American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Encyclopedia
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (or AAPG) is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology
(especially in regard to exploration for and production of petroleum
), to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct. AAPG was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma
. Currently almost 1/3 of its members live outside the United States
.
AAPG publishes the AAPG Explorer magazine and AAPG Bulletin
scientific journal, holds an annual meeting including a technical conference and exhibition, sponsors other conferences and continuing education for members around the world, promotes student involvement in the profession, and provides various other services to its members.
AAPG also includes divisions focused on particular aspects of the profession. These include the Division of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Professional Affairs, and the Energy and Minerals Division.
The association membership has included Harrison "Jack" Schmitt
, a U.S. astronaut who walked on the moon.
for their Journalism Award "for his recent science-based thriller State of Fear
", in which Crichton exposed his skeptical view of global warming
, and for Jurassic Park. Daniel P. Schrag, a geochemist who directs the Harvard University
Center for the Environment, called the award "a total embarrassment" that he said "reflects the politics of the oil industry and a lack of professionalism" on the association's part. The award has since been renamed the "Geosciences in the Media" Award.
The criticism drew attention to the AAPG's 1999 position statement formally rejecting the likelihood of human influence on recent climate. The Council of the American Quaternary Association wrote in a criticism of the award that the "AAPG stands alone among scientific societies in its denial of human-induced effects on global warming."
As recently as March 2007, articles in the newsletter of the AAPG Division of Professional Affairs stated that "the data does not support human activity as the cause of global warming" and characterize the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
reports as "wildly distorted and politicized."
The new statement formally accepts human activity as at least one contributor to carbon dioxide increase, but does not confirm its link to climate change, saying its members are "divided on the degree of influence that anthropogenic CO2 has" on climate. AAPG also stated support for "research to narrow probabilistic ranges on the effect of anthropogenic CO2 on global climate."
AAPG also withdrew its earlier criticism of other scientific organizations and research stating, "Certain climate simulation models predict that the warming trend will continue, as reported through NAS
, AGU
, AAAS
, and AMS
. AAPG respects these scientific opinions but wants to add that the current climate warming projections could fall within well-documented natural variations in past climate and observed temperature data. These data do not necessarily support the maximum case scenarios forecast in some models."
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
(especially in regard to exploration for and production of petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
), to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct. AAPG was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
. Currently almost 1/3 of its members live outside the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
AAPG publishes the AAPG Explorer magazine and AAPG Bulletin
AAPG Bulletin
The AAPG Bulletin is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering geosciences and associated technologies relating to the energy industry. It is an official journal of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.-Abstracting and indexing:...
scientific journal, holds an annual meeting including a technical conference and exhibition, sponsors other conferences and continuing education for members around the world, promotes student involvement in the profession, and provides various other services to its members.
AAPG also includes divisions focused on particular aspects of the profession. These include the Division of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Professional Affairs, and the Energy and Minerals Division.
The association membership has included Harrison "Jack" Schmitt
Harrison Schmitt
Harrison Hagan "Jack" Schmitt is an American geologist, a retired NASA astronaut, university professor, and a former U.S. senator from New Mexico....
, a U.S. astronaut who walked on the moon.
Global warming controversy
In 2006 the AAPG was criticized for selecting Michael CrichtonMichael Crichton
John Michael Crichton , best known as Michael Crichton, was an American best-selling author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted...
for their Journalism Award "for his recent science-based thriller State of Fear
State of Fear
State of Fear is a 2004 techno-thriller novel by Michael Crichton concerning eco-terrorists who attempt mass murder to support their views. The novel had an initial print run of 1.5 million copies and reached the #1 bestseller position at Amazon.com and #2 on the New York Times Best Seller list for...
", in which Crichton exposed his skeptical view of global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
, and for Jurassic Park. Daniel P. Schrag, a geochemist who directs the Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
Center for the Environment, called the award "a total embarrassment" that he said "reflects the politics of the oil industry and a lack of professionalism" on the association's part. The award has since been renamed the "Geosciences in the Media" Award.
The criticism drew attention to the AAPG's 1999 position statement formally rejecting the likelihood of human influence on recent climate. The Council of the American Quaternary Association wrote in a criticism of the award that the "AAPG stands alone among scientific societies in its denial of human-induced effects on global warming."
As recently as March 2007, articles in the newsletter of the AAPG Division of Professional Affairs stated that "the data does not support human activity as the cause of global warming" and characterize the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
reports as "wildly distorted and politicized."
2007 AAPG revised position
Acknowledging that the association's previous policy statement on Climate Change was "not supported by a significant number of our members and prospective members", AAPG's formal stance was reviewed and changed in July 2007.The new statement formally accepts human activity as at least one contributor to carbon dioxide increase, but does not confirm its link to climate change, saying its members are "divided on the degree of influence that anthropogenic CO2 has" on climate. AAPG also stated support for "research to narrow probabilistic ranges on the effect of anthropogenic CO2 on global climate."
AAPG also withdrew its earlier criticism of other scientific organizations and research stating, "Certain climate simulation models predict that the warming trend will continue, as reported through NAS
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, AGU
American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...
, AAAS
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, and AMS
American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences and the advancement of their professional applications. Founded in 1919, the American Meteorological Society has a membership...
. AAPG respects these scientific opinions but wants to add that the current climate warming projections could fall within well-documented natural variations in past climate and observed temperature data. These data do not necessarily support the maximum case scenarios forecast in some models."
Affiliated Organizations
- Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum GeologistsPittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists]The Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to provide a forum for petroleum geologists in the Pittsburgh area to meet socially and discuss technical topics relative to the exploration and development of reserves in the Northern and Central...
- Pittsburgh Geological SocietyPittsburgh Geological SocietyThe Pittsburgh Geological Society, more familiarly known as the PGS, was founded in 1945. Its purpose is to serve the professional interest of the society's membership.-History:...
See also
- Society of Exploration GeophysicistsSociety of Exploration GeophysicistsThe Society of Exploration Geophysicists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the science of geophysics and the education of exploration geophysicists. The Society fosters the expert and ethical practice of geophysics in the exploration and development of natural resources, in...
- List of geoscience organizations
- Society of Petroleum EngineersSociety of Petroleum EngineersThe Society of Petroleum Engineers is a not-for-profit professional organization whose mission is to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources and related technologies for the public benefit and to provide...
- Petroleum Technology Transfer CouncilPetroleum Technology Transfer CouncilThe Petroleum Technology Transfer Council is an American national not-for-profit organization established in 1994 by producers, state organizations and the Department of Energy . While emphasizing the needs of independent oil and gas producers, PTTC’s activities also benefit industry consultants,...
- Fred MeissnerFred MeissnerFred F. Meissner was an American geologist and engineer who contributed to the fields of Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Physics, Mining, Economic Geology, and Fishing.-Biography:Meissner was an honored exploration geologist, college professor at...