From 7 - 10 October 2024, an international geological conference entitled "The Geosciences of the World" was held in Oklahoma City (USA).

"Finding New Oil & Gas The Old Fashioned Way", which was attended by an international group of representatives from science and the oil industry. The theme of the event was geological and petroleum issues affecting two US states, Oklahoma and Texas, but opportunities were also provided to present research findings on similar topics from other regions of the globe.

The conference was combined with an exhibition and trade fair, during which representatives of companies of different sizes presented their services and the results of their research.

The exhibition section of the Oklahoma Convention Center with exhibitors. The vast majority of exhibitors represented local industry and offered geological or exploration-oriented services to the exploration and production industry. Photo Conference organiser

Drill core exhibited by one of the companies showing the source rocks available in the Oklahoma state region, i.e. cherts and Woodford shale. Photo P. Karcz

During this industry event, the Polish Geological Institute-PIB was represented by dr Przemysław Karcz from the Lower Silesian Branch of the PGI-PIB in Wrocław, who presented the results of the project entitled: "Generative character and reservoir properties of rocks in the oil system of Western Pomerania". Poster entitled "Carboniferous Hydrocarbons Plays in the Western Pomerania, Poland", prepared jointly with prof. dr. hab. Grzegorz Nowak, dr hab. Aleksandra Kozłowska, dr Marta Kuberska and Barbara Massalska presented the stratigraphic position and properties of the carbonate and carbonate-silicate source rocks of the Western Pomerania of Poland.

Dr Przemysław Karcz during a poster session with one of the conference guests Raleigh Blumstein of Mack Energy Co. Photo P. Karcz

The conference was accompanied by an extensive package of training and field events. During selected geological excursions, outcrops of the region's most important bedrock were observed; there was also an opportunity to view the historical heritage of the Oklahoma state mining industry.

Outcrops of some of the most important bedrocks in the state of Oklahoma known as the Chert and Woodford Shales. McAlister Quarry location. The photograph shows weathered rocks with a distinct paper-like separation, whose cracks have been filled with bitumen. Photo P. Karcz

Outcrops of bedrock i.e. cherts and Woodford shale at the Wyche quarry, where these rocks are additionally extracted as road raw material. Photo P. Karcz

In the foreground, wooden historic mining equipment at Devon Energy's Heritage Park. Oklahoma City location. Photo P. Karcz

A contemporary oil production site located directly in the Oklahoma City area. Photo P. Karcz

Text and photos: Przemysław Karcz