October Luncheon

Please RSVP by 3:00pm on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Reservations made after the deadline will incur an additional fee of $10.

LOCATION: In-Person luncheon meeting will be held at the Bush Convention Center. Virtual meeting on Zoom. 

TOPIC: Becoming a 21st-Century Geoscientist - Brian W. Horn, Managing Director, Hatteras Energy Group and Past President, AAPG

ABSTRACT: Since the first observations of the geologic record scientists have sought to understand earth history, time and the interaction between the dynamic allocyclic and autocyclic earth processes (weather, climate, erosion, uplift, tectonics, subsidence, biology, inter-planetary influence). Most historical and early observations were field based, a skill that has largely been lost among geologists today but continues to drive subsurface models that seek to explain observations.

As technology has progressed, geoscience knowledge has made significant changes in understanding of earth processes primarily through extractive industries (mining, petroleum, hydrology). These industries have led to the development of human flourishing, eliminating poverty, sickness and longevity. While problems remain, and environmental challenges exist much of the emphasis on remediation is focused on a ‘static’ view and earth model – something that has never existed. While rates of change have increased, there are many unknowns in the earth’s history and thus the denominator of any rate should be thoroughly evaluated given a ~4.5-billion-year earth history.

So how do university students and young professionals interested in geoscience, engineering, chemistry, physics or biology prepare to be part of the scientific community of the future? What are the skills necessary and what is the best way to prepare yourself for the future in a scientific endeavor?

I will share my career story. The mistakes, wins, people who influenced my career and some of what I have learned along the way as a petroleum geologist. These lessons apply to most any job pursuit. I will share examples of great technical projects, regional geologic analysis, petroleum system discoveries and what I pursue as I strive to be a twenty-first century geoscientist.

BIO: Brian Horn is CEO and Managing Director of The Hatteras Energy Group and Past President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2025-26). During his 25+ years of global exploration and production experience he has held senior leadership roles at Cairn Oil and Gas in Delhi, India, where he led Exploration, Portfolio and Assurance, and at ION E&P Advisors as Senior Vice President and Chief Geologist. Throughout his career at Amoco, BP and Maersk Oil, Brian has been part of and led new ventures teams. He has shaped exploration portfolios through integrated technical and commercial screening, and advised executives and government leaders across multiple countries. His expertise includes prospect evaluation, basin and play fairway analysis, petroleum systems, reservoir characterization, stratigraphic and seismic correlation, and resource assessment. He holds a PhD from the Colorado School of Mines and MSc and BA degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder.