Robert L. Countryman
- Geological
Advisor, Occidental Petroleum, Bakersfield Calif.
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Born 1949, Sioux City Iowa
Academic Training:
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1973 — California State University, Northridge, B.S. geology
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1977 — University of California, Los Angeles, M.S. geology
Experience:
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2001-present — Geological Advisor, Occidental Oil Co.,
Bakersfield
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1999-2000 — Consulting Geologist; Bakersfield
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1987-1998 — Development/EOR Geologist; Chevron USA, Bakersfield
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1984-1987 — Stratigrapher, Venezuela Task Force, Chevron
Overseas Petroleum.
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1979-1984 — Exploration & Production Geologist; Production
Geology Supervisor; Gulf Oil Company, Bakersfield.
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1977-1979 — Research Geophysicist, UCLA, South Pole, Antarctica.
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1973-1976 — Industrial Minerals Geologist, Tenneco Oil
Co., Nevada.
Honors and Awards:
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AAPG Certificate of Merit — 1995 & 1999
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AAPG Distinguished Service Award — 2001
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Honorary Membership; Pacific Section-AAPG — 2000
Professional Affiliations:
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California Registered Geologist #4868
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AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist # 5786
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Certified Earth Scientist (SIPES) #2799
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Member: National AAPG, SIPES, GSA, Houston Geological
Society, Pacific Section AAPG & SEPM.
Affiliated and Associated Societies and Sections:
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Pacific Section AAPG Foundation — Secretary and Trustee
(1998-2005)
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Pacific Section AAPG — President/President-elect (1993-95),
vice-president (1992-93), secretary (1990-91); Membership
Committee chair (1996-2002); Directory Committee chair
(1996-2000); Chair, co-chair, or member on numerous Pacific
Section AAPG committees, conventions, short courses and
other activities.
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San Joaquin Geological Society: President/president-elect
(1984-86); vice president (1983-84); Editor, SJGS Selected
Papers, Vol. 7.
AAPG Activities:
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Member since 1973; Certified Petroleum Geologist.
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1991-present — AAPG House of Delegates member representing
the SJGS, (Delegate Chair; 1992-98); Vice-Chairman (1996-97);
Member Resolutions Committee (1999-2000); AdHoc Committee
on Membership (1997-98); Member Credentials Committee
(1995-96); Member Nomination & Election Committee
(1993-94; 2001-02, 2002-2003).
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1997-2000 — Advisory Council Member; served on a number
of Ad Hoc committees and Ethics reviews.
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1996-present — Membership Committee; Vice Chair (1998
— 2000); Chairman (2000 — present).
Why
I Accepted the Invitation To Be a Candidate for AAPG Office
Being
asked to stand for an AAPG office is obviously a great honor,
and one that I deeply appreciate being extended to me. But
more than an honor, its an opportunity to give something back
to the society and the geological community that is so important
to me. It is an opportunity to be part of the long continuum
of volunteers that have kept AAPG close to its roots.
I
first joined AAPG shortly after attending a Pacific Section
AAPG field conference held in the hills overlooking the Coalinga
Oil field in 1972. After hiking through the outcrops for two
days, I came away extremely impressed with the many oil company
geologists I met. Their knowledge, camaraderie, enthusiasm
and willingness to share what they knew with a bunch of rookie
student geologists really amazed me. This was my first real
introduction to AAPG, and it convinced me that I wanted to
be a part of this organization.
Because
of this experience, I've always felt that one of the principal
things AAPG needs to do, at all levels, is to provide these
kind of low cost opportunities to geologists everywhere. It
is at this one-on-one level that people decide to join and
to become "lifetime members" of AAPG. The opportunity to get
to know and work with other petroleum geologists is one of
the greatest benefits of AAPG membership and also one of the
most rewarding.
During
my career, I have been very involved in the San Joaquin Geological
Society and Pacific Section. I have served as president of
both societies, as well as on numerous committees and in many
other roles. Over the past decade, I've become more involved
with the national AAPG where I have served on the Advisory
Council, in the HoD and as membership chairman. I've enjoyed
every minute of it and this wide background and experience
has educated me in how the AAPG operates while allowing me
to get to know many of the people, both staff and volunteers,
who make AAPG work.
AAPG,
and society in general, is undergoing rapid change — much
of it driven by changes in technology and expectations. While
change is generally a good thing, it sometimes creates frictions.
The past few years in AAPG have been tumultuous ones with
much debate and discourse on what changes to make and which
directions to take. I have had the opportunity to be involved
in some of these debates, and it has convinced me that, in
addition to good ideas, anyone involved in an AAPG leadership
position needs to maintain a calm demeanor, a sense of humor,
a willingness to listen to and to respect the opinion of others,
combined with the ability to negotiate and compromise in order
to meet the greatest needs of our membership.
If
given the opportunity, I would very much like to continue
to apply my experience and personal skills toward finding
the solution for the problems that will face the Executive
Committee in the coming years.