The latest (July/August/September) 2018 issue of The Professional Geologist spotlights several student members of AIPG Texas Section (more). Inside the front cover, Uziel Rindon (SA-8457), geology student at Stephen F. Austin State University, is pictured with his National AIPG Undergraduate Scholarship Award and his sponsor, Dr. Kevin Stafford. Mr. Rindon’s article, “Why I Want to Be A Geologist”, is found on page 18.
Update: We have just learned from our District IV Representative, Matt Cowan, P.G., that the proceedings, papers, and videos will be available of the conference in the near future.
Original Announcement: An educational conference at the University of Houston main campus is bringing together stakeholders, including business, geoscientists, geotechnical engineers, citizen coalitions, state and federal government agencies to exchange current knowledge and ideas for the future.
AIPG Texas Section is sponsoring two University of Houston-Downtown students for the Conference on Texas Flooding in Southeast Texas: The Science Behind the Floods.
As you know, the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) is currently undergoing their periodic Sunset Commission Review. In preparation for their report, a PG License Work Group that consists of representatives of the Houston Geological Society, AIPG, AEG, AAPG, and Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists has been formed to help coordinate any defense we may need to provide to the TBPG. I’ll be reporting on any activities that come up.
At a recent AIPG-Texas Board meeting, we discussed the matter of annual Texas Chapter dues. Our dues have been $10 since our section re-started in 2013. This is the same level of dues that we had in 2000 as well.
The Board has determined that we need to increase the Chapter dues to $15. We have been busy over the last five years developing and conducting occasional local meetings, field trips, and seminars, and establishing two scholarships programs, i.e., the Foss Scholarship for undergraduate students and the Shoemaker Scholarship for graduate students.
Led by UCOM Chair, Michael D. Campbell, and supported by UCOM Vice-Chair (Industry), Henry M. Wise, and selected members of the UCOM Advisory and Consulting Groups, the 2018 UCOM report will be presented by teleconference at the EMD Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City on the May 19th. For additional information who has contributed from the the Texas Section Section see (more).
The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) proposes amendments to §3.53, relating to Annual Well Tests and Well Status Reports Required. The amendments would adjust the testing requirements for oil wells to minimize the frequency of such tests, thereby reducing the administrative burden for those wells and associated costs to industry. The Commission also proposes amendments to §3.52, relating to Oil Well Allowable Production, to reflect the changes in §3.53.
At its open meeting on April 24, 2018, the Railroad Commission (RRC) proposed amendments to §§3.52 and 3.53 regarding testing requirements for oil wells. The amendments to §3.53 would allow operators to elect not to perform or file a production capability test for a well after the initial test has been filed except in certain circumstances. If the operator elects not to perform such a test, then the RRC would use the results of the most recent test or optional allocation on file with the RRC. Under the proposed amendments, operators would still be required to file the Form W-10 annually to report the status of each well. The proposed amendments to §3.52 would remove references to annual tests to reflect the proposed amendments to §3.53. For more information go to: http://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/45028/prop-amend-3-52-and-3-53-well-testing-sig-042418.pdf
The Railroad Commission is seeking stakeholder input on our first-ever oil and gas monitoring and enforcement strategic plan. This plan assesses the most effective use of the agency’s resources to ensure public safety and environmental protection. The draft was developed by an RRC multi-disciplinary team and can be found at:
http://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/44365/draft-og-strategic-plan-fy2019_final-draft.pdf
Using a web-based survey tool, the Commission is accepting public comments on the first draft plan until 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2018. To submit comments online, complete the survey at:
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4227181/Oil-and-Gas-Division-Monitoring-and-Enforcement-Plan-Comments
Glen A. Collier, P.G., C.P.G., Chair of the AIPG Texas Section’s Scholarship Committee announced that three Texas Section scholarships have been awarded to the following students in Texas:
2018 Gene M. Shoemaker Graduate Scholarship ($2,500.00)
As you may or may not be aware, the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG), like every other board in Texas, undergoes a Sunset Review every four years. The TBPG is currently undergoing such a review. If you have comments, suggestions, etc. about the current TBPG rules, go to: http://tbpg.state.tx.us/rule-review/ for information as to how.
