All-Convention Luncheon

Monday, October 11, 2010
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cost:  $35

John Hofmeister
Founder and Chief Executive, Citizens for Affordable Energy

“Why We Hate the Oil Companies:  Straight Talk from an Energy Insider”

Abstract.  National public policy efforts to support or expand the nation’s energy system, including supplies, efficiency, infrastructure, and environmental protections, and to deliver “energy independence” have failed over the past four decades, from the Nixon to the Obama administration.  More recently, despite the high oil price “wake up” call delivered to the U.S. during the period 2005-2008, policymakers have been unable or unwilling to address the nation’s energy security, economic competitiveness that comes from affordable energy, and the potential jobs creation initiatives that a sound energy policy would and should deliver.  Given the current trajectory of an aging infrastructure, decades of restrictions on drilling, failure to tackle the obstacles that prevent both more nuclear plant and clean coal plant projects, frittering at the edges of renewable energy, and avoidance of other energy “hard choices,” within the decade the nation faces an unprecedented energy abyss.  By 2020 there will be inadequate supplies of liquid fuels and electricity taking the nation toward inevitable gas lines, brown-out’s, black-out’s, and extraordinary high prices.  The energy abyss will stick around for up to a full decade with all of the national insecurity, economic decline, joblessness, and social malaise that accompanies energy shortages in third world countries.  The nation has to come to grips with its energy future sooner, not later.  The essence of this talk will focus on the three important steps that every person will be invited to take to make the difference the nation and the world needs to ensure energy affordability and availability forever.  The world and this country have more energy than we will ever need.  The energy industry has the people, the technology, and the capacity to produce it.  We can do better than allow or tolerate its rationing and excessive pricing for the narrow political interests of those who govern us.  We need a periodic reminder of who works for whom in a democracy.

Biography.  John Hofmeister, upon retirement from Shell Oil Company in 2008, founded and heads the not-for-profit (501(c)(3)), nation-wide membership association, Citizens for Affordable Energy.  This Washington, D.C.–registered, public policy education firm promotes sound U.S. energy security solutions for the nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policies, and public education on energy issues.  Hofmeister was named President of Houston-based Shell Oil Company in March 2005, heading the U.S. Country Leadership Team, which included the leaders of all Shell businesses operating in the United States.  He became President after serving as Group Human Resource Director of the Shell Group, based in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Special Note:  Mr. Hofmeister, the author of “Why We Hate the Oil Companies:  Straight Talk from an Energy Insider” (2010) will sign copies of his book in the GCAGS Bookstore in the Exhibition Hall during the Icebreaker on Sunday, and after the All-Convention Luncheon on Monday.

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AAPG Divisions Luncheon

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cost:  $40

Les Shephard
Director, Institute for Conventional, Alternative and Renewable Energy, University of Texas at San Antonio

“Conventional, Alternative, and Renewable Energy:  Realizing America’s Energy Future”

Abstract.  As global energy demands continue to grow and concerns with greenhouse gas emissions accelerate, the proposed role of alternatives to conventional fossil fuels continues to expand.  In reality, the rate of expansion may not be sufficient to meet our emerging short and mid-term energy needs.  Fortunately, fossil fuels are here to stay, at least for decades to come, and will provide a foundation for the transition that will likely occur.  Systems analyses can provide a framework to understand the critical challenges and opportunities with this transition and provide insights on the impacts of key decisions along the path to an emerging energy future more fully supported by alternative and renewable energy sources.  Technology insertion will have marked impacts on both conventional and “unconventional” fossil fuels and could lead to “unconventional” sources seemingly becoming more “conventional” over time.  As pressures to manage carbon emissions and enhance our energy security continue to increase, coupled systems analyses can illuminate the impacts and complex interdependencies created by emerging alternative energy technologies (e.g., biofuels) and impacts on other resources (e.g., water consumption, energy utilization, etc.).  

The journey to a secure energy future requires the continued, sustained development of all energy resources. This journey will benefit from a systems approach that emphasizes the continued expansion of “persistent, low carbon energy resources (e.g., fossil with sequestration, solar, wind, and nuclear), energy efficiency, carbon reutilization, and sustained investments in science and technology.  Fortunately, our collective experience working on complex earth systems has prepared us well to realize this future . 

Biography.  Dr. Les Shephard was recently named Director of the Institute for Conventional, Alternative and Renewable Energy and will hold the USAA Robert F. McDermott Chair in the College of Engineering at UTSA.  Formerly with Sandia National Laboratories for 28 years, Dr. Shephard was last responsible for the energy, water, and nuclear nonproliferation activities there.

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GCSSEPM and Stricklin Symposium Luncheon

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Cost:  $40

Roger Sassen
Texas A&M University

“Preservation of Methane in Deep, Hot Reservoir Rocks”

Abstract.  How deep can we drill and still find giant methane fields?  Greatly simplified diagrams appeared decades ago that attempted to explain the origin of oil versus gas simply in terms of kerogen type and thermal maturity.  This thinking is now obsolete.   It is vital to better predict the maximum stability field of methane if deep drilling and shale-gas exploration are to be more successful.

Some reservoirs, especially carbonates, contain highly reactive sulfate minerals, which result in thermochemical oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide and other corrosive gases.  Clays and zeolites are catalysts that promote early destruction of methane in fractured black shales.  Pyrolysis Tmax is generally misinterpreted in shale exploration.  In contrast, reservoirs of pure quartz sandstone (and sometimes coal) are the most non-reactive.    

Over half of the prospective volume of the gulf shelf sediment section may be untouched by exploration.  We need to understand the catalytic properties of common reservoir minerals and their effects on the stability of methane.  Given dense-packing of liquid methane at depth, how many giant gas fields are still waiting to be found in the greater gulf area?  There are reasons to be optimistic.   

Biography.  Dr. Sassen is a highly regarded researcher and bold thinker in petroleum geochemistry.  After wartime service as an Army officer, and receiving his M.S. and Ph.D. from Lehigh University, he joined Texaco Bellaire Research Laboratory in 1975, then became Chief Geochemist for the Getty Oil Company in 1978.  After the merger with Texaco, he became Director of the Basin Research Institute at LSU.  Dr. Sassen was then Manager of Geochemistry and Global Consultant for BP Exploration until joining the School of Geosciences at Texas A&M University as Director of Petroleum Research in 1992.  Dr. Sassen now consults and continues his academic research in petroleum geochemistry as Adjunct Professor of Geology and Geophysics.  He advocates using clean-burning methane until alternate energy sources are developed.