The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), USA holds its annual meeting every year in one of the cities at USA. On this occasion international exposition and technology workshops/courses/oral and poster presentations are also organized on a wide scale. Various Oil exploration and service provider companies, Universities and Institutes engaged in geophysical research activities participate in this gala event.

ONGC has been supporting the cause of development of geosciences through various world bodies and being one of the premiere organizations in the E&P business, participates every year in this mega event by sending delegates and representatives for attending technical proceedings and also exhibit its activities and capabilities in the international showcase.

Geosciences community in ONGC is towing the SEG philosophy in the name of SPG which is an in house forum actively involved in the development of this science and its harbingers. SPG organizes biyearly symposium in India, which invites scientist from across the globe to share their ideas on a common platform. The Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG), India also being one of the associated societies of SEG, USA participates regularly in the international conferences organized by SEG.

This year, SEG's Seventy Sixth Annual meeting and international exposition was held at New Orleans, Louisiana, USA from October 1-6, 2006. A team of five ONGC officers representing ONGC and SPG lead by Shri A. Saha, ED-Asset Manager, who is also President SPG – India attended this year's convention. They participated in the technical sessions, exposition & meetings to gather knowledge about the current trends, latest developments, and applications of technology in the exploration industry. A paper "On the applicability of Gassmann model in carbonates" was presented by Shri Ravi Sharma, Geophysicist, MGO, Mumbai in the technical session on "Numerical and Lab-derived Rock models". The paper was well presented and there were two to three questions which were adequately answered by the author.

ONGC and SPG had booths in the Technical Exposition. ONGC's booth in the International showcase section reflected its growth since inception to becoming of a truly Indian Multinational Energy Company, having presence in 19 countries around the world. The ONGC booth was managed by Sri Anil Srivastava, Manager (Res), Ahmedabad Asset along with Mrs. Anuradha Tiwari, SG(S), SPIC, Mumbai and Sri Om Prakash, SG(S), GEOPIC, Dehradun.

SPG in the booth depicted its activities to promote geophysics in India through various symposiums and seminar on the emerging technologies and other crucial E & P themes. The booth was managed by Sri R.D. Bapat, CG(S), SPIC, Mumbai.

Both the booths were visited by number of delegates and lots of queries were raised on the role and functioning of ONGC and SPG in promoting geosciences and securing hydrocarbons needs of the country. Visitors showed their inquisitiveness about ONGC’s efforts to bridge the gap with special reference to augmentation of production in view of huge gap in demand and supply, about NELP in detail and also about grey areas where induction of new technology is required like deep water, CBM and UCG.

In the PACIFIC/ASIA Luncheon meeting Shri Apurba Saha, President SPG, India delivered a lecture on "SPG-Initiative to promote Geophysics". He talked about the vital role being played by SPG in information exchange & knowledge dissemination, supporting and grooming students of geosciences and bringing in technical advancements and excellence in India. He informed the house about 'Geohorizons' – the technical publication of SPG, India. He also described about the various programs such as DISC, DLP, Continuing Education Programs, workshops, Lecture Series, Biennial International Conference & Exposition organized by SPG, India. Glimpses of the earlier held events were shown. He suggested opening of SEG office in India and also participation of neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan in GAC meeting. He also proposed EAGE – SPG joint workshop in 2007. He also announced about the SPG 2008 going to be held at Hyderabad, India and invited the audience to participate in the event.

The copies of the latest issue - July 2006, of 'Geohorizons' were distributed through SPG, India booth.

Overall it was an enriching experience for the delegates to represent the geosciences community from India and be a part of such eminent gathering coming on a common platform to share the ideas.