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Student Research Symposium and Expo

Student Research Symposium and Expo

The Student Research Symposium and Expo, sponsored by AAPG, will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at the National Weather Center on the OU Norman Campus.

This event includes a poster session for students to showcase their research, awards for poster presentations, a variety of short courses and the opportunity for students to network with potential employers. This event is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Registration

Registration for this event is FREE!

All registrations include one (1) Short Course, one (1) entry into the poster competition and networking. 

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Please note: we do not offer any travel grants or other financial assistance.

Short Courses


Title

Instructor

Short Course 1: Concepts for Fractured and Faulted ReservoirsMolly Turko, Devon Energy
Short Course 2: Critical Minerals and Earth's resourcesHector Lamadrid, Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma
Short Course 3: Geochronology and Thermochronology as Applied to Basin SystemsSarah George and Gilby Jepson, Assistant Professors, University of Oklahoma
Short Course 4: Petrophysical and engineering aspects of subsurface storage for CO2 and hydrogenSon Thai Dang, Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma

Short Course Descriptions

Understanding the impact of faults and fractures is vital to a variety of industries including petroleum, carbon capture, geothermal, and mining. This short course introduces participants to the basics of fracture mechanics and the role of mechanical stratigraphy. By understanding the relationship between faults/fractures and stress, we can start to predict trends in a basin related to the tectonic history. We’ll look at things like fault damage zones and fault geometries, and how these can be used to predict areas of enhanced fracturing and the impact on fluid flow. Lastly, we will discuss what it means for a fault/fracture to be critically stressed and the importance of having a trap and seal in faulted and fractured reservoirs. This short course will include several quizzes and exercises to help establish these vital concepts in hopes that the participants will leave with a better understanding of fault and fracture mechanics. 

The global demand for critical minerals has increased in recent years, driven by technological advancements, the transition to clean energy, and the push for a more sustainable future. This increasing need has highlighted the importance of understanding ore deposits and developing efficient exploration strategies for these essential resources. To address this growing demand and equip geoscientists with the necessary skills, we present an introductory short course focused on critical minerals and ore deposits. The course is designed for entry-level geo-enthusiast students seeking to enhance their knowledge of critical mineral resources and modern exploration techniques. The short course will focus on integrating fundamental geological principles with ore exploration techniques, providing participants with a holistic understanding of critical mineral systems and their economic significance. The course begins with an overview of critical minerals, their definitions, and their role in modern technology and sustainable development. Participants will explore the geologic settings and formation processes of various ore deposit topologies, including rare earth elements (REEs), lithium, cobalt, and strategic metals like Cu, Fe, Al, and other precious metals.

This short course will provide an overview of how geochronology and thermochronology are used to resolve tectonic and thermal evolution of sedimentary basins. Dr. Jepson will introduce students to low-temperature thermochronometers commonly applied to basins. Our focus will be on apatite and zircon fission-track and apatite and zircon (U-Th-[Sm])/He, and how these radiogenic systems are used to reconstruct the thermal and tectonic history of a basin. Dr. George will cover common U-Th-Pb geochronometers. We'll address how these systems are used to provide chronostratigraphic frameworks, resolve sediment routing, and develop tectonic models for basin evolution.

This short course provides a detailed introduction to the petrophysical and engineering aspects of geo-storage, with a specific focus on carbon sequestration and underground hydrogen storage—two critical technologies for mitigating climate change and advancing the energy transition.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties of reservoir rocks and sealing formations under subsurface conditions, which are essential for their suitability as storage and confinement zones in geo-storage systems. The course will delve into the physical processes that govern and modify the geochemical, petrophysical, and geomechanical properties of these formations, which are crucial for effective storage.

Key topics also include the analysis and interpretation of contemporary and advanced rock property measurements, specifically addressing key aspects such as storage capacity, fluid transport, mechanical integrity, and reservoir heterogeneity. These measurements are essential for optimizing the design, system efficiency and operation of geo-storage systems, ensuring both efficiency and safety in their implementation.

This course is designed for students, and researchers seeking a deeper understanding of the subsurface science and engineering principles critical to the development and deployment of carbon sequestration and hydrogen storage.

A student presenting a research poster to a judge.

Poster Competition


Poster Categories

  • Undergraduate
  • Master's
  • Ph.D.

Poster Requirements

  • Max poster size: 42" x 60"
  • Only 1 poster may be presented per person

Abstract Submission Guidelines

During registration, you will be prompted to submit an abstract. Abstracts are only required for those who are participating in the poster contest.

  • Abstracts must include: presenters name, title and affiliation
  • Abstracts should be no longer than 1 page
  • Only 1 abstract may be submitted per person
  • Deadline for submissions: March 7, 2025

Judging Criteria

All posters will be evaluated using the following criteria:

Schedule of Events

The Student Research Symposium and Expo will be held Friday, March 14, 2025.


Sarkeys Energy Center (SEC) is located at:
100 E. Boyd Street 
Norman, OK 73019

National Weather Center (NWC) is located at:
125 David L. Boren Blvd.
Norman, OK 73019

Time

Event

Location

 
8:30 AM - 9:00 AMCheck in for Short Courses and Light BreakfastSEC 714 
9:00 AM - 12:00 PMShort CoursesVarious Rooms in SEC 
12:00 PM - 12:30 PMShuttle to NWCNWC Atrium 
12:30 PM - 1:30 PMLunchNWC Atrium 
1:30 PM - 2:30 PMGroup 1 Poster PresentationsNWC Atrium 
2:30 PM - 3:30 PMGroup 2 Poster PresentationsNWC Atrium 
3:30 PM - 5:00 PMAwards ReceptionNWC Atrium 
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Questions?

Contact Ashley Tullius (tullius@ou.edu) for more information.

Ashley Tullius.
Ashley Tullius

Senior Student Program Coordinator

tullius@ou.edu

Participating Companies

AAPG

Mewbourne Oil Company

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