NEWS FLASH: AAPG - SPE MERGER PLANS TERMINATED on 11 March, 2022. The AAPG and SPE Presidents both announced the termination of the merger plans. In the announcement, it was stated that the AAPG Executive Committee met on 11 March and a vote to continue work on the merger and proceed to a member vote failed. This does NOT mean the financial challenges facing the AAPG, SPE and the entire oil and gas industry have been permanently erased by the present burst of high prices. The proposed merger of AAPG and SPE (or other Professional Societies, e.g., Society of Exploration Geophysicists) may well be revisited in the future. The need for change to assure survival will remain. Every AAPG Member is encouraged to participate in the thoughtful preservation of the past, while contributing responsibly to evolving the changes necessary in a rapidly evolving world.
PRICE HEADLINES
The historic resistance to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine may yet bring these foes to the bargaining table. Prices could fall as a result, but timeframe and demand levels are as yet unclear. At this writing, WTI is hovering around $100, Brent is above $100 and Natural Gas is fluctuating in a fairly broad range between $4 and $5 per MMBTU in the USA; but much higher worldwide.
To help make sense of these rapid economic variations, the HGS steps up to serve its Members and the Public, with events ranging from HGS’ participation in the “Reach for the Stars STEM Festival” for schoolchildren; to the HGS North American Meeting bringing Industry Leaders from the C-Suite to your screen, regardless of size or location.
Whether seeking a job with HGS volunteers at the SPE-GCS Spring 2022 Energy Professionals Hiring Event or volunteering to be a Presentation Judge at the UH Earth & Atmospheric Science 2022 Student Research Conference, HGS provides opportunity in many forms to enrich every Member’s Professional and Personal lives. We even have Social events to provide that all-important Networking, including the HGS Shrimp Peel & Crawfish Boil 2022 at the end of this month!
Don’t forget, our cherished and honored HGS Educational Outreach volunteers provide training and instruction for K-12, College and University students across Southeast Texas. Support the HGS Continuing Education Committee by volunteering today!
The rejuvenated HGS the Fine Arts committee celebrated a cautious exit from the COVID pandemic by attending longtime HGS member and Retired Shell Global Exploration Advisor Larry Garmezy’s Opening and Closing Receptions for his Solo Art Exhibition entitled “Stuck in the backyard”, at Archway Gallery from March 5th, 2022 thru Saturday March 26th, 2022.
More HGS’s Fine Arts events are in the planning stages, including Symphony and Ballet events. Enjoy the opportunity to experience Houston’s finest experiences in the Fine Arts. Interested Members may contact their friends on the HGS Board of Directors, or your faithful Editor for volunteering and event information.
Now, some of the highlights of the April 2022 HGS Bulletin:
AAPG CCUS 2022 AAPG's Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Conference; "An Emerging Field for Energy Professionals," took place 29–31 March 2022 at the University of Houston.
HGS Past President Jim Tucker reported a very good turnout of more than 600 attending, apparently exceeding expectations. Pictures and a brief report can be found in this month’s HGS Bulletin.
HGS Virtual General Meeting - Sedimentary Record of Ice-Ocean Interactions in Antarctica
Monday, April 4, 2022 Virtual Event 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Speaker: Dr. Julia Wellner of the University of Houston
Dr. Wellner has completed over fifteen ocean-going cruises collecting geophysical data and sediment cores, including twelve in Antarctica. Her talk will focus on using the sedimentary record from the West Antarctic margin to estimate the controls on glacial stability, examining records of retreat since the last glacial maximum.
WTGS-PBGS Induced Seismicity 1-day Workshop
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Virtual Event 8:00am - 5:00pm
Understanding Induced Seismicity – Earthquake Monitoring, Seismologic Analysis, Geological Characterization, Mechanistic Analysis. The rates of anthropogenic earthquakes in the Permian Basin of West Texas have increased significantly in the last few years. This Introductory workshop will address identification and mitigation technologies.
HGS Happy Hour & Geology Trivia Night
April 7th, 2022 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join the HGS Student Expo Planning Committee for a springtime happy hour and trivia night sponsored by TGS. Learn about Houston’s premier geoscience recruitment event and network with fellow Houston geos while instilling some friendly competition with colleagues. TGS is providing free drinks and a light snack while supplies last, at the Houston Cider Company at 1125 W Cavalcade St., Houston, TX 77009.
Volunteers Needed: Reach for the Stars STEM Festival
April 9th, 2022 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The HGS educational outreach group is preparing for the upcoming Reach for the Stars Festival for middle school girls at Rice University on Saturday April 9, 2022.VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
This event started in 2006 as the Sally Ride Festival for Young Girls. The HGS booth needs to be staffed from 10 until 3:30. To volunteer please email jmcombes@msn.com with activity preferred and time slot. More information and a link to the official website are on the HGS Website.
HGS Virtual E&E Wednesday, April 13, 2022 Virtual Event 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Geochemical Characterization of Base Metals in Stream Water & Sediments in the Caddo Lake Watershed, TX
Dr. Faulkner joined SFASU in 2005 after completing her B.S. and M.S. in Environmental Geology there. In 2016, she completed her Ph.D. in Forestry from SFA and was appointed to the graduate faculty.
The Caddo Lake watershed multi-year study was undertaken to characterize base metal concentrations in stream water and sediments in the Caddo Lake watershed and document the potential watershed transport and contribution to the impairment of Caddo Lake.
HGS Virtual North American Meeting Monday, April 18, 2022 Virtual meeting 5:30pm - 8:00pm
“The State of Government Regulations & Legislation in the Oil & Gas Industry”
This HGS North American event is a panel discussion focusing on the Current and Future Regulatory and Legal environment for the energy industry. Panelists will provide their insights on the broad topics listed below and will answer questions from attendees.
HGS Virtual International Meeting - Revisiting the Cretaceous Play of Trinidad
Monday, April 25, 2022 Virtual Event 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Speaker: Xavier Moonan | Exploration Manager, Touchstone Exploration (Trinidad) Ltd.
Mr. Moonan has over fifteen years of experience working as a petroleum geologist in all the basins onshore and offshore in Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Moonan is a member of HGS, the GSA and SPE. In 2021 he was awarded the AAPG Grover E. Murray Distinguished Educator Award.
SPE-GCS Spring 2022 Energy Professionals Hiring Event
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
The SPE Spring 2022 Energy Professional Hiring Virtual Event provides job seekers with opportunities to meet with potential energy industry hiring companies in upstream oil and gas and renewables.
Event registration is required and resume/CV must be submitted at least 48 hours before the event. Further information is available in the HGS bulletin and online.
HGS Virtual General Lunch Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Virtual Event 12:00pm - 1:00pm
“Economic Effects of Giant Oil & Gas Discoveries”
Speaker David Mihalyi will present new data and statistics on the economic importance of giant oil and gas discoveries.
UH Earth & Atmospheric Science 2022 Student Research Conference, Alumni & Industry Open House Event held virtually on Zoom from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday, April 29th, 2022 followed by an IN-Person Happy Hour at McGonigel's Mucky Duck from 5:30 - 9:00 PM.
HGS Members are cordially invited to serve as volunteer Industry Judges at UH’s 2022 Student Research Conference. More information and details can be found in the HGS Bulletin and on the HGS Website.
HGS Shrimp Peel & Crawfish Boil 2022 Friday, April 29, 2022 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Registration will close Thursday, April 28 at 5:00am CST!
Bear Creek Pioneers Park, Pavilion 6 (East of Bear Creek Dr.); 3535 War Memorial St, Houston, TX 77084
Everyone welcome! Enjoy boiled shrimp, Cajun crawfish, corn and potatoes, beer and beverages, games, and live DJ music. For sponsorships, please call Andrea Peoples at the HGS Office at 713-463-9476 or email your completed form to office@hgs.org.
We truly appreciate and thank ALL our HGS Members, Volunteers and HGS educational outreach teams! Wishing Everyone the best of health and continuing success in 2022!
HGS Editor 2021-2022
Scott C. Sechrist
Editor@ HGS.org