Who we are?
In 1994 eminent geoscientists of international repute gathered in Karachi and decided to establish a local chapter of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), which is one of the world’s largest geological associations and has over 30,000 members in 116 countries. AAPG was founded in 1917 and has been a pillar of the worldwide scientific community. The original purpose of AAPG, to foster scientific research, advance the science of geology, promote technology, and inspire high professional conduct, still guides the Association today. Currently, the world’s largest professional geological society with over 30,000 members, AAPG provides publications, conferences, and educational opportunities to geoscientists and disseminates the most current geological information available to the general public. AAPG has six regional sections in the United States composed of the affiliated geological societies in the area and six international regions which include Association members as individuals or as a group of affiliated geological societies. Each section and region has its own officers and meetings and provides a forum for discussion of the geologic issues pertinent to the region. The local chapter was named as
Pakistan Association of Petroleum Geoscientists (PAPG).
Purpose of PAPG
The purposes of this Association are to advance the earth sciences especially as they relate to petroleum, natural gas and other subsurface fluids and mineral resources, to promote the technology of exploring for, finding and producing these materials in an economically and environmentally sound manner, to foster the spirit of scientific research throughout its membership; to disseminate information relating to the earth sciences and the associated technology of petroleum, natural gas, and other subsurface fluids and mineral resources; to inspire and maintain a high standard of professional conduct on the part of its members; to provide the public with means to recognize adequately trained and professionally responsible earth scientists and to advance the professional well-being of its members.
PAPG has grown up to more than 1000 members, representing E&P companies, G&G services companies and universities, across the country.
After overcoming the initial teething problems, the PAPG membership started growing; several distinguished short lectures were arranged during the very first year. First ever convention was held in 1997 which was focused on “Under Developed Basins of Pakistan”.
During the following years, organization arranged couple of field excursions to famous geological locations. These field trips were actively participated by the young as well as very experienced geoscientists. A well attended structural geology workshop was held in Islamabad. In 1998 PAPG with collaboration of PPEPCA arranged first ever Petroleum Convention, focusing on the Petroleum Policy and Fields Case Histories. Outcome was high class presentations which were presented in an excellent memoir. Subsequently, PAPG and SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) jointly organized annual technical conferences from 1999 to date. Those joint conferences proved highly successful and attended by hundreds of participants from the E&P industry, academician and government bodies.