The moment is almost here – the
time for all applied geoscientists
to converge on Denver for the
inaugural International Meeting for Applied
Geoscience and Energy. More about this
great new event in a minute.
Yes, we’re still in the age of COVID and
the delta variant is giving all of us pause as
we consider how best to interact personally
and professionally. But I’m pleased to share
that I’m writing this column having just
returned from my third in-person industry
event in a four-week time period. First was
the Unconventional Resources Technology
Conference the last week in July, followed
by the Offshore Technology Conference and
NAPE Summit the third week in August.
The three events were modestly attended
by historical standards – about 4,000
each at URTeC and NAPE and a reported
10,000 at OTC. But the folks that did attend
shared a common experience – a sense
of satisfaction about being back together
in a familiar setting. Presentations were
given, lunches were shared, business cards
were exchanged and a few companies
even hosted receptions for customers and
friends.
Of course, reminders that something
was different were everywhere: in the
facemasks, in the sanitizer stations, in the
no-contact pay stations and in the chairs
marked “reserved for social distancing,” but
the participants just got on with doing what
we do. We just did it with greater care, and it
worked.
Not everyone is comfortable attending a
large event like IMAGE. That’s why you can
watch the talks, connect with friends and
talk with exhibitors online. But for those who
are prepared and ready to see some friends
and colleagues in-person, we really hope
you’ll join us. IMAGE ’21 is worth showing
up for.
What To Expect at IMAGE
IMAGE ’21 is a joint effort by the Society
of Exploration Geophysicists and AAPG –
it’s our new joint annual meeting, conducted
in conjunction with SEPM, from Sept. 26 to
Oct. 1 in Denver and online.
If you’re an applied geoscientist –
someone who uses geoscience to solve
problems, such as finding and producing
oil and natural gas – then this is the
event you’ll want to attend. IMAGE ’21
combines all of the technical excellence
and science of ACE and the SEG Annual
Meeting along with a comprehensive
technology showcase and exhibition, and
the networking to strengthen our global
community and help you make contacts to
advance your own career.
AAPG past President Stephen
Sonnenberg alongside SEG’s Julie Shemeta
serve as the co-chairs for the event, ably
assisted by AAPG vice chairs Catherine
Campbell and President-Elect Steven
Goolsby and SEG Vice Chair Sue Jackson in
leading IMAGE ’21.
It was a major effort by these leaders
and their organizing committees to
integrate the existing ACE and SEG Annual
Meeting programs, and they’re looking
forward to unveiling the sessions for you.
On Sunday, Sept. 26, we’ll kick off IMAGE
’21 with an opening session chaired by
Stephen Sonnenberg and Sue Jackson,
who will orient you to the upcoming three
days of programming. The session will
also feature addresses by AAPG President
Gretchen Gillis and SEG President Maurice
Nessim, who will look to the future of
geoscience and energy.
The future of exploration is how we’ll
conclude the opening session, with Rice
University professor Kirsten Siebach taking
us to the Red Planet. “Exploring Mars with
Curiosity and Perseverance” – the title of
her talk – will showcase her experiences
as a geologist for both the Curiosity and
Perseverance Mars rover missions and how
deepening our understanding of other planets
can help us better understand our own.
Following the opening session head
to the exhibit hall for the traditional
Icebreaker Reception. Meet your friends
and colleagues and visit with our exhibitors
to learn about the latest technology and
solutions to do your job better. It’s been a
long time since we were together – don’t
miss the Icebreaker.
On Monday morning we’ll kick off
the IMAGE ’21 technical program with a
keynote address by Pulitzer-prize winning
author Daniel Yergin.
That will be followed by “The Future of
Oil and Gas” plenary session moderated
by Stephen Sonnenberg and featuring
panelists:
- William Raatz, worldwide chief
geologist and Oxy fellow, Occidental
Petroleum
- Elizabeth Schwarze, VP global
exploration, Chevron and chair of the AAPG
Corporate Advisory Board
- Robert Fryklund, chief strategist
upstream, IHS Markit and vice chair of the
AAPG Corporate Advisory Board
- Hongbin Liu, executive VP, Sinopec, and
- John Ardill, vice [resident – exploration
and new ventures frontier, ExxonMobil
Upstream Business Development.
The technical program of IMAGE ’21
features a host of special sessions and
panels and more than 1,200 technical
presentations – there is something for
everyone at IMAGE ’21.
The Discovery Thinking Forum sessions
are some of the most popular sessions at
ACE and the 24th and 25th editions will be
part of IMAGE ’21.
The first session will focus on the giant
fields discovered between 2010 and 2020
(see related article here). It will be
hosted by past President Charles Sternbach
and AAPG Editor Bob Merrill, who will
introduce the new memoir on these giant
fields, and former VP-Regions John Dolson
who will preview the accompanying Giant
Fields Database. The session will continue
with talks on the habitat of super-giant
fields, the Liza Field in Guyana, the Zohr
gas discovery in the Nile Delta and eastern
Mediterranean, and the Buzios field in the
Santos basin of Brazil.
The second session will feature a lookback
on 25 iterations of Discovery Thinking
forums, a review of adding new reserves
and production in giant fields, discussion of two gas discoveries offshore Tanzania
and several discoveries in Mexico’s Sureste
basin, as well as “the seven habits of the
effective petroleum systems analyst.”
The AAPG Foundation is proud to host
the Michel T. Halbouty Lecture at IMAGE
’21. Charles Sternbach will present a lecture
entitled “Super Basin Thinking: Methods to
Explore and Revitalize the World’s Greatest
Petroleum Basins.” The world is not running
out of hydrocarbons and the new concepts,
techniques and methodologies developed
in super basins can be applied globally to
develop and deliver the energy the world
needs, and in a manner which benefits
mankind and the planet.
COVID Precautions
Before I go, I want to talk a bit about
safety.
As was the case at our URTeC, OTC and
NAPE events, our priority is the health and
well-being of our members, customers, and
staff. Our plan is to comply with all city, state
and federal laws and follow the guidance of
health authorities.
Denver and the Colorado Convention
Center are open for business and eager to
welcome our community of geoscientists.
We will adjust our protocols as new
information becomes available, but while
attending IMAGE ’21 you can expect:
- The use of face masks while
attending events in the Colorado
Convention Center and area hotels to be
strongly encouraged for all attendees,
whether vaccinated or not. (Masks will be
available at registration at no cost.)
- All participants to be asked to
use social distancing and maintain
recommended distances when interacting
with others; the seating in session rooms
will be spaced accordingly.
- Hand sanitizer stations to be located
throughout the facility.
- Surfaces will be frequently cleaned
using products approved by the CDC.
- Medical services to be available
for any visitors feeling poorly or needing
medical attention.
The moment is almost here. Whether
you’re ready to attend IMAGE ’21 in-person
in Denver or plan to stay home, please
register and participate in the meeting. The
committees have done a fantastic job, our
peers are ready to share their knowledge
and experiences, and AAPG and SEG have
invested heavily in the technology and
resources so you can participate from
anywhere with an internet connection. We
need and thank you in advance for your
support.
I hope to see you in Denver.