History of the PBGS: 2002-2003
OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT: Joe Huck (Conoco-Phillips)
PRES. ELECT: Peter Morton (Veritas)
VICE PRES.: Cynthia Black (Digital Prospectors)
SECRETARY: Jim Burnett (Marathon Oil Co.)
TREASURER: Sammy Barnhill (Dawson Geophysical Co.)
This year started with a luncheon talk from a geologist (Dr. Stephanie Hrbar) discussing the integration of high resolution geophysical data (non-intrusive) with appropriate geologic modeling for environment assessments and groundwater remediation.
Our educational assistance programs included the PBGS scholarship, participation in Earth Science Week and voting on a 3 part school bond proposal (as individual voters, of course,). VP Cynthia Black pushed for our involvement with the Math & Science Booster Club, stressing that awareness of geoscience career opportunities begins in our grade schools. A $250 donation was made and a recent recipient was Honors Physics teacher at Midland High, Chuck Bell. His students presented a brief presentation to our membership at the May meeting on the work they were doing. Peter Morton gave us a reminder on the deteriorating state of older magnetic tapes and a call for reformatting before older data was lost. Other luncheon talks covered 3-D Merging using multiple azimuth attributes in tight sands and a case study of Comanche Ranch Field down in the valley.
The Board was confronted in 2002-3 with a continuing decrease in attendance at the Annual Meeting, and after much discussion a decision was made to hold the 2003 Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Doodlebug in September of 2003. The Board decided to try this and if successful then to make it permanent. The Annual Membership BBQ was also rescheduled in September of 2003.
The January luncheon talk by Daniel D. Hollis took us back 30 years and gave us a review of the change from 24 – 48channel recording to 1000+ channels. Emphasis was given to Sam Allen and Linc Martins’ sign bit recording design.
Member John Daniels reflected on recent changes in our industry and submitted a short article for the newsletter to that effect. Please see the addendum to this history for additional company listings as reported by John. Specifically he addressed the trend of “contraction” as companies are bought out, merged, and ultimately lose their identities and names. With Western Geophysical’s merge with Geco-Prakla, then purchase by Schlumberger and withdrawal of crews from the Permian Basin, we could all relate to his comments, both older and younger members!
Treasurer Jim Burnett gave us a numerical recap of our financial picture showing us with a base foundation of a $50,000 CD to back up our scholarships and program shortfalls. We also have $11,000 in the bank. Our present 350 members provide $7,000/year which currently covers most of the present scholarship and educational programs without disrupting the CD. Even if membership declines we will be in a stable position.
Martha George organized DISC 2003 with Olivier Dubrule presenting “Geostatics for Seismic Data Integration in Earth Models”. Spring luncheon talks covered processing complexities, fracture analysis of a field in Wyoming and imaging seismic data with high resolution gravity.
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