There was a time
(and not that long ago) when many oil companies didn't allow geologists
to talk to geophysicists — and never to engineers or landmen! The
prevailing management concept was that such interaction might compromise
the integrity of developing prospects.
Would an
embryonic, geologically-based prospect "migrate" toward a geophysical
anomaly or nearby company-leased acreage? Would unusually good production
in the area act as a magnet on that geologically not-quite-pinned-down
lead?
Our Association's
conventions and publications reflected that commercial or industry
practice. So, geophysics, engineering and lease/land practices along
with general business then had little place in our meetings, papers
and related activities.
This channeled
approach to exploration and production began to change in the 1960s
and 1970s. Some ascribe the softening of geoprofessional boundaries
to the arrival of variable-area recording (VAR) of seismic data.
Suddenly, geologists could (sometimes also read "thought they could")
interpret seis. Other technological advances such as acoustic, neutron
and density logs allowed geologists to act like petrophysicists!
It all
proved to be not quite that simple, but barriers were coming down.
Explaining
the change, other industry professionals pointed to the coincident
explosion of independent oil companies with the oil price spikes
of 1970s and early 1980s. Many of our members learned how to wear
several hats as petro-professionals in small companies. AAPGers
commonly took leases, reviewed seis, picked locations and perforations,
completed wells and operated production.
All this
was a great learning experience — and closer contact with other
disciplines became important. This trend manifested itself inside
large companies with the formation of multidisciplinary teams focused
on exploration/production objectives.
Your Association
led some of these changes. In late 1970 AAPG President Bill Curry
(assisted by DPA President Jim Lewis) and SIPES President Carroll
R. Pope negotiated a conditional reciprocity agreement for members
of DPA and SIPES. This was a landmark recognition that our Association's
interests were expanding with those of our members. This historic
agreement strengthened DPA and SIPES.
Other combinations,
or relationships, developed:
-
Our fledgling group insurance program expanded its partnership
with other societies, eventually including AAPL, EEGS, GSW, AEG,
AIPG, SEPM, SEG and SPE!
- Recently
our sections developed joint conventions with SPE, GSA, COGA and
other industry organizations. (Economic analysis, however, doesn't
support joint annual meetings for the Association at this time.)
Recognizing
the needs of our members, your Association has initiated many commercial
and professional contacts. Our three divisions cover a very wide
range of professional and scientific interests. We participate in
joint committees and task forces with AAPL, SIPES, SPE, SPEE, SEG
and others, addressing the interrelated needs of our members.
Let's make
AAPG even better!