Presidential Column

This will be the last RECORDER before our summer break (July and August) and we will be returning in September. Most things related to the Society shut down during July and August, as most of us will be taking summer holidays and trying to get a little R&R. However, the CSEG office does stay open through the summer and Sheryl or Jim can be reached at 403- 262-0015, cseg.office@shaw.ca or visit the website at http://cseg.ca/.

As seems to be the trend these days, our commodity markets are all over the map. Lately it has been the European economy and particularly Greece and Spain that seem to be weighing on our economic stability. However, the world economy is extremely complicated and tying the various global economies to oil and gas prices and demands is a daunting task. Last month I was writing about $106 barrels and one month later oil is at $90/bbl. Oil price volatility is something we have all learned to accept but in the last 3 years or so it has gone to a new level of uncertainty.

Closer to home, the Canadian seismic sector is relatively robust and there is reason for optimism. Seismic activity for the summer looks stable and slightly ahead of previous years. According to my informal survey, most acquisition companies are looking at having one to three crews at work this summer. Furthermore, many companies are already looking at bids for the coming winter season. The microseismic industry seems poised for growth with hydraulic fracture monitoring (HFM), reservoir monitoring (RM) and earthquake monitoring (EM) all gaining momentum and attention. Downhole , surface and buried array microseismic technologies all seem to be gaining acceptance and poised for growth.

The following is a convention summary prepared by our convention manager Shauna Carson.

Once again the CSEG, CSPG and CWLS came together to produce an excellent convention with GeoConvention 2012: Vision, and this year was another great success, with over 4,000 delegates enjoying some or all of the 5 day event.

With almost 250 oral presentations, over 100 posters, and 19 core displays up at the ERCB Core Research Centre, the 2012 technical program had something to interest all delegates. Highlights included the honorary sessions for Drs. Eric Mountjoy and Cindy Riediger, as well as the CSEG special session on Thursday, which featured invited speakers from around the world addressing issues of interest to today’s geoscientist. The judging & awards committee is in the process of finalizing the industry and student award winners for best oral and poster presentations; these awards will be distributed at the June luncheons, so please congratulate the winners in person if you are in attendance!

Dr. Michael Byers addressed delegates during Monday’s luncheon with a keynote talk on sovereignty issues in the Arctic, which led to an interesting Q&A period, and LGen Romeo Dallaire addressed a capacity crowd on Tuesday with a thought-provoking and inspiring talk that prompted delegates to give a standing ovation, and which was the topic of discussion for the rest of the week among many in attendance.

Registration was another key success of Vision 2012: as mentioned already over 4,000 delegates took part in this year’s event, but this included over 3,000 paying delegates, as well as over 400 delegates who took advantage of the advance sale of complimentary exhibit floor passes. Student registration alone jumped over 80% over last year to a total of 373 delegates, with a further 78 student presenters in attendance. Returning events like the Challenge Bowl, as well as the new Student Travel Assistance Program and Industry/Student Luncheon will ensure this is a continuing trend.

Speaking of students, the Earth Science for Society exhibition returned to the TELUS Convention Centre in 2012 as well. Featuring interactive, hands-on exhibits that allows younger students to, among other things, explore for fossils and try gold-panning, this program attracted over 350 members of the general public as well as over 1,300 junior high students over its three-day run.

In addition to registration, the two other main revenue streams of the convention are exhibits and sponsorship. Thanks to the hard work of both these committees, budget numbers were exceeded in these areas. The exhibit floor was sold out this year, with a waiting list of companies eager to attend in the future. Foot traffic was increased by bringing bars and food stations into greater prominence on the floor, and creating more of an event out of the evening receptions which took place Monday and Tuesday night. The Sponsorship Committee worked to develop new opportunities to better fit the needs of our industry partners, and expanded the advertising opportunities available. Between the successes of these programs, and decreased costs in other areas, the 2012 Convention is well on its way to meeting expected budget targets.

Our thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, from all three societies, that give their time year-round to ensure the success of this event. The convention would not be a success without their hard work and dedication. See you next year for GeoConvention 2013: Integration, May 6 – 10!

And on a final note, there will be many opportunities to socialize and network throughout the summer, including celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. There are numerous activities for our golfing members including the Doodlebug and it’s Inspection Tour, the T-Wave and the Women in Seismic (WISE) golf tournament. And of course enjoying our incredible mountains, plains, lakes, oceans and beaches. Remember, people come to your city and country for once in a lifetime vacations, and you live here! Have a great summer!