EXPLORERAAPG 2 APRIL 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 32, No. 4 APRIL 2011 EXPLORERAAPG PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN Upon Reflection, Some Things Haven’t Changed By DAVID G. RENSINK learly old guys should not reflect on As I noted in this column last month, their careers in public; it apparently professional ethics are as integral to the Cis not a pretty sight. practice of geology as is the science. I was standing on the exhibit floor of the George R. Brown * * * Convention Center at NAPE (North You have no doubt heard that AAPG American Prospect Executive Director Rick Fritz is leaving Exposition) in mid- AAPG after the annual meeting to return February considering to the industry (see related story, page the fact that we will 6). We all reach a point in our careers be standing there this when it is time to make a change, and for month at the AAPG Rick that point is now. Annual Convention I want to thank Rick for all of the and Exhibition, and RENSINK hard work and the long hours he has reflecting on the path expended as executive director of AAPG. that has taken me to this point in my I also want to congratulate him for the career. I apparently had a funny look on many successes he has enjoyed and my face, because one of our members made possible in that position. AAPG has asked if I was feeling all right. benefited greatly under his stewardship. Fortunately, melancholy is not a fatal Rick, you will be missed. NAPE 2011 once again was a popular venue to buy and sell prospects. condition. * * * * * * since I started in this industry, the Do people really buy deals on the mechanics of selling a drilling prospect exhibit floor of NAPE based on the I also want to thank Steve Levine, the NAPE, as the name implies, is a has not changed much. It still involves – strength of that sort of presentation? general chair of our upcoming AAPG venue to buy and sell prospects (see at a minimum – a map demonstrating the The answer is a qualified yes – Annual Convention and Exhibition, related story, page 60). It also is a place structure and trapping configuration, a qualified, because commitments and his entire Convention Organizing to network and re-establish connections log that characterizes the reservoir, well are made subject to a due diligence Committee for the work and dedication with former colleagues. Many companies, information that sets up the prospect and examination of all the data pertaining involved in staging what looks to be which may not have prospects to sell a seismic line that ties it all together. to the prospect and the execution of another terrific conference when we meet or have no current interest in acquiring Granted, more data than that went mutually acceptable agreements. April 10-13. prospects, exhibit at NAPE merely to into the generation of the prospect, but A high level of trust is extended The fact that the culmination of my keep their names visible to the industry. those displays are all that are needed to by both parties in such a handshake year as your president will be held in my Success in this industry can depend generate an interest in the prospect. agreement. The buyer trusts that the adopted hometown is truly awesome. on whom you know as much as on what It was true 40 years ago and it is still prospect is as portrayed, but will still I hope you will join me in Houston. you know. true today, that the judicious use of color verify it through a thorough examination During my visit to NAPE I stopped sells prospects. It draws attention to and of all available data. The seller trusts by a few booths simply to watch the keeps the focus on the area of interest. the buyer will honor the financial geologists as they attempted to sell their There is no better way to see subtle commitments, but will verify it through prospects to prospective investors. As variations – and that is particularly true the execution of a suitable operating much as the technology has advanced on seismic data. agreement. STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS AAPG Headquarters: Money talks: Salaries for petroleum Honor roll: Sidney Powers medalist Washington Watch ................................44 1-800-364-2274 (U.S. & Canada only), 8 geologists, mirroring the trend for 18 John Shelton leads the list of others 1-918-584-2555 crude prices, increased in 2010-11, those who will receive AAPG Geophysical Corner .............................46 Communications Director according to the annual AAPG honors and awards this month in Spotlight On … .....................................56 Larry Nation Salary Survey. Houston. e-mail: [email protected] www.Update .........................................62 Something old, something new: Going deeper: A better Managing Editor Making a Difference .............................64 Vern Stefanic 10 AAPG returns to a familiar locale 30 understanding of the Three Forks for this year’s Annual Convention is enhancing shale oil e-mail: [email protected] Formation Foundation Update ...............................65 and Exhibition in Houston – but prospects in the Bakken Shale. Communications Project Specialist there’s nothing old-fashioned Regions and Sections ..........................66 Susie Moore about the 21st century focus of the Down to earth: Former NASA e-mail: [email protected] ambitious technical program. 50 astronaut Jim Reilly literally hit Membership and Certification ..............68 Correspondents the heights of exploration during In Memory ............................................69 David Brown Joining the party: Noble Energy’s his three space missions – but Courtney Chadney 14 huge gas discovery just in the his mission now deals with the Classified Ads ......................................70 Louise S. Durham Levant Basin means Israel is now challenges of geoscience Barry Friedman part of the Middle East mix. education. Director’s Corner ..................................71 Mary Fritz Divisions Report (DPA) .........................71 Graphics/Production Matt Randolph e-mail: [email protected] ON THE COVER: Advertising Coordinator Brenda Merideth The centerpiece of the Enchanted P.O. Box 979 Rock State Natural Area is a giant Tulsa, Okla. 74101 granite dome, rising a few hundred telephone: (918) 560-2647 (U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636) feet above the Texas Hill Country just (Note: The above number is west of Houston – and the destination for advertising purposes only.) Scan this for the of one of the field trips offered during fax: (918) 560-2636 mobile version of the this year’s AAPG Annual Convention e-mail: [email protected] current web Explorer. Photo courtesy of GRBCC and Exhibition. The popular area offers several miles of hiking trails, The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members. Published at AAPG headquarters, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101, (918) 584-2555. e-mail address: [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, Okla., and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one rock climbing areas and a chance year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12 issues; add $72 for airmail service. Advertising rates: Contact to experience the geologic history of Brenda Merideth, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be 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 that may be cited, used or central Texas. Left, Houston’s George discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2011 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved. R. Brown Convention Center. Cover POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian Vol. 32, No. 4 Vol. address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: [email protected] photo courtesy of Matthew Lee High. WWW.AAPG.ORG APRIL 2011 3 EXPLORERAAPG 4 APRIL 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG APRIL 2011 EXPLORERAAPG APRIL 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG APRIL 2011 5 EXPLORERAAPG Heading back to geology Rick Fritz Steps Down as AAPG Director By LARRY NATION, AAPG Communications Director APG Executive Director Rick Fritz has announced his resignation after Charles E. Decker J.P.D. Hull Robert H. Dott Norman Smith Fred A. Dix Lyle Baie Rick Fritz Aalmost 12 years at the helm of the 1919-1926 1926-1952 1952-1963 1963-1972 1972-1996 1996-1999 1999-2011 Association. 50,000 In mid-April, following the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in Houston, Fritz will join the Tulsa exploration staff of SM Energy Co. (formerly St. Mary Land & Exploration), 40,000 which has headquarters in Denver. The search for a new executive director J. Elmer Thomas, 1917-1919 is under way. AAPG President Dave Rensink has formed an ad hoc search committee 30,000 comprising members of the Executive Committee and the AAPG Foundation. In the interim between Rick’s departure MEMBERS and the selection of a new executive director, David Lange, AAPG’s chief 20,000 financial officer, is handling executive director duties. Prior to assuming the AAPG post, Fritz was president of Masera Corp., Tulsa. He 10,000 is a native Oklahoman and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University. He joined AAPG in 1984 and is a member of the Division of Environmental 0 Geosciences and the Division of 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Professional Affairs. YEARS Fritz served as the eighth executive director in the Association’s 94-year history.