Show Preview: AAPG Annual Meeting

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), one of the world’s top geological societies, will be holding its Annual Convention & Exhibition (ACE) on April 2–5, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, Texas.

The organization, which has more than 38,000 members from around the globe, will be featuring several special events this year, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. In conjunction with exclusive anniversary events, the convention is sure to deliver a strong technical program, as well as innovative technology displays and networking opportunities, Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Thousands visit the exhibit floor every year to see the latest research and technology in the field of petroleum geology.

 
Pioneering women. During the first day of the exhibition, AAPG’s Professional Women in Earth Sciences (PROWESS) committee—along with the Association of Women Geoscientists and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Women’s Network—will host the “Pioneering women in petroleum geology” forum, commending women geologists who have contributed to the past 100 years of oil exploration. A “Celebration Wall” will be showcased, displaying an impressive collection of achievements and discoveries made by women throughout history.

The forum will highlight expert speakers, interactive panel discussions, and the premiere of a new documentary titled “Rock Stars: Pioneering women in petroleum geology.” The documentary will underline the achievements and advancements of women in the industry throughout history. It will be showcased and discussed in four segments that will examine the eras, the cultures, the profession and the experiences of women, who recognize the value of petroleum geology.

GeoLegends. In addition to the Women’s Celebration Wall, another display of AAPG’s past presidents will be showcased for attendees. Not only will the display include the names and achievements of the organization’s past presidents, but it also will illustrate a comprehensive history of the Sidney Powers Memorial Award winners.

AAPG’s GeoLegends will be presented, as well. The 10-year filmmaking initiative was produced by the 100th Anniversary Committee, and includes video interviews with some of history’s chief geoscientists. Highlighting some of the most significant developments in exploration, attendees will hear from renowned explorers, including Larry Meckel, Richard Stoneburner, Harry Jamison, John Masters, Don Todd, Fred Meissner and Bob Weimer, among others.

100 years. On Monday, April 3, attendees will join the anniversary celebration through a special 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Fig. 2. Following a red carpet entrance, attendees will have the opportunity to network and connect with colleagues over cocktails. Dr. Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of IHS and founder of IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, will serve as the keynote speaker. A Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author, Yergin will discuss the energy sector, as well as international politics and economics. The social event also will feature live music performed by Lesli Wood.

Fig. 2. Every year, during the ACE opening ceremony, awards are given to celebrate those who have contributed to the field of geology. This year is expected to be very special, as AAPG celebrates 100 years with an anniversary gala.

 
Also commemorating AAPG’s 100 years, the Digital Immersive Field Trip Committee has assembled a digital publication to be released during the exhibition. Titled “Outcrops that change the way we practice petroleum geology,” the publication will showcase several outcrop studies that are available in the new Digital Immersive Geosciences (DIG) platform, which makes the outcrop field trips available in 3D, real-time terrain visualization for Windows desktops and tablets. This gives the geoscience community the ability to digitally study and experience rocks, outcrops and geologic formations from around the world.

The future of energy. Throughout the four-day convention, a variety of forums, educational programs (Fig. 3.) and special sessions will be held, including the “History of petroleum geology,” the “Discovery thinking forum” and the “Preservation of geoscience data display.” Overall, more than 1,200 oral and poster presentations are scheduled for the event.

Fig. 3. AAPG presents several awards through its educational programs, including the Imperial Barrel Award, which is given to the winner of the annual student research competition.

 
A special 100th anniversary session will be presented on April 4, addressing the future challenges facing the oil and gas sector. The session, “The next 100 years of global energy use: Resources, impacts and economics,” will feature a diverse panel of speakers, who will discuss the many obstacles faced as we transition into a low-carbon energy future.

Speakers participating in the session include Steven Koonin, professor of Information and director at NYU’s Center for Urban Science and Progress; Cindy Yeilding, senior V.P. at BP America; Mark Snell, president of Sempra Energy; Jesse Ausubel, director of the Program for the Human Environment and senior associate at Rockefeller University; Kenneth Medlock, III, senior director at Rice University’s Center for Energy Studies; and Scott Tinker, director at the University of Texas at Austin’s Bureau of Economic Geology.

A similar forum will be held the following day, April 5. “The future best practices for extraction industries in a lower-carbon environment” will address practical aspects of how the fossil fuel industry should operate in the coming decades. Topics will include the increasing demand for energy, and the policies that surround and restrict any amendment to local or global environments becoming more prevalent, as technology allows more detailed measurements, and different media allow the distribution of information, as well as disinformation.

Forum speakers include Daniel Domeracki, V.P. of government and industry relations at Schlumberger; Dr. Jeremy Boak, University of Oklahoma and state geologist; C. R. Williams, II, executive director at the Center for Offshore Safety, and chief scientist, Well Engineering and Production Technology, Shell; David Lyon, scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund; Alan Krupnick, senior fellow and co-director at the Center for Energy and Climate Economics in Washington, D.C.; and Susan Cunningham, executive V.P. at Noble Energy.

Pitchapalooza. On the final day of the exhibition, investors and partners, alike, will come together to emphasize the development and implementation of the industry’s latest technologies. According to AAPG, Pitchapalooza is designed to convert science and networking into forward-looking opportunities. The event allows individuals and companies to “pitch” ideas and initiatives to an audience, with the potential to generate funding for their projects. These innovative technologies will include everything from the revitalization of mature fields, the identification of shale play sweet spots, to the introduction of new smart systems or software.