In an era when people are more connected than ever to digital devices, and isolation and polarization abound, the effects can be toxic – not only for society, but also for science. Fortunately, there is an antidote – human connection and collaboration. The International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy provides just that: four days of in-person interaction and communication, no screens required.
IMAGE – deemed “the World’s No.1 Geoscience Event – emerged in 2020 when AAPG, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Society for Sedimentary Geology combined their annual meetings. IMAGE has expanded rapidly in its five-year history and the 2025 edition features a multidisciplinary technical program with 1,100 presentations, panel sessions and an exhibition with specialized pavilions focusing on technology, digital transformation, innovation and low carbon energy solutions.
Connection and Collaboration
Paula de Oliveira, AAPG and SEG member, discovered IMAGE during its second edition in 2021.
“We were still coming out of COVID-19 when I first attended IMAGE in Houston,” she said. “What made IMAGE so special for me was the big revelation that I had during COVID that we don’t need much to be happy, but we need connection to be happy. We need connection with our families, communities and societies. IMAGE brought that connection together between AAPG, SEG and SEPM.”
De Oliveira now leads the 2025 IMAGE Steering Committee, serving as SEG general co-chair alongside AAPG General Co-Chair Julian Chenin and an interdisciplinary, multigenerational group of 25 professionals.
“A lot can be said about IMAGE but collaboration for me should be the key,” de Oliveira said. “Like with any impactful project, success comes from working together. At the heart of IMAGE lies a deep belief in teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This initiative isn’t just about data or technology – it’s about people, ideas and the power of connection.”
The Big Picture
Kevin Bradford, IMAGE ’25 commercial skills and education chair, said IMAGE provides a means for a broad community of geoscientists to take in the big picture.
“We are often hyper focused on a particular project, area of study or discipline in our day-to-day careers, but IMAGE brings us back to Earth and provides a new perspective. The conference fosters collaboration by providing time, through technical talks and posters, topical sessions and networking events, to connect with colleagues across the industry,” he said.
A Learner’s Mindset
Bradford described IMAGE programming as both broad and deep in its focus.
“By bringing together major geoscience societies, IMAGE provides a multidisciplinary view, and so it is different from other more narrowly focused events. The conference offers a broad swath of topics and enables attendees to tailor a program that closely suits their needs,” he said.
“Additionally, through educational programs such as short courses and deeper technical sessions offered in post-convention workshops, IMAGE presents an opportunity for continuous development and provokes the learner mindset that geoscientists share with a natural curiosity.”
De Oliveira agreed.
“By bringing together experts from geoscience, engineering, data science and beyond, IMAGE ‘25 creates a shared space where disciplines intersect, challenges are confronted and innovative solutions are born. Having a learners mindset allows for new ideas to make roots in current challenges and make space for new ways of thinking leading to innovation,” she said.
Bradford said IMAGE sessions help him develop skills that serve him in his role as regional discipline adviser of geophysics at Shell.
“As geophysicists, we continue to push the bounds of science as we explore deeper and in ever more challenging environments. One key technology that is undergoing rapid development is full waveform inversion, and through dedicated sessions and workshop programs as we had at last year’s IMAGE, we are able to better share challenges and solutions with colleagues from other independent energy companies, service providers, national oil companies and academia,” he said.
Strategic Solutions
Bob Fryklund, chief upstream strategist at S&P Global Commodity Insights and invited programs co-chair, described IMAGE as a valuable space to connect the technical and business aspects of the energy industry.
“IMAGE brings together geoscientists, engineers and commercial industry workers in a collegial way to learn, talk about and question near and long-term problems that we face in trying to deliver tomorrow’s energy,” he said.
“Because of our industries’ breadth and growing complexity, even small ideas that one learns at IMAGE can help solve large problems in a way one normally doesn’t think about,” he said.
Fryklund will moderate the opening session panel, “Exploration – Dealing with Reservoir Complexities,” featuring a panel discussion with Faisal Bakar, vice president of exploration for Petronas; Chris Olson, vice president and head of exploration for Murphy; Danielle Carpenter, general manager of the Global Exploration Review Team for Chevron; and Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS.
He also will moderate the All-Convention luncheon featuring a leadership dialog with Sylvia Anjos, geoscientist and exploration and production director at Petrobras.
“Sylvia and I will explore the future for geoscientists, her career and thoughts on the future,” he said.
In addition to the sessions he is moderating, Fryklund looks forward to attending the Discovery Thinking forum, with talks featuring the integration of geology and geophysics, and Region Sessions highlighting topics in Africa, Asia Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The case studies and Regional Sessions stand out on applied methods which put it all together, whilst the specialty sessions provide clues to ways to do things differently and apply new technologies.”
Finding Business Opportunities
IMAGE attendees interested in international investment can visit the Global Energy Opportunities Pavilion, a dedicated exhibition area designed for national oil companies, ministries, and government agencies to promote investment opportunities in oil and gas and low carbon energy solutions.
One the GEO Pavilion’s repeat exhibitors Perupetro S.A., the state entity responsible for promoting, negotiating, underwriting and monitoring contracts for exploration and development of hydrocarbons in Peru.
Promotion executive Vilma Ruiz said exhibiting at IMAGE is a wise investment for the company.
“Perupetro participates in IMAGE because it is one of the most important gatherings of exploration geologists globally, providing a unique platform to showcase investment opportunities available in Peru’s upstream sector. It is also an excellent opportunity to learn about exploration and production activities in other countries, as well as their contracting frameworks,” she said.
“IMAGE stands out as a premier venue where key decision-makers in exploration investment come together. The presence of the GEO Pavilion is particularly valuable, as it brings together countries from around the world seeking partners for new ventures, giving each nation the opportunity to present its offerings to a highly targeted audience.”
Ruiz noted that participation in IMAGE has led to valuable connections with companies interested in entering into technical evaluation agreements.
“In recent years, Perupetro has signed three TEAs with TotalEnergies and, most recently, three additional agreements with Erazo Valencia, S.A.S. of Colombia,” she said. “The representatives of Erazo Valencia noted that their first contact with Perupetro occurred during our presentation at IMAGE.”
Expectations for IMAGE ‘25
Ruiz hopes to generate additional business at the event in August.
“We are looking forward to engaging with new companies and reconnecting with those that have shown interest in Peru but are still in the process of evaluating technical information and contractual terms,” she said.
“Our goal is to strengthen Peru’s position as an attractive destination for upstream investment and to initiate meaningful conversations with companies that could lead to future partnerships and agreements.”
Bradford noted how conversations and in-person interactions are some of the most meaningful aspects of IMAGE.
“IMAGE is of great value, providing many opportunities in the space of one week under one roof. However, it does not end there; connections extend beyond the convention through follow up engagements with people and companies met at the event,” he said. “IMAGE provides a spark to rekindle old connections and make new relationships.”
Fryklund agreed, saying he looks forward to “networking with colleagues, new and old, to learn new ideas.”
He also had more specific, and numeric goals for the week. “I’d like two or three new ideas that can help me solve problems that I am working and 5-10 new colleagues to exchange future ideas with,” he said.
Valuable Insights in Uncertain Times
During a time marked by rapidly shifting geopolitical landscapes and economic uncertainty, some might ask why traveling to an attend an in-person convention should be a priority for professionals or their companies.
For Fryklund, rising uncertainty leads to an increased need for information and connection.
“The future is always uncertain,” he said. “What’s different now is that there is a lot more uncertainty. Picking up ideas to help reduce that uncertainty is worth a little investment in time at IMAGE.”
For Ruiz, meeting face-to-face with decision makers is a strong business case.
“IMAGE is widely regarded as one of the most influential events for geoscientists and energy professionals seeking new global opportunities,” she said. “Its reputation, the high caliber of participants, and its strategic location in Houston make it an essential event for anyone involved in exploration and investment decision-making.”
Geosciences and the Future of Energy
Bradford noted how attending IMAGE equips energy professionals to do their jobs better.
“Our industry and its place in society is under ever increasing scrutiny, and by facing challenges and striving for solutions together, we are better positioned to provide the energy that powers society while doing that in a responsible and sustainable way,” he said.
He also shared how IMAGE provides a platform for the younger generation to see the impact they can make by starting a career in applied geoscience.
“There are opportunities to meet with experienced geoscientists and ask questions to begin this exciting career journey,” he said. “I have been proud to participate in mentoring events at several past IMAGE conferences, and it is inspiring to meet the next generation of geoscientists and engineers who share a passion to make a difference.”
De Oliveira said IMAGE represents more than just a technical milestone; it symbolizes forward thinking.
“It’s a platform that not only addresses today’s complex energy questions but anticipates tomorrow’s needs. As the energy landscape shifts under the pressures of climate change, population growth and increasing demand, IMAGE ‘25 serves as a vital lens into both current challenges and the evolving future of energy,” she said.
She added that geosciences hold a crucial role in providing the foundational insights needed to enable reliable and affordable delivery of energy across the globe.
“From understanding subsurface structures to optimizing resource exploration and management, geoscience empowers decision-making that’s grounded in reality and driven by data,” she said.
“The world runs on energy, and IMAGE ensures we’re not only equipped to meet that demand today but are strategically positioned for what lies ahead. Through deep collaboration and future-focused vision, IMAGE brings clarity, direction, and innovation to one of the most critical challenges of our time.”
IMAGE ’25 takes place Aug. 25-28 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
See the program and register online at ImageEvent.org.