The energy at GeoGulf2025 was electric from the moment the first coffee was poured on Sunday morning during the short course led by the fantastic Molly Turko. By evening, the SFA Swinging Axes Jazz Band filled the STEM Atrium with music as geoscientists mingled under the stars – literally – thanks to a live planetarium show hosted during the Ice Breaker. With East Texas wine in one hand and a brisket slider in the other, attendees caught up with old colleagues, met new ones and settled in for the days of science and connection ahead.
Held April 6–9 in Nacogdoches, Texas, the 2025 GCAGS GeoGulf Conference marked a major milestone for both the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and the AAPG Gulf Coast Section. Several firsts made this 74th annual convention stand out: the first time held on a university campus, the first time in Nacogdoches, Texas’s oldest town, and the first public appearance of Texas’s newest State Geologist Lorena Moscardelli. The result was a conference that struck a rare balance: high-level technical excellence paired with warmth, accessibility and a strong sense of community.
Students at the Center
From the start, students were woven into the heart of the experience. Whether giving oral presentations, standing beside posters or asking thoughtful questions in packed sessions, they were met not only with encouragement but with genuine constructive feedback. Many speakers turned their talks into conversations, fostering interactive discussions that often spilled into the hallways, happy hours and field trips.
Professionals were frequently seen outside the student center, enjoying coffee and chatting among students from across campus – one of many small moments that highlighted the informal mentoring that defined the conference.
Intimacy, Access and Academic Energy
GeoGulf2025 felt different in the best ways. Hosting the conference on a university campus brought students and early-career geoscientists into the fold in a natural and organic way – from overflowing oral sessions to a vibrant student poster presence. The Baker Pattillo Student Center proved an ideal venue: large enough to accommodate 400 attendees, yet intimate enough to spark conversation.
The diversity of attendees reflected the diversity of the Gulf Coast geoscience community: industry veterans, academic researchers, students and early-career professionals came from across the region, and beyond. Of the 115 technical presentations, 40 were delivered by students, ranging from undergraduates to doctorate-holders, including international participation from Brazil.
A Conference That Felt Like a Conversation
Throughout the technical program, thematic threads emerged organically – a reflection of both speaker insight and thoughtful session planning. One recurring thread was the Louann Salt, a keystone of the Gulf Coast petroleum system. Talks on salt geochemistry, strontium isotope stratigraphy and the timing of salt deposition across the basin spanned multiple days, creating continuity and deepening understanding as the week unfolded.
But salt wasn’t the only standout. The program spanned an impressive range: deepwater Gulf of Mexico (America), lithium and critical minerals, CCUS, unconventional plays, machine learning and geothermal innovation. Sessions like “Geology of Deepwater Gulf of Mexico,” “Lithium Exploration and Critical Metals,” and the two-part “East Texas Basin Special Session” reflected both regional relevance and future-facing exploration.
Sessions on machine learning, data analysis and AI, carbon capture and storage and “Geothermal and Other Energy Resources” drew especially strong interest, signaling how digital transformation and energy diversification are reshaping the Gulf Coast subsurface conversation.
At the same time, classic topics remained firmly in focus: the Smackover, Wilcox, and Eagle Ford sessions were standing-room only and sparked lively discussion.
Back to Where It All Started
The “East Texas Basin Special Session” was a highlight of the program. Designed to bridge technical talks with hands-on engagement, the Core Workshop gave participants the rare opportunity to examine formations discussed just minutes earlier in presentations. Cores from the Haynesville Shale (Lucy Ko), Pettet Formation (Kelly Hattori), Woodbine (Beverly DeJarnett) and Sub-Clarksville sands (Bo Henk) were laid out for detailed examination. The result was a powerful, immersive experience that brought stratigraphy and structure to life – transforming theory into tangible learning.
This session highlighted what it means to be a Wildcatter: innovation, perseverance, and a little creativity—qualities that have fueled exploration success since the discovery well of the East Texas Basin in 1930. Even further back, the story begins in nearby Oil Springs, Texas, where Lyne T. Barret drilled the first producing oil well in the state in 1866, marking the beginning of Texas’s long and storied relationship with energy.
Fueled by curiosity, grounded in science, and driven by community, GeoGulf2025 reminded us that the past, present, and future of Gulf Coast energy are tightly linked—and East Texas remains right at the heart of it. Innovation will keep this historic basin moving forward and an important part of our energy resources well into the future.
Conversations That Matter
Two well-attended luncheons deepened the conference’s intellectual dialogue. The first, “Geology Meets Technology: Leveraging AI and Big Data for Innovation,” featured a dynamic panel moderated by Hunter Carr and brought together experts across the data and energy spectrum: Jessica Pair, David Thul, Deb Sacrey, Travis Hagler and Ceri Davies. The second, delivered by Moscardelli in her first public appearance since becoming state geologist of Texas, inspired attendees with a message of discovery, leadership and the power of unknown pioneers with “Emerging Energies, Expansions and the New Role of the Subsurface.” The message with both of these luncheons was that innovation, technology advancements and critical needs will continue to drive our industry forward.
An Evening in the Pines
By Monday night, the spirit of community was in full swing. “An Evening in the Pines,” hosted at Fredonia Brewery, drew more than 250 attendees for an unforgettable evening of live music from Seth James, local East Texas food and drink, and a well-timed screening of the UH basketball game projected on the wall. Thanks to generous sponsors, the event was open to all, and it felt like everyone came. The setting was relaxed, the mood electric and the conversations as free-flowing as the beer.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
GeoGulf2025 was more than a conference. It was a reminder of what keeps our profession resilient: the exchange of ideas across generations, the drive to explore new frontiers in geoscience, and the power of community. The GCAGS and its affiliated societies remain at the forefront of advancing Gulf Coast geoscience.
Looking forward, the success of GeoGulf2025 offers a compelling blueprint: deeper engagement with academic institutions, a more integrated student presence and a format that blends tradition with innovation. The energy diversification, digital tools and enduring relevance of conventional exploration all found common ground in Nacogdoches this spring.
The future of Gulf Coast geoscience is collaborative, innovative and very much alive, and for a few days in April, that future was on full display.