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Oil Spills Success in Global Exploration in 30 Get a Lot of Media Attention, but the Protracks

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Oil Spills Success in Global Exploration in 30 Get a Lot of Media Attention, but the Protracks EXPLORER 2 APRIL 2015 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 36, No. 4 April 2015 EXPLORER PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN Learning from others During Good Times and Bad By RANDI MARTINSEN ecently AAPG Executive Director for interaction and engagement across David Curtiss and I had the Providing opportunities for energy industry professionals might Rpleasure of attending a Young expand employment opportunities for Professionals in Energy (YPE) meeting interaction and engagement across all our members – especially during in Pittsburgh – and what an eye-opening downturns like this. experience it was. energy industry professionals might For those of you who are not familiar expand employment opportunities for * * * with YPE, it is a non-profit organization with more than 40,000 members and all our members. As stated in last month’s column, 40 local chapters worldwide, and its MARTINSEN AAPG leadership and staff are actively aim is to facilitate the advancement of looking at ways that we can most young professionals in the global energy effectively help our members during this industry through social, educational and Part of the answer may lie in the I don’t believe, however, we ever have downturn. civic service-oriented events. reality that our profession is increasingly actively tried to recruit them. Over the One good tool already in place is Two young energy finance becoming more team-based and past few years the Executive Committee the AAPG Member Registry, which was professionals in the Houston area started cross-disciplinary – geologists and and staff had discussions about providing created to network, foster scientific the YPE organization in 2005. Think about geophysicists working with engineers, additional services that would be geared exchange and showcase your expertise it: a non-profit organization (like AAPG) landmen and economists. toward better serving our Associates and to the entire world. You can read more with a very loose organizational structure, AAPG member Josh Hickman, other interested customers, but not about about it on page 48; I really encourage that is only 10 years old and has enticed founder of the Pittsburgh YPE, asks actively recruiting Associates. you to check out the Registry on the 40,000 members worldwide to join. the question: “If a geologist only does AAPG website. Interestingly, you don’t have to be a geology and knows only other geologists, * * * So, AAPG is responding to the needs YP to belong to YPE – and based on our how successful can he or she truly be in of our members. It’s one reason why Pittsburgh experience, attraction to this today’s world?” Part of the YPE’s success also may belonging to AAPG can be so valuable to group and its events is not limited to YPs. I would add, how could they be be that young people prefer inclusivity to your career. successful especially if they work for a exclusivity, and they join YPE because it is But we’ll also continue to brainstorm * * * small company or are a consultant? easy yet provides social and professional about other ways we can help our Perhaps to be successful in today’s networking and training opportunities. members as we strive to make AAPG an What drew and continues to draw environment it is necessary to integrate According to Stephen Cravens, one of integral part of careers around the world. my attention to the YPE organization is the technical disciplines with the other the founders of YPE, inclusivity is required We’ll continue to look for best practices that it has experienced explosive growth disciplines in the energy supply chain, to get true interdisciplinary knowledge developed by others that might benefit while AAPG’s total membership has which means associations that facilitate and idea sharing. our members. shown a very modest increase – and the that dynamic have a lot of appeal. Also, very interestingly, while jobs The Pittsburgh YPE, developed by number of our voting Members is actually To be fair, although AAPG’s primary for geoscientists during past industry AAPG members, provided some good declining. focus always has been on our members downturns decreased in the E&P sector, ingredients to add to the mix. Yes, the YPEs have a broader potential who are geoscientists, we do have they increased in the other sectors, such member base than does AAPG, but its the Associate member category that as banking and investment, because of success begs the question: Why do allows non-geoscientists who are in the increased acquisition and divestment energy professionals want to belong to petroleum and related industries to join opportunities brought on by low oil prices. this organization? AAPG. Therefore, providing opportunities STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS Managing Editor Kidnapped in Colombia: AAPG Childlike Wonder: If geology is boring, Historical Highlights ........................... 28 Vern Stefanic members band together to help free you’re teaching it wrong, according to 06 22 Geophysical Corner ........................... 40 email: [email protected] their fellow geologists. this year’s Grover E. Murray Award Assistant Managing Editor winner. Regions and Sections ........................ 42 Growth Industry: Deepwater Brian Ervin Policy Watch ....................................... 44 email: [email protected] 14 discoveries have driven most of the An Ounce of Prevention: Oil spills success in global exploration in 30 get a lot of media attention, but the ProTracks ............................................ 45 Communications Project Specialist recent months. best stories are about the disasters Susie Moore that didn’t happen. Foundation Update ............................. 46 email: [email protected] The history of offshore innovation In Memory .......................................... 47 Graphics/Production 18 can be told in the Offshore Coming Soon to an ACE Near You: Matt Randolph Technology Conference’s nearly 35 AAPG giants to be featured in Classified Ads .................................... 49 email: [email protected] half-century of technical papers. GeoLegends Theater as part of Readers’ Forum .................................. 49 Advertising Coordinator AAPG’s 100th Anniversary. Director’s Corner ................................ 50 Steve Praytor P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101 Divisions Report (DPA) ....................... 50 Phone: (918) 560-2647 – fax: (918) 560-2636 (U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636) (Note: The above number is for advertising purposes only.) email: [email protected] ON THE COVER: The location of one of a dozen field trips scheduled for ACE next month, the Florissant CORRESPONDENTS fossil beds of central Colorado are world David Brown Emily Smith Llinás renowned for their highly diverse assemblage Louise S. Durham Ken Milam of fossil plants and insects of the Eocene Barry Friedman Heather Saucier Epoch. As pictured, some of the largest diameter petrified trees in the world occur Scan this for the mobile version of the here. The Florissant Formation formed in a current web Explorer. Photo by K. Tanavsuu-Milkeviciene paleovalley where sedimentation was strongly influenced by lahars and volcaniclastic eruptions from a nearby stratovolcano. Photo The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101-3604, (918) 584-2555. e-mail address: [email protected]. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tulsa, OK and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER, courtesy of Jeff Kramer. P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: [email protected] Left: Another ACE field trip destination, Advertising rates: Contact Steve Praytor, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be Roan Cliffs outside Rifle, Colo. showing accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ensure return. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) does not endorse or recommend any products or services profundal oil shales of Green River Formation that may be cited, used or discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2015 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All (upper white cliffs) overlying red shales and rights reserved. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12 Vol. 36, No. 4 Vol. issues; add $72 for airmail service. sandstones of the Wasatch Formation. WWW.AAPG.ORG APRIL 2015 3 EXPLORER AAPG Candidate Videos Now Online he first videos featuring those who will be AAPG president for the following have agreed to stand for election fiscal year. The terms for vice presidents, Tto serve on the AAPG Executive treasurer or secretary are two years each. Committee next fiscal year are now The slate is: available on the AAPG website. President-Elect These are brief biographical p Paul W. Britt, Texplore Inc., Houston. introduction videos, intended to allow p Gretchen M. Gillis, Aramco Services members around the world to meet the Co., Houston. candidates on a virtual basis. Vice President-Regions Additional videos will be published p Adebayo O. Akinpelu, Fixital Ltd., on the website in April, which feature a Lagos, Nigeria. Q&A format that allows each candidate p Peter M. Lloyd, Asia Pacific
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