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Exploration & Production: The Oil & Gas Review - 2005
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As President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), I have many opportunities to discuss with fellow members the particular challenges in exploration and production (E&P) that we are now confronting. In brief, geoscientists are faced with economically finding and developing oil and gas production to meet an accelerating worldwide thirst for affordable energy. This challenge is more complicated than a generation ago when the comfort factor for adequate conventional reserves was very high.
Currently, geologists, geophysicists, petroleum engineers and oil business leaders are recognising that our industry must move quickly down the resource pyramid. This is necessary in order to find, develop and produce oil and gas sufficient to meet reasonably priced demand. A very large percentage of the ‘low hanging fruit’ of super giant and giant oil and gas fields has been found. Conventional reserves in smaller accumulations are widely scattered. These fields are deeper, more remote and often located in economically and environmentally hostile environs. Nevertheless, many of our members continue to be engaged in the discovery of these accumulations.
A growing number of earth scientists are researching and exploiting unconventional resources such as tight gas sands, coal bed methane, gas shales, heavy oil deposits, etc. Contrary to popular belief these ‘continuous’ hydrocarbon deposits require the application of considerable geoskills as well as engineering. Close co-operation among geologists, geophysicists and engineers is often the difference between economic success and failure.
The AAPG has steadily expanded its lineup of products and services to help members worldwide to be more effective. Indeed, over the last 20 years the association has doubled the number of committees, workshops and scientific presentations, etc., to deal with the ever growing technical needs of earth scientists. Specifically, AAPG’s Energy and Minerals Division focuses on coal, coalbed methane, gas hydrates, gas shale, heavy oil sands, oil shales, uranium and alternate energy. The Environmental Geosciences Division works to advance conservation, preventative and correctional approaches to energy exploitation. The Professional Affairs Division operates the certification process of AAPG and addresses ethical and governmental affairs.
Separate from the three divisions, AAPG houses almost 60 standing and ad hoc committees charged with a wide assortment of purposes. These range from convention activities to distinguished lecturers and embrace a long list of education and training aids. A scientific publication, the Bulletin, is an excellent monthly as is the Explorer, a popular geoscience and news magazine. A paid staff of over 60 located in Tulsa, Oklahoma administers many of the association’s activities. The House of Delegates is the legislative body while the Executive Committee, with help from the Advisory Council, makes major policy. All these entities are populated by elected Active members.
The Association is a critical player in worldwide E&P. As President I am convinced AAPG will continue to successfully adapt to the on-going challenges of oil and gas exploration and production. There is a lot left, it is just harder to extract. (For more about AAPG including membership opportunities please visit the website, www.aapg.org)
Category:
Overview & Strategy
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Patrick J F Gratton is President of
the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the
largest geological organisation of its
kind with over 31,000 members in
more than 120 countries. Mr
Gratton has over 40 years of
experience as a petroleum
geoscientist, oil operator and
manager. He has worked for mining
companies, Shell Oil, Delhi-Taylor
Oil and small companies but has
been an independent since 1970.
He is also a member of Society of
Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Society
of Independent Professional Earth
Scientists (SIPES), Society of
Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), The
Texas Independent Producers and
Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO)
and the National Petroleum Council
(US). He holds BS and MS degrees
in Geology from the
University of New Mexico.
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