American Association of Petroleum Geologists

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) is one of the world's largest groups for people who study the Earth. It has about 17,000 members in 129 countries. The AAPG was founded in 1917 and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many of its members live outside the United States.

The AAPG works to advance the science of geology, especially how we find and use resources like petroleum, natural gas, and other materials under the ground. They aim to do this in ways that are good for the environment and the economy. Over time, the AAPG has included many areas of science, such as geophysics, geochemistry, and engineering, to help find energy more efficiently and safely.

The AAPG publishes magazines and scientific journals, such as the AAPG Explorer and the AAPG Bulletin. They hold big meetings every year where members share new ideas and technologies. The group also offers education programs and has special divisions focused on environmental science, professional development, and energy resources. Famous members have included Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, a U.S. astronaut who walked on the Moon.

Awards

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists gives out many awards at its yearly meetings and world conferences to honor people who have done great work in petroleum geoscience. Some of these awards are the Sidney Powers Memorial Award, Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award, Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award, Wallace Pratt Memorial Award, and Ziad Rafiq Beydoun Memorial Award.

One special contest the AAPG holds is called the AAPG IBA, or Imperial Barrel Award. This contest is for students studying geoscience. Teams from different universities look at real data about energy sources and give a short talk about what they find. Experts from the industry judge these talks, helping students learn important skills for their future careers. The winners get prizes for themselves and their schools, and they also get to travel to the AAPG’s big meeting for free.

Correlation of Stratigraphic Units of North America

The Correlation of Stratigraphic Units of North America (COSUNA) was a project of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. It made sixteen charts. These charts show how rock layers are arranged across North America. The charts help scientists learn more about the history of the Earth's surface.

Pioneering positions

The AAPG encourages people to explore the earth. Ideas about how oil forms have changed over time. In the 1960s, the AAPG supported the new idea of plate tectonics. This helped explain how oil and gas form in places like basins. Women geoscientists have been important leaders in the AAPG's history.

Since then, the AAPG has worked with groups like the USGS. They use new science to understand oil and gas better. This helped find deep water oil off Brazil and learn more about shale resources. The AAPG also studies safe drilling practices. They have held workshops since 2009 to discuss solutions to challenges. Presentations from these workshops are available online.

Global warming controversy

Further information: Global warming controversy

In 2006, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists gave an award to an author who questioned how humans affect climate change. This made some scientists unhappy.

In 2007, the group changed its view. They agreed that human activity adds carbon dioxide to the air but said there is debate about how much it changes the climate. They also said they support more research to learn more about these effects. They pointed out that some climate changes might also happen naturally.

Affiliated organizations

Organizations can join the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) if they have similar goals and many professional geologists as members. They must also share scientific information through publications or meetings. They cannot limit membership to just one area.

Some affiliated groups include the Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Pittsburgh Geological Society, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, and the Pacific Section of AAPG (PSAAPG).