AAPG: A Great Show to Meet with Geologists Specializing in the Petroleum Industry

The AAPG 2015 Annual Convention and Exhibition is a great show to meet and communicate with other geologists specializing in the petroleum industry, and learn some of the most recent techniques in the industry. It’s being held by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) and host society the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) from 31 May–3 June in Denver, Colorado. According to John Robinson, the general chair of the event, “the changing energy economy, new technologies, recent discoveries and international events are revising the energy landscape.  Exploration and production activity in the greater Rocky Mountain region is emblematic of these new paradigms in the science, making Denver the ideal city to host this meeting.” If you get to the event a little early, at the opening ceremony you’ll hear about the winners of the global AAPG/AAPG Foundation Imperial Barrel Award competition, an annual challenge in evaluating prospective basins, featuring teams of the top geoscience graduate students from around the world.  The opening session will “unofficially” begin at 3:35 p.m., with a dazzling, spectacular pre-show video — the official premiere of “A Brief History of Colorado Through Time,” produced by the University of Colorado’s Interactive Geology Project, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Colorado Plateau Geosystems.This 25-minute production shows the animated evolution of Colorado’s inspiring landscapes and geology — and will set the regional scene for the convention. There will be over 900 technical presentations that will address a broad range of topics such as petroleum systems and geochemistry, unconventional resources, carbonates and evaporites, siliciclastics, geophysics, energy minerals, structure and geomechanics and discovery thinking. In addition, there will be hundreds of feet of core from major petroleum players that can be examined, and more than 250 exhibitors showing the latest technologies and services. As you discover the most recent techniques in the various seminars offered during the conference, remember to stop by our booth (Booth #1822) for a hands-on demonstration of portable XRF instruments, including those with superior light element detection required for gas shale applications. These analyzers provide exceptional elemental analysis of the mineralization in core and rock samples without helium purge or vacuum. If you bring your rock samples, we can show you how fast you can get accurate analysis results with a minimum of sample preparation. The AAPG conference is being held in Denver, the Mile High City, so there are plenty of activities if you stay some extra days. It’s close to the Rocky Mountains, so hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor activities abound for all levels.  Rocky Mountain National Park is less than a three-hour drive to clear mountain lakes, and alpine tundra.  Closer to Denver, view Red Rocks Park, including the amphitheater made famous by rock bands from the 60’s through the present day.  Not feeling like a hike? Take in the floral beauty at the world class Denver Botanic gardens or join the fans at Coors Field as the Rockies take on the Los Angeles Dodgers for a series June 1-3. Attend the “Night at the Zoo,” sponsored by ConocoPhillips, where AAPG will have exclusive access. There are many restaurants to choose from if you stay in the area.  Near Coors Field, drop in for great food and even better craft beer at the Breckenridge Brewery. (It’s great for lunch, or a dress down dinner.)  Check out Denver’s oldest restaurant, the Buckhorn Exchange, that offers great beef steaks, buffalo, and even elk. Have the rattlesnake appetizer, or some Rocky Mountain oysters for a truly unique dining experience. As John Robinson wrote in his letter, “No matter what stage of your career you will leave Denver reignited in your passion for the geosciences and will be better prepared to face the energy challenges that lay ahead.” Hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it, you can follow the show twitter feed @AAPG or by using the hashtag ‪#‎ACE2015‬.   Show Details: AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition May 31-June 3, 2015 Booth 1822 Colorado Convention Center Denver, Colorado USA