Special events

Ongoing
Saturday, 8 November
Sunday, 9 November
Monday, 10 November
Wednesday, 12 November
Field trips
GAC events

Ongoing

Consortium Showcase

You will find universities from around the globe partnered with industry and involved in research to discover innovative solutions for today’s exploration and near-surface puzzles in this area. Other universities are represented around the exhibit hall to promote geologic and geophysical programs.

Saturday, 8 November

SEG Golf Tournament

The 2008 SEG preconvention golf tournament is currently sold out. To be placed on the waiting list, please contact Amy Watson.

The 2008 SEG preconvention golf tournament will be hosted at Primm Valley Golf Club. Here the natural beauty of the land and ultimate challenge of the game come together to create one of the finest golf experiences in the world. A lush green golfers’ paradise has been created in the middle of the desert with distant mountains that shimmer golden in the morning and turn serenely purple against an orange sky in the late afternoon.

The tournament will take place on Saturday, 8 November, at 9 a.m. and will be a Four-Man Texas Style Scramble. The cost is US$200 per golfer until 15 October. After 15 October, registration cannot be made online and the cost increases to US$225 per golfer. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and with this location, you will want to secure your spot right away!

Registration includes breakfast buffet, green fees, cart, polo shirt, great prizes, and luncheon awards reception. Transportation will be provided from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Sunday, 9 November

Honors & Awards Presentation and Presidential Address
Sunday, 9 November 2008, 4–5 p.m.
Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Read more about awards and recipients.

Mike Bahorich, Chair of the Honors & Awards Committee cordially invites you to attend the SEG 2008 Honors and Awards Ceremony to recognize and to honor talented individuals and organizations that have advanced our science and benefited our society.

A few of this year’s key awards are:

Maurice Ewing Medal – John W. C. Sherwood
Honorary Membership – William N. Barkhouse, Rutt Bridges, L. C. (Lee) Lawyer, and Brian H. Russell
Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal – John T. Etgen and Carl J. Regone
Cecil Green Enterprise Award – Billy F. Mitcham Sr.
Reginald Fessenden Award - Paul M. Krail and Dwight V. Sukup
Distinguished Achievement Award – Shell, WesternGeco, SMAART JV
Special Commendation - Richard A. Baile
Life Membership – Klaas Koster, Susan Mastoris Peebler, and Gary G. Servos
J. Clarence Karcher Award - Dirk-Jan Van Manen

Icebreaker/Expo Preview

The Sunday Evening Ice breaker/Exposition Preview (6–8 p.m.) will give attendees an opportunity to meet the exhibitors, map out a plan to visit companies, and renew acquaintances in a casual setting. The Icebreaker will feature hors d’oeuvres and cash bars around the exhibition hall. The hours of the Icebreaker allow attendees to have dinner at one of many restaurants or attend a show in Las Vegas. Admittance is included in all full-delegate and Spouse Program registrations. Separate tickets are available for the Sunday night Icebreaker and the SEG Forum on Monday morning. Cost of the ticket will be US$60.

Monday, 10 November

SEG Forum Series

Managing our groundwater resources for the future
Monday, 10 November, 9 a.m., Mandalay Bay Convention Center

View more information and presenting panelists
View full-page SEG Forum PDF

Throughout its 11-year history, the underlying purpose of the SEG Forum series has and continues to be to bring together a distinguished panel of industry, governmental, and educational leaders for a timely discussion on a subject with wide interest to our industry. In honor of the Near-Surface Section’s Fifteenth Anniversary, this year’s well-known panel of experts will discuss “Managing our groundwater resources for the future.” With this timely subject an international, national, as well as local audience of groundwater industry professionals, is expected. This will be a do-not-miss forum for academic, governmental, and industry geophysicists and nongeophysicists alike. This forum provides an opportunity to listen and then question the panel.

Wednesday, 12 November

Applied Science Education Program
Features Address by Eric J. Barron
“The changing debate on global warming”
Wednesday, 12 November, 10 a.m., Mandalay Bay Convention Center

A special feature of the SEG Seventy-eighth Annual Meeting is the Applied Science Education Program that is free to delegates. The program will take place on the morning of Wednesday, 12 November, with a keynote address by Eric J. Barron. The address will last about one hour.

Eric J. Barron is Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. His research interests are in the areas of climatology, numerical modeling, and earth history. During his career, he has worked diligently to promote the intersection of the geologic sciences with the atmospheric sciences and the field of earth system science. In his address, Barron will explore three facets of the debate on climate change: (1) the range of viewpoints of climate scientists and climate change and their associated uncertainties, (2) predictions from climate models for the next 100 years, and (3) example assessments of the potential range of impacts on ecosystems, water, human health, agriculture, and other important sectors of society.

Plan to participate in this unique opportunity.

Seating is limited!

Diane Brownlee, Applied Science Education Program Chair
DBrownlee@dcccd.edu • +1-972-860-4379

SEG Business Office
Applied Science Education Program Coordinator
8801 S. Yale, Ste. 500, Tulsa, OK 74137
ccrain@seg.org • +1-918-497-5500

Wednesday Night Affair: An Evening au Cirque
Wednesday, 12 November, 5–7 p.m. • Mandalay Bay Convention Center

It is recommended that you buy your tickets early, as this event will sell out.
A magical Vegas night is in store for all! The Mandalay Bay ballroom will be transformed into a swirling circus of eye-popping colors, aerial acts, exotic contortionists, illusionists, and acrobatic tumblers. The Evening au Cirque combined with fantastic food and drinks will make this party a must-attend event! Tickets are US$20 for registered delegates and US$60 for guests. The ticket includes one free drink. A limited number of tickets may be purchased at the Event Ticket Sales booth in Registration after Advance Registration closes.

Field Trips

Each field trip will depart and return to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Register now! On-site registration will not be available for the field trips.

Please note deadlines for each field trip vary.

Field Trip #1: Introduction to hyperspectral imaging, Goldfield and Cuprite Nevada
Date: Thursday, 13 November-Friday, 14 November,
Cost: US$200,
Leader: David Coulter
Deadline: 23 October 2008
This field trip is limited to 25 people.

Airborne hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has been used for many years by remote sensing geologists for scientific and exploration programs. Advances in technology in the past few years have made these data more accessible on a commercial basis. Because these data measure the surface, they have typically fallen into the domain of geologists with remote sensing expertise rather than geophysicists. Our goal is to show that the combination of hyperspectral data and advanced inversion methodologies brings hyperspectral data into the realm of the exploration geophysicist.

This combined tutorial and field trip will exploit a unique combined set of hyperspectral data that covers the visible, near infrared, shortwave infrared and thermal infrared wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The data are acquired as part of an integrated mission that combines the Spectir LLC Prospectir instrument and The Aerospace Corp SEBASS instrument.

The program will consist of an evening of dinner lectures in Tonopah, Nevada by a number of experts in the field of hyperspectral imaging and the Goldfield Mining District. The following day will be dedicated to field visits in the Goldfield Mining District and Cuprite alteration system south of Tonopah. Field trip stops will allow the results of the hyperspectral survey to be integrated with field observations.

Thursday night accommodations are included in the field trip fee.

Field Trip #2: NevadaTest Site
Date: Friday, 14 November,
Cost: US$70
Leader: Dan Hollis
Deadline: 29 August 2008
This field trip is limited to 45 people.

Sixty-five miles from Las Vegas is the Nevada Test Site (NTS) – a massive outdoor laboratory and national experimental center and the former nuclear explosive test site. The NTS use has diversified into programs such as hazardous chemical spill testing, emergency response training, conventional weapons testing, and waste management and environmental technology studies.

On Friday, 14 November, SEG is offering a field trip to the NTS. Attendees will learn about the history of atmospheric and underground testing, visit the test locations, and learn about current programs. A detailed description of the tour can be viewed at http://www.nv.doe.gov/nts/tours.htm.

The tour is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. The NTS is a restricted access U.S. government facility, and prospective visitors must submit a Test Site Tour Badging Form at least eight weeks prior to the field trip. SEG will contact participants directly for this information. Application and registration for this field trip must be submitted by 29 August 2008.

All field trip participants must submit a tour form eight weeks prior to the tour.

Global Affairs Committee events

Four Global Affairs Committee Luncheon Meetings are scheduled during this year’s Annual Meeting. All delegates with international interests are cordially invited to attend and participate in these events. Tickets for these meetings can be purchased in advance (see registration form) or onsite (in limited quantities) at the Event Ticket Sales Booth located in the Registration Area. Attendees will be asked to produce tickets at the events. Please note the costs for luncheon meetings have been reduced through the generosity of our corporate sponsors.

Global Affairs Business Meeting

Monday, 10 November, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Chairman: Michael Burianyk; Vice Chairman: Alfred Liaw
The Global Affairs Committee is the largest SEG committee with more than 130 members and country representatives in more than 70 countries. Please join us in discussions of how to better serve SEG’s increasing global membership.

Africa/Middle East Luncheon Meeting Tuesday, 11 November Cost: US$25 Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center GAC Regional Coordinators: Fela Aromolaran and Susan Webb, Africa; Shivaji Dasgupta and Herminio Passalacqua, Middle East Sponsors: Total S. A.; PGS; BP; Global Geophysical Services Inc.; Schlumberger/WesternGeco; and Weinman Geoscience Speaker: Paul Dirks, Director AfricaArray, Head of School, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa Topic: “Where are they going to come from? Training geophysicists for Africa, in Africa—the AfricaArray model.” Paul Dirks Biography: Paul Dirks serves as the head of the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, a position he has held since 2001. He has been responsible for many improvements to this department, which is the largest of its kind in Africa and includes instruction and research in the fields of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and palaeontology. Most recently he has been a director of the AfricaArray Project, an international and multidisciplinary research and training project designed to investigate the structure and tectonics of the African plate, from the Earth’s surface to the core-mantle boundary. This project was recently highlighted in an article in THE LEADING EDGE. Prior to his appointment at Wits University, he was professor of geology at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, where he was part of a vibrant team of geoscientists committed to high-level research and empowerment of black African scientists. His PhD is from the University of Melbourne (1990), Australia, in the general fi elds of structural-metamorphic geology and tectonics. His MSc (1987) and undergraduate degrees are from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, where he was born in 1962. He is a structural geologist with an interest in geodynamics and the tectonic history of cratonic terrains and adjacent mobile belts, including mineralization patterns.   Latin American/ULG (Latin-American Geophysical Union) Luncheon Meeting Tuesday, 11 November Cost US$25 Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center GAC Regional Coordinators: Ivan Simoes and Sergio Chávez-Pérez, Latin America Sponsors: Gaffney, Cline, & Associates, Inc.; Global Geophysical Services Inc.; PGS; BP; Schlumberger/WesternGeco; and Weinman Geoscience Speaker: Mario Carminatti, Exploration Executive Manager, Petrobras Topic: “Brazil’s exploration outlook after the presalt discoveries” Mario Carminatti Biography: Mario Carminatti was born in Brazil and graduated in geology at the Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 1977. Since 1978 Carminatti has worked for Petrobras in the following positions: coordinator of the pool of projects in exploratory evaluation of petroleum systems in deep water of Brazilian sedimentary basins from 1996 to 1998, New Frontiers exploration manager from 1998 to 1999, NNE exploration manager from 1999 to 2000, UN-RIO exploration manager from 2000 to 2001, exploration manager for Santos Basin from 2002 to 2006, exploration general manager for the South Coast of Brazil from 2006 to 2008, and exploration executive manager - 2008.

Pacific/Asia Luncheon Meeting Wednesday, 12 November Cost: US$25 Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center GAC Regional Coordinators: Shane Coperude and Koya Suto, Pacific; Steve Chang and Apurba Saha, Asia Sponsors: WesternGeco ASA; CGG Veritas; PGS; Anadarko Petroleum Corporation; BP; Global Geophysical Services Inc.; Schlumberger/WesternGeco; and Weinman Geoscience Speaker: Nick Sheard, Carpentaria Exploration Limited, Executive Chairman Topic: “Australia—Becoming a forgotten treasure box” Nick Sheard Biography: Nick Sheard is the executive chairman of Carpentaria Exploration Limited. This company was listed on the ASX in November 2007 and is actively exploring for base metals and gold in the eastern part of Australia. In March 2007, Sheard left Inco Ltd (after 3.5 years), where he was vice president of exploration while based in Toronto in charge of global exploration and in-mine exploration. During his tenure the team made a world class nickel discovery at Reid Brook in Labrador, discovered a new PGM deposit in the Sudbury Basin and added significantly to the company’s resource base throughout all the mines. Previously, he was the former head of worldwide exploration for MIM Pty. Ltd. in Australia. He has exploration and management experience in Australia, South and Central America, the US, China, Indonesia, Philippines, PNG, and Ireland, as well as having explored opportunities in many other parts of the world. His experience includes exploration for copper, nickel, gold, lead/zinc, PGMs, diamonds, and industrial minerals. Sheard graduated from the Flinders University of South Australia in 1974 and his technical background is in geology and geophysics. He has been employed in geophysical positions initially in the BMR (currently called Geoscience Australia), in the Carpentaria Exploration Company, in CRAE; and in 1990, he joined MIM as chief geophysicist. He is also a director of Mirabela Nickel Ltd, a successful Perth-based nickel company listed on the ASX and TSX currently developing a nickel mine from the recently discovered Santa Rita nickel deposit in Brazil. In addition, he is a member of ASEG, AIG, and P Geo.   FSU/European Luncheon Meeting Wednesday, 12 November Cost: US$25 Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center GAC Regional Coordinators: Andrey Bakulin and Aleksei Shevchenko, FSU; Davide Calcagni and Kit Jackman, Europe Sponsors: Paradigm; PGS; BP; Schlumberger WesternGeco; Parallel Geoscience Corporation; and Weinman Geoscience Speaker: Nikolai Baranskiy, Paradigm, regional vice president for Russian and CIS region Topic: “New data analysis technologies for growing Russian upstream activities” Nikolai Baranskiy Biography: Nikolai Baranskiy is the regional vice president of Paradigm for Russia and the CIS region. Before joining Paradigm, he established the partnership GeoTech, a seismic interpretation software development and data processing company. He was the chief executive officer and president of GeoTech before the company was acquired by Paradigm in 1998. He has more than 28 years of experience in the Russian geophysical industry. Prior to establishing GeoTech, he worked at a leading Russian research and development institute, VNIIGeofizika, as a project leader responsible for the development of one of the first Russian seismic data interpretation systems. He earned an MSc in geophysics from Moscow Oil and Gas Academy and a PhD in geology from Sverdlovskiy Mining University.