EXPLORER Delegates Primed to Tackle Division Proposal By R. RANDY RAY, Chair-AAPG House <strong>of</strong> Delegates AAPG The upcoming AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in Pittsburgh will be a busy and important time for the House <strong>of</strong> Delegates, which will hold its annual meeting Sunday, May 19. We’ll have several proposals for delegates to vote on, and I will ask delegates to exercise their judgment on a wide range <strong>of</strong> issues affecting AAPG now and in the future. The most prominent proposal will be to form a new AAPG technical division called the “<strong>Petroleum</strong> Structure and Geomechanics Division” (PSGD) (see this month’s President’s Column, page 3). RAY Details <strong>of</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the proposals are available in the April Delegate’s Voice, including discussions by AAPG leaders, and I encourage all delegates to come to arrive well prepared and ready to make I will ask delegates to exercise their judgment on a wide range <strong>of</strong> issues affecting AAPG now and in the future. these historic votes. The business includes: u First, delegates will vote on a Bylaws amendment allowing for flexibility to use an email option in notifying each member, including students and associates <strong>of</strong> delinquent annual dues. This housekeeping change will help Tulsa staff be more efficient and cost-effective in accomplishing membership notifications. The full language <strong>of</strong> the amended wording is available for review at aapg. org/bylawschanges.cfm. u Second, delegates will consider a proposal to change the boundary between AAPG’s Asia Pacific and European Regions, which would result in five central Asians countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – moving to the European Region from the Asia Pacific Region. The proposal was made because these countries have a better alignment <strong>of</strong> geologic interests and pr<strong>of</strong>essional activity with the European community. In recent years giant oil fields have developed in this area and the geologic community is becoming increasingly active. Leadership in both Asia Pacific and Europe agree with the change. u Third, the proposal for a new technical division comes from the Executive Committee, with its full support. Background: The <strong>Petroleum</strong> Structure and Geomechanics Division began as a group <strong>of</strong> people who have been meeting informally at AAPG annual meetings since 1997, under the leadership <strong>of</strong> AAPG members Peter Hennings and current elected editor Stephen Laubach. The group has grown to over 200 geologists who are interested in aspects <strong>of</strong> structural geology, including faulting, fracturing and seals, which are influenced by rock mechanical properties. This also incorporates the study <strong>of</strong> stresses and pressures at reservoir level that affect drilling and completion procedures. Geomechanics has broad appeal and will interest current members as well as draw new members to AAPG from other pr<strong>of</strong>essional disciplines with overlapping interest. u Fourth, approval <strong>of</strong> Affiliated Society status has been requested by the Ghana Institution <strong>of</strong> Geoscientists (GhiG) and the Myanmar Geosciences Society, to be presented by Ed Rothman, chair <strong>of</strong> the Resolutions Committee. This is routine HoD business – and it shows the continuing growth <strong>of</strong> AAPG as a global geoscience community. u Finally, delegates will vote on new <strong>of</strong>ficers for the HoD who will begin service immediately following the HoD adjournment. The candidates are: HoD Chair-Elect p Paul Britt, independent geologist and president, Texplore, Houston. p David Dolph, team lead-Global Exploration, Nexen <strong>Petroleum</strong> International, Calgary, Canada. HoD Secretary/Editor p Mark Rainer, senior geologist, Jones Energy, San Diego. p Dan Billman, president, Billman Geologic Consultants, Mars, Pa. 54 MAY 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG I encourage delegates to come prepared to vote on these proposals that will guide AAPG’s future. EXPLORER
AAPG EXPLORER WWW.AAPG.ORG MAY 2013 55