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April 2000

South Louisiana is actually a whole new exploration frontier. A total of 70,200 wells have been drilled in South Louisiana with a minuscule 0.03 percent drilled to 20,000 feet.

Wyoming Enjoys Coal Gas Play

On the arid high plains of northeast Wyoming, the town of Gillette has become a bona fide boomtown. And it's coalbed methane creating the frenzy. The Powder River Basin has become the site of the hottest natural gas play in the country, a region most so-called experts wrote off as a wasteland for the gas.

China's Bohai Bay Yields Big Finds

Oil companies' activities quietly continue in China. Bohai Bay is one hot spot for drilling featured in this article.

EKHO Well Goes Deep for Gas

Looking deep for new oil -- a strategy that Tri-Valley Oil and Gas is implementing with EKHO No. 1 -- could make them America's deepest oil producer. Spudded Feb. 7 it is on its way to the projected total target depth of 19,500 feet.

Millspaugh Is Named Geoscience Director

Robert C. Millspaugh Jr., former AAPG education department manager, has been named to the newly named position of geoscience director, according to AAPG executive director Rick Fritz.

Rigors Required Before Rig Work

In an ongoing, ever evolving effort to enhance safety, oil companies and service contracts now require everyone going to facilities offshore to pass a survival and emergency training course. EXPLORER Correspondent Kathy Shirley shares her experience. All this for a one-day story!

Emphasis: Annual Meeting

Friedman: A Powers' Connection

In 1964 Gerald M. Friedman moved to Troy, New York. Not only was Troy a center for the industrial revolution but it was the boyhood home of Sidney Powers. Thus, a circle is completed as Friedman will be honored for his continued efforts to keep the science of geology alive for future generations.

Great Flood of '27 Left Its Mark

It started in August 1926, and by September heavy rainstorms had flooded the Mississippi River. John M. Barry will bring this tale to the AAPG annual meeting in New Orleans, first in a lecture and then as commentary during a Mississippi River cruise.

Wetlands Loss Issues to be Aired

No one seems to agree on what should be done about Louisiana's disappearing wetlands. Many say the oil and gas industry are responsible for this loss while others declare it is due to natural causes. These issues will be debated at a forum during the AAPG annual meeting. Causes and possible solutions for this environmental crisis will be discussed.

Paradise and Oil Mixes Nicely

Past experience had left physiologist and naturalist Dr. Jared Diamond the impression that oil and water cannot mix. Devastation of the environment was guaranteed by pursuits of the oil and gas industry ... or so he thought until Diamond traveled to the Kikori River area of Papua New Guinea.

So, Are We Running Out of Oil?

World undiscovered and reserve growth estimates as well as regional undiscovered estimates will be presented in New Orleans.

USGS 'Getting Attention'

Charles "Chip" Groat will be speaking for two different luncheons at the annual meeting. Signs are optimistic at the U.S. Geological Survey where Groat is the director.

Standing Columns

Geophysical Corner

Complexities Can Be Mind-Bending

The first of an occasional series on seismic imaging, is titled "A Practical Approach to Seismic Imaging of Complex Geology." Geophysicists explain their job of transforming information in time into depth so the geologist can make maps and calculate where to drill.

Wildcat Recollections Column

Ideas Give Technology the Edge

In 1977 Rio del Rey is viewed as an area with a future of small fields by Elf and Royal Dutch/Shell; however, Shell's international divisions (Pecten) reports it to be a "meadow of bright spots."

April 2000

Table of Contents

Emphasis: Annual Meeting

Standing Columns

News & Features

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