1 and 2, Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons and Juno. These missions have also kindled questions that we did not even know to ask a few decades ago.

Added on 01 December, 2022

Learn! Blog By Susan Nash

Helium Associated With Natural Gas – A Frank Look at Exploration, Production, and the Business: Interview with Steven Tedesco

Helium and natural gas are hitting record high prices, triggered in part by a severe shortage caused by recent events. In some parts of the world, helium is associated with natural gas. Welcome to an interview with Steve Tedesco, Ph.D., who provides insights into the current situation and opportunities based on his more than 40 years of experience.

Added on 23 June, 2022

Explorer Article By Heather Saucier

World’s First Fully-Renewable Nat’l Gas-to-Gasoline Plant Planned in Permian Region

Energy developer Nacero Inc. recently announced plans to build the world’s first natural gas-to-gasoline plant that will operate entirely on renewable energy. The approximately $7 billion plant, which will be located just outside of Odessa, Texas, will use the abundant natural gas resources in the Permian Basin and ultimately produce 115,000 barrels of gasoline a day for markets in Texas and the Southwest. It will be the nation’s first natural gas-to-gasoline manufacturing facility, according to Nacero, with two others planned by the company in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Added on 01 August, 2021

Explorer Foundation Update By Vern Stefanic

Arizona Teacher Wins 2020 Teacher of the Year Award

It’s a familiar but still inspiring story: Young students have their lives changed – their entire understanding of the Earth and geologic processes – because of a single person. Their teacher. It happens in classrooms that overlook commanding mountain vistas. It happens in urban jungles and near suburban malls, in isolated towns and concrete expanses. Geoscience teachers get the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion with students, and in that experience the world changes – often for both the teacher and the student, always for the better. “I am a teacher because I love what I do, and I can think of no greater good than cultivating the minds, souls and character of the young people who will lead our world one day,” said Rebekah Kienenberger, an Earth and space science teacher at Arete Preparatory Academy in Gilbert, Ariz., and the 2020 AAPG Teacher of the Year.

Added on 01 January, 2021

Explorer Article By David Brown

World Helium Resources to Enter 'Sustained, Ample Supply'

Helium rose back into the news recently, in part because of drilling exploration programs planned for an area along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border in southern Canada. North American Helium Inc. of Calgary announced it had arranged additional equity financing of about $29 million to purchase and construct its second helium purification plant at the Battle Creek field in southwest Saskatchewan and to fund an active drilling program. A number of other companies are reportedly involved in North American helium exploration projects, including Desert Mountain Energy Corp. and Royal Helium Ltd. of Vancouver, Weil Group Resources LLC in Richmond, Va., and Australian explorer Blue Star Energy.

Added on 01 July, 2020

Explorer Foundation Update By Gretchen Flint

Arizona Educator Named AAPG Foundation’s 2020 Teacher of the Year

Rebekah Kienenberger, an Earth and space science teacher at Arete Preparatory Academy in Gilbert, Ariz., has been named the 2020 Teacher of the Year by the Tulsa-based AAPG Foundation.

Added on 01 April, 2020

Explorer Emphasis Article By Barry Friedman

Machine Learning Reveals Hidden Geology

Necessity may be the mother of invention. But sometimes it’s just all the mosquitos. Leila Donn, a doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin studying environmental geoscience, wasn’t necessarily looking for a computer model to help her find the location of ancient Mayan caves last year. Mostly, she just was hot and tired and the work was going slowly.

Added on 01 December, 2019

Explorer Article By Brian Ervin

EXPLORER Photo Contest Winner Announced

At long last, the AAPG EXPLORER Cover Photo Contest has concluded and a winner has been chosen.

Added on 01 February, 2019

Explorer Historical Highlights By Jon Gluyas

The Emergence of the Helium Industry

Little more than a novelty when first discovered, helium has become a key commodity. It is used extensively in medical cryogenics, analytical and lab applications, breathing mixtures, as a lift gas, for arc welding, leak detection and, contrary to popular belief, only a little is used to inflate party balloons. There are few substitutes for helium and so, as its applications have become more common, demand has grown and supply is struggling to match demand.

Added on 01 January, 2019

Online e-Symposium

Wednesday, 5 March 2014, 12:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m.

Virtual Field Trip: Geology of the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks

Explore three of the great wonders of the geological world. Take a guided tour of classic geological sites on the Colorado Plateau.

Arizona

States in the Section

Sections

Regions

STAY CONNECTED: