Why can't we get any energy conferences at A&M?

I see them held at TCU, BEG at tu, Midland, and Houston.
Hardly ever see much representing by A&M at any conference, even though we have the 1st or 2nd best petroleum engineering in nation, let alone in TX. Our geology program, I feel, has fallen behind compared to other schools.

But there's drilling being done in the area.....we have the facilities. There's no reason not to.

Also companies and people travel from all over to attend.

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Wildfire, Magnolia, Aethon, Comstock, GeoSouthern…

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Both of you just made my point. Wildfire, Magnolia, GeoSouthern are in Houston. Aethon and Comstock in Dallas. Throw in MD America, Chesapeake, Apache, etc who used to operate in the area but had offices elsewhere.

They have some field offices in the area. The engineers, geologists and corporate people work in Houston or Dallas. They typically have a "field day" about once per year. That's it. Those guys are not driving to College Station to check on wells, talk to land owners, etc. They work in a corporate office in Dallas or Houston.

They aren't going to attend a conference in College Station. They can attend conference in their hometown. While there, they can network with 100s of other guys, lots of industry types - all of which are based in their town.

birdman said:

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Quote:

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Wildfire, Magnolia, Aethon, Comstock, GeoSouthern…

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Both of you just made my point. Wildfire, Magnolia, GeoSouthern are in Houston. Aethon and Comstock in Dallas. Throw in MD America, Chesapeake, Apache, etc who used to operate in the area but had offices elsewhere.

They have some field offices in the area. The engineers, geologists and corporate people work in Houston or Dallas. They typically have a "field day" about once per year. That's it. Those guys are not driving to College Station to check on wells, talk to land owners, etc. They work in a corporate office in Dallas or Houston.

They aren't going to attend a conference in College Station. They can attend conference in their hometown. While there, they can network with 100s of other guys, lots of industry types - all of which are based in their town.

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Yeah, this just isn't true. Office employees don't go to the field "once per year".

DUG Haynesville was just held in Shreveport. Over 10 companies had representatives speak at the conference. Want to know how many office out of Shreveport?

I guess I'm confused by the question....what kind of conferences are we wanting A&M to host?

I mean it's an hour and a half away from Houston which, seemingly, has one every month. Something where the professors would discuss newer technology?

Or just something where people get together and bull***** Don't get me wrong, people would attend simply because we went to school there, but what's the value in that? Plus, they already have that with the various career fair activities within each major.

Time for a change

Both, all, just tired of seeing this stuff elsewhere. O&G people will make any excuse to travel. People from DFW, Midland, Denver, etc come down to Houston for conferences. Vice versa.

Bull.
They travel all the time to attend conferences, continuing education, etc....they don't stay where they work....they often prefer to travel, gives them an excuse to get out.

I've been a geologist working for those companies....I would know. You don't just get a "one day a year" field day.

Eh, I'd say most the people I work with don't just travel for the hell of it, aka look for any excuse to travel.

People are busy, plus they have families and lives.

Then there's the fact they have budgets.

I know everyone's different, but most my coworkers don't even go to local conferences unless there is a specific value in it that they see.

I've had the opposite experiences.

Doesn't even have to be a conference. Would be nice for some continuing education courses too.

I'm interested in what you are suggesting, Dark Knight. The Student SPE has an unbelievable schedule of activities which includes interfacing with industry folks. However, I like the idea of conferences attended by industry where faculty and students get interaction. I'd be very interested in your ideas. Seriously, please provide some input. I think I can float these with the appropriate folks if warranted.

I'm not sure I have any good ideas on this. Would just be nice to bring in companies for talks. Talks on technology, talks about regional drilling and geology. To hold continuing education courses, like Nautilus or Petroskills. Monthly geo or engineering talks. Happy hours...etc.

There's not a local geo society other than the student one, but that one doesn't seem very active these days. I'm sure the petroleum engineering groups are more active. So lack of nearby professional organizations does put a damper on it all.

Also to my point, if Wichita Falls can hold events and have a geo society, there's no reason why College Station can't. They are having the SWS AAPG convention in May.