When AAPG was created more than a century ago, its focus was twofold: First disseminating the science of the emerging field of petroleum geology. Second, the recognition that our members could learn from each other – that’s how science, in fact, advanced – led to the development of an association of like-minded persons dedicated to this purpose.
Science and community – they’ve been the heart of AAPG since 1917.
Historically, AAPG’s Annual Convention and Exhibition has been the principal opportunity for our global membership to gather in the community, sharing the latest science. Twice in the past 48 hours I was asked, “What happened to ACE?”
My answer both times was the same: your annual meeting is now called the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy, and it’s coming up at the end of August.
Now in its third year, IMAGE ’23 is a collaboration of AAPG and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists in conjunction with the Society for Sedimentary Geology, and final preparations are underway for a momentous event in Houston. The momentum is building, and you don’t want to miss it.
What’s in a Name?
Our choice of name for this conference was not accidental. We spent a long time, working with our SEG colleagues, to find a name that inspired and attracted geoscientists not just interested in understanding, but in doing. “IMAGE” reflects those aspirations:
“International”: Our intent for IMAGE is to be the preeminent global geoscience meeting each year. AAPG, SEG and SEPM seek to use this gathering to serve and knit together a global membership of professionals.
“Meeting”: While the emergence of Zoom and Microsoft Teams has changed how we do business, there’s a simple reality that these technologies cannot replace meeting face-to-face. Exchanging views, debating ideas, building friendships and community requires dedicated time and space. We need to get together.
“For”: Our purposes for gathering are intentional, not abstract. We’re together at IMAGE to get things done, to move things forward, to accelerate our progress, to enhance the value we deliver. “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” is not what we’re discussing at IMAGE.
“Applied”: While you’ll find much cutting-edge research and technology at IMAGE ’23, both in the sessions and panels, as well as on the exhibition hall floor, this is not intended to be a purely academic conference – it’s a conference for doers. The value to the world that we deliver as AAPG, SEG and SEPM members is focused on applying our science to solve real problems.
“Geoscience”: We’re geologists and geophysicists, sedimentologists and stratigraphers, tectonic and structural geologists, geochemists and biogeochemists and probably even a few paleontologists. We’ve got many different names, but we all share a desire to understand Earth systems and to use that knowledge for the common good.
“Energy”is one of those goods – sustainable, affordable and reliable energy is what drives the modern world, and it inspires us, too. Petroleum is the most important of those – it’s in our name – and serves as one focal point for the technical program at IMAGE. We’ve also added programming to help our members apply their geoscience skills to new and emerging energy applications.
It’s all there – right there in the name.
The People Making It Happen
IMAGE ’23 isn’t simply a mash-up of the AAPG ACE and SEG Annual Meeting. We’re actually designing a new conference that integrates across the geoscience disciplines and provides attendees with broad exposure to what is happening in our science so that they can adapt it to their particular needs. It’s a work in progress and work that’s being led by our members.
Daniel Sutton of Oxy, representing AAPG, and Lisa Helper of HilCorp Energy, representing SEG, are the general co-chairs for IMAGE ’23. Their leadership and guidance of the Steering Committee as it worked to design and plan this event has been exemplary. We owe them our sincere thanks.
Thanks to the other members of the Steering Committee for IMAGE ’23:
- Aria Abubakar and Aiman Bakhorji, co-chairs of the technical program, supported by their able vice-chairs Wenyi Hu and Mukarram Ahmed
- Howard Harper coordinated SEPM’s involvement in the programu Jessica Parker and Huyen Bui led the industry engagement activities
- Laura Pommer and Meredith Faber co-chaired the strategic panels
- Rebecca Caldwell and Cara Hunter focused on diversity, equity and inclusion
- Tim Prather chaired the commercial skills and educational activities
- Camelia Knapp, Alexandros Savvaidis, and Paula de Oliveira programmed the pavilions in the exhibit hall
- Nicole Gonzalez and Russell Miller led our student and young professionals initiatives
For more than a century, AAPG members have gathered each year to learn and grow professionally, and to make and renew friendships. That tradition continues at IMAGE ’23. Make your plans to join us at the end of this month, from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1 in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Want to use your geoscience expertise to solve global challenges, to provide the energy needed to fuel the world?
Explore new horizons and be inspired to action at the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy – join our community of doers.