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Mid-Continent Section

Explorer Foundation Update By Vern Stefanic

UTD GSS: Telling the Story of the Geosciences

Geoscience education is essential to the AAPG Foundation. In fact, it’s promised right there in the Foundation’s mission statement, to “… support(ing) education and scientific activities in the field of geology.” Also crucial to the Foundation: engaging and informing the general public about the importance of energy, geology and the world in which we all reside. That’s why there are many, many Foundation programs supporting all those goals. But some Foundation-backed projects exist to do both at the same time – and one, in particular, is making a big impact on both students and the public by merging geology, geosciences and video production techniques into one informative, often timely and always accessible package.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer President’s Column By Gretchen Gillis

Making a Difference for People Who Are Different

Listening to “King of the Mountain” by Midnight Oil, a song about a foot race up the wickedly steep Mount Cooroora in Australia, prompted me to think about whether it is good to be the king, or to be in a position to just help others get to the top of the mountain. We do not need royal powers or superhuman running ability to make a difference for people participating in AAPG activities. Making a difference can be much simpler and just requires the will to make the climb and help others along the way.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Article By Nicole Wagoner

AAPG Women’s Network Accepting 2022-24 Officer Nominations

I have had the privilege of serving as one of the AAPG Women’s Network co-chairs since 2020 and it has been a pleasure to watch the network grow over these last two years. In that time, our membership has grown from fewer than 100 to nearly 800 members. This growth can be attributed to the numerous opportunities our team has developed for the AAPG community, including technical training, career development, mentoring, networking and much more.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Article By Barry Friedman

Is It Time to Resurrect the Lost Art of Conventional Exploration?

These days, more uncertain than the price of gas, especially with the announcement last month from the administration to ban the import of Russian oil and gas, combined with the European Union’s decision to cut imports by 80 percent, is the question of whether the world will get the energy it needs – and who will provide it. To that end, it’s worth considering what conventional oil and gas reservoirs here in America can be drilled and placed online quickly to help fill that need.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Emphasis Article By David Brown

A Bond Forged in Road Trips and Geoscience

Here’s one sign of change in university- level geoscience education: This year, for the first time, both recipients of AAPG’s Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award are female geology professors. Their careers have followed different paths and include contrasting professional interests, but the stories of their respective educational histories share several common links. That story starts with James Taylor. And chocolate chip cookies.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Article By David Brown

Developing Tight Oil Resources in the Middle East

When the International Petroleum Technology Conference comes to Saudi Arabia in February, the technical program will include a significant look at both unconventional oil and gas and conventional tight oil in the Middle East. Those are two different concepts in the region and the distinctions are important. The Middle East holds a large conventional tight oil resource, now emerging as a serious focus for development. With so much recent attention devoted to unconventional resources, conventional tight oil could be considered an overlooked sibling.

Added on 01 February, 2022

Explorer Regions and Sections By Linda Sternbach

Mid-Continent Section Rebounds to New Heights, Pivots Toward the Future

The Tulsa Geological Society and the AAPG Mid-Continent Section enthusiastically celebrates the success of its annual convention in Tulsa. The Mid-Continent Section meeting showcased what Oklahoma geologists like: oil field history and local lore, Native American culture, combined with their beloved Pennsylvanian subsurface plays. The winning formula attracted attendance beyond post- pandemic expectations; more than 400 in-person attendees.

Added on 01 December, 2021

Explorer Emphasis Article By Barry Friedman

Is Biomass a Blessing or a Boondoggle?

When it comes to biomass – and, specifically, the burning of scrap lumber and forest debris – people on both sides of the debate agree that not only do trees release carbon dioxide when burned, but they are also the most effective tool we have at removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The question and disagreement, then, is what the net result is: do trees – the source of biomass for energy – capture the same amount of CO2 (through photosynthesis) while growing? “Almost half of the ‘renewable’ energy that Western Europe credits itself for is biomass of various kinds,” said Scott Tinker, director of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Added on 01 November, 2021

Explorer Director’s Corner By David Curtiss

IMAGE ’21: A Hard-Won But Rewarding Summit

Lift foot, step. Lift foot, step. Lift foot, step, panting to catch my breath at high altitude under the midday sun. I’d been at this for nearly 12 miles already, one increasingly unsteady foot in front of the other, the pressure of a headache building. Sweat ran into my eyes as I lifted my head searching for the end of this path. The unending series of switchbacks winding their way up a steep scree slope was not spirit-lifting. Somewhere up there was the summit of Pikes Peak.

Added on 01 October, 2021

Explorer President’s Column By Gretchen Gillis

Achieving Harmony Amid Change and Uncertainty

Listening to “Togetherness (K’a jo se)” as I write prompted me to think about community. AAPG has been a pillar of the scientific community for more than 100 years, with a lengthy history of collaboration and rewarding relationships that extend beyond the Association. Like the rise to international success of Nigerian musician King Sunny Adé, AAPG has grown beyond its American roots to serve a global community of energy geoscientists as well as professionals working in adjacent functions like data science, carbon capture, use and sequestration, and various engineering disciplines.

Added on 01 September, 2021

Workshop

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tuesday, 18 February – Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

AAPG Orphan, Abandoned, Idle, and Marginal Wells Conference

Join us for AAPG Orphan, Abandoned, Idle and Marginal Wells Conference 2025. This workshop will focus on orphan, abandoned, idle, and marginal wells and the business opportunities and technology associated with plugging and repurposing wells, reducing methane emissions, protecting water supplies, and extending the lives of marginal wells.

Added on 16 October, 2024

Webinar By Michael Abrams

Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, 9 February 2022, 8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m.

Surface Geochemistry - Evaluation of Near-surface Hydrocarbons as Indicators of Subsurface Petroleum Generation and Entrapment

This talk will provide information to better understand the principles of surface geochemistry (SG), how best to use SG data in exploration or development programs, how to develop a cost effective sampling and analytical program, and will also explore best practices for the interpretation and integration of SG data.

Added on 24 January, 2022

Webinar By Alexander Rozenfeld,John Hofmeister,Larry R. Davis

Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, 17 June 2020, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Pivoting Week 7: Opportunties with Sustainability

Join us for 'Sustainability-Focused Opportunities'. A webinar to explore investment trends, new opportunities, and strategies for pivoting for new revenue and diversification in today's times. Webinar will be presented via Zoom 7:00pm - 8:30pm CDT 17 June 2020.

Added on 15 June, 2020

Online e-Symposium

Tuesday, 9 September 2014, 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.

Fluid Migration and Accumulation within the Mississippian: Why 2% Oil Cut Here, 15% One Mile Away?

Water cut is a big factor in gauging the success of horizontal drilling in the Mississippi Lime Play (MLP). The contributing factors are related in part to the spectrum of producing lithofacies and reservoir quality encountered that varies laterally and vertically, sometimes dramatically.

Added on 20 June, 2014

Webinar By Edith Newton Wilson,Paul Thomas

Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, 19 August 2020, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Pivoting During the Pandemic: Battery Tech and Critical Minerals

Join us for 'Batter Tech and Critical Minerals' where we will discuss an overview of battery tech and critical materials, new trends in energy storage, new opportunities in local energy generation and storage, lithium, rare earths and more. Webinar will be presented via Zoom 7pm -8:30pm CDT, 19 August 2020.

Added on 16 June, 2020

Webinar By Arash Nazhad,Larry R. Davis,Sudhir Pai,Sunil Garg,Susan Nash

Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, 9 June 2021, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

The New Way to Work

Join us for 'Pivoting 2021: The New Way to Work'. Panelists will discuss the way that work is done, both in operations and support roles, and discuss specific examples of technologies being used, and how they contribute to a safer, more efficient and profitable endeavor. Webinar will be presented via Zoom 7pm - 8:30pm CDT, 9 June 2021.

Added on 03 June, 2020

Webinar By Arash Nazhad,Larry R. Davis,Sudhir Pai,Sunil Garg,Susan Nash

Virtual Webinar

Wednesday, 26 May 2021, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Imaging Technologies

Join us for 'Pivoting 2021: Imaging Technologies'. Panelists will discuss new ways to acquire data that is then processed into interpretable images, and they will discuss the technologies as well as the techniques. Webinar will be presented via Zoom 7pm - 8:30pm CDT, 26 May 2021.

Added on 03 June, 2020

Webinar By Julio Friedmann

Virtual Webinar

Friday, 11 December 2020, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Julio Friedmann - Geoscience and the Energy Transition – Abundance and Opportunity in Challenging Times

In a world moving to net-zero emissions during the COVID-driven oil price collapse, there remain important scientific and business opportunities for geoscientists, particularly those with expertise in stratigraphy, sedimentology, reservoir geology and hydrocarbon production. In this webinar, Dr. Julio Friedmann, senior research scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University discusses the challenges this community faces which are not scientific or technical, but rather involve shifts in business model, policy and global market trends. Webinar presented via Zoom on 11 December 2020 at 11:30 am CST (UTC-6).

Added on 08 December, 2020

Webinar

Virtual Webinar

Thursday, 22 April 2021, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Travel to Mars on Earth Day, April 22!

Join Mars astrogeologists Dr. Kirsten Siebach (Rice University), Dr. Michael Thorpe (NASA) for a tour of their favorite outcrops on Mars, along with a discussion of the geology of Mars, and the findings from the Perseverance and Curiosity missions.

Added on 20 April, 2021

View All Online Training ...

Nathan Alan Randolph President (2023-2025) Pablo Energy II, LLC (806) 350-3493

Jamie Ann Woolsey Past President (2023-2025) PQ GeoConsulting (479) 650-5067

John A. Brett, III Vice President (2023-2025) Brett Exploration, LLC (405) 620-3000

Tara Lynn Benda Secretary (2023-2025) Equus Energy Partners (918) 513-1854

Molly Turko Treasurer (2023-2025) Devon Energy (405) 596-2847

The House of Delegates of the AAPG is made up of delegates from affiliated societies and international regions throughout the world. They are selected by popular vote from within their respective areas and serve a three year term.

Who Is My Delegate?

NOTE: Membership in an affiliated society does not necessarily constitute membership in the AAPG and vice versa.

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