American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) is an international professional organization founded in 1917, dedicated to advancing the science of geology and the technologies used in the petroleum industry. With approximately 38,000 members across 129 countries, AAPG includes a diverse range of professionals such as geologists, geophysicists, and academic scholars. Membership is tiered, requiring a degree in geological sciences and relevant experience for full members, while providing options for students and those in related fields. The organization has nearly 100 affiliated societies and operates offices in several major cities worldwide.
AAPG focuses on various subdivisions that address environmental concerns, promote professional development, engage in energy minerals research, and provide educational opportunities. Notably, the organization has taken a position on climate change, advocating for responsible energy practices that aim to minimize the global climate footprint while meeting energy demands. AAPG Explorer, the organization's online publication, contributes to the discourse on climate change, reflecting the complexity and varied perspectives within the membership regarding the industry's role in this global issue.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
- DATE: Established 1917
Mission
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) is an international professional organization that supports research in the science of geology and in technologies used to locate underground reservoirs of oil, manage them, and extract their contents. Its approximately 38,000 members from 129 countries include geologists, geophysicists, oil company executives, university professors, consultants, and students. Of the members, slightly more than half work to find oil reservoirs or develop existing reservoirs. Full membership requires a degree in geological sciences and three years of experience, but there are associate memberships for those lacking practical work experience and student memberships for those pursuing degrees in geology or a related field. AAPG has nearly 100 affiliated societies spanning the globe. Also, there are eleven national or international organizations that hold Associated status with AAPG.
AAPG has offices in Bogota, Dubai, Lagos, London, and Washington, DC. It comprises four divisions with distinct missions. The Division of Environmental Geosciences seeks to keep members up to date on the relation of the petroleum industry to environmental problems through education, support of research on the effects of oil exploration, and the sharing of research with governmental agencies. The Division of Professional Affairs sets ethical standards, provides certifications, and helps in career planning in order to promote professionalism among its members. The Energy Minerals Division fosters research and disseminates information on energy minerals, unconventional hydrocarbons (such as gas hydrates and oil sands), geothermal energy, oil shale, tar sands, gas hydrates, energy economics, and remote sensing. The Petroleum Structure and Geomechanics Division focuses on publishing and educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
Significance for Climate Change
In 2020, the AAPG released a position statement on climate change that was both lauded by members for taking a visible position and criticized by members for not taking a more authoritative and impactful standpoint on how AAPG can offer solutions to global climate change. The AAPG's stated official position in the statement was that the organization should continue its mission of meeting global energy demands, but in a responsible manner that ultimately furthers the goal of reducing humanity's climate footprint. AAPG Explorer, the organization's online publication, has also published articles on climate change.
Bibliography
"About AAPG." AAPG.org. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
Allison, Edith. "Energy Trilemma Expected as Demand Grows." AAPG Explorer. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Jan. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
"Announcing the AAPG Climate Statement." AAPG Explorer, 29 May 2020, explorer.aapg.org/story/articleid/56986/announcing-the-aapg-climate-statement. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
"Energy Minerals Division." American Association of Petroleum Geologists, www.aapg.org/divisions/emd. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
Hyne, Norman J., and Susan E Ormston. Dictionary of Petroleum Exploration, Drilling, and Production. 2nd ed. Tulsa: PennWell, 2014.
Llinas, Emily Smith. "Addressing Challenges, Necessity, and Urgency in CCUS." AAPG Explorer, Mar. 2024, explorer.aapg.org/story/articleid/66893/addressing-challenges-necessity-and-urgency-in-ccus?utm‗medium=website&utm‗source=explorer‗issue‗page. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.
Milam, Ken. "Are There Benefits to Climate Change?" AAPG Explorer, 29 August 2018, explorer.aapg.org/story/articleid/49009/are-there-benefits-to-climate-change. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.