Two “Discovery Thinking” Forums will be the seventeenth and eighteenth presentations of the AAPG 100th Anniversary Committee’s program recognizing “100 Who Made a Difference.” These Forums, co-sponsored by AAPG’s Division of Professional Affairs (DPA), will feature invited speakers who will describe major and significant discoveries.

A special tribute “Lessons in Exploration Creativity from a Decade of Discovery Thinking Forums” will start the morning program. Scattered throughout the morning and afternoon Forums, we will feature a few brief look back vignettes of representative landmark discoveries featured in Discovery Thinking Forums over the past decade. As a tribute to the accomplishments of more than 100 extraordinary men and women who have participated in these Forums, we will celebrate their successes and recall key lessons relevant to explorers today and in the future.

Each speaker and their colleagues overcame significant business, technical, and professional challenges. Topics to be discussed will include philosophy of exploration, stories from remarkable careers, professional insights, colorful anecdotes, and lessons learned on the path to success. As technology advances and young geoscientists enter our profession, the organizers see continued interest in forums such as these. These forums provide a venue for explorers to discuss the personal side of success and what has been called the “art of exploration.” As always, the audience is fortunate to hear the speakers share abundant technical data and insights derived from costly and hard won experience.

AAPG offers many technical sessions. “Discovery Thinking” forums fill an important gap in how technical and professional skills combine to turn prospects into discoveries. Speakers are encouraged to share personal stories about discoveries they know well, to bring forward appropriate technical data, and to address questions from the audience. As a resource to fellow explorers, many previous Discovery Thinking presentations can be found on the AAPG Search and Discovery website, under the Special Collection tab. http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/specialcollections/discoverythinking.html

This year, AAPG is pleased to present two Discovery Thinking Forums. The morning forum will celebrate New Discoveries in the Western Hemisphere and Gulf of Mexico. The afternoon forum will feature Significant Global Discoveries (outside of the Western Hemisphere). As a headquarters of many global exploration companies, Houston is a great venue to celebrate significant game changing discoveries in the western hemisphere and around the world.

Discovery Thinking Forum, Houston ACE April 3, 2017 (#17)
Chairs: Charles Sternbach and Paul Weimer

New Discoveries in the Western Hemisphere and Gulf of Mexico

• “Lessons in Exploration Creativity from a Decade of Discovery Thinking Forums”, Charles Sternbach, President-elect AAPG
• “Discovery of a Bolivian Foothills Giant Gas Field: Incahuasi”, Philippe Mallard, Total, SA.
• “Redtail Field, A Thermal Anomaly on the Eastern Extension of the Colorado Mineral Belt, Denver Basin, Colorado, John Forster, Exploration Advisor, Whiting (and Mark Sonnenfeld, Mark Williams)
• “Discovery of the Utica Shale—Update on an evolving giant”, Bill Zagorski, Chief Geologist, and Taylor McClain, Senior Geologist, Range Resources
• “A Fresh Look to Exploration and Discoveries in Mississippi Canyon, Northern Gulf of Mexico”, Eric Zimmermann, Vice President – Geology, LLOG

Discovery Thinking Forum, Houston ACE April (#18)
Chairs: Charles Sternbach and Paul Weimer

Significant Global Discoveries

• “The Future of Exploration- The Next Decade” Bob Fryklund IHS, Chief Strategist- Upstream and Pete Stark
• “The Petroleum System of the Mauritania- Senegal Basin”, Dorie McGuinness, Exploration VP- Geology, Kosmos
• “Opening New Oil Basins: A Pattern of Discoveries”, Angus McCoss, Exploration Director, Tullow
• “The Greater Gorgon Area, Northwest Australia: Exploration to Production” Mike McLerie, Geophysical Advisor, Chevron Eurasia Business Unit