History of the GESGB

The Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB) and its previous incarnation Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB), has been operating since 1964 and is still going strong today.
Here is a look back at the history of the society, a brief history of the Oil and Gas industry and a timeline of significant events.

History of GESGB- Timeline

History of oil in UK

December 1964

The Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain was founded

1965

First Council: R Dyk, N J Bentley-Llewellyn, H Karren, B M Barlow. D W Williams, W D Gill

Membership around 40

First lectures held at Westbury Hotel– moved to the Geological Society Lecture Theatre

First field trip– organised by BP– led by Prof. Simpson of Exeter University—to the Dorset/Devon coast

Constitution of The Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain

Founding Council & Westbury Hotel

1968

First copy of the directory and newsletter (on record)

18 Sustaining Members

1973

Earliest lecture on record October 2nd: ‘The Significance of Colour Displays in the Direct and Indirect Location of Hydrocarbons’ given by Mr N.A Anstey of Seiscom

1974

First ‘Barbican/PGC Conference (co-organised with GSL, IGS and IP)- attended by 1000 delegates

1980

First Honorary members appointed

1981

Joint Association for Petroleum Education Courses established (jointly with Geological Society & Imperial College)

Lectures by Bob Stoneley & Ken Glennie

1984

Ninety Aberdeen members

First Aberdeen Director Elected- Veronica Emery of University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen lectures began January: Dr. D Naylor of Northgate Exploration Ltd; ‘New Developments in Irish Offshore Petroleum Exploration.’

1985

1600 members

First permanent staff and office established- Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1V 9AG

Karen Whitehead first PESGB Executive Director

1987

Became a registered charity

First PETEX Conference- ‘Computers in Exploration Interpretation’

PETEX is now the major U.K. geoscience exhibition showcasing the latest advances in petroleum technology

1989

PETEX 1989 Pamphlet (EXAMPLE)

1991

Bob Dyk (shortly before he died in 1991)

“It is pleasing to me to see that over the years the Society has gone from strength to strength and has retained its simple concepts. It is, I believe the largest locally based exploration group in the world, excepting possibly Houston. Congratulations to you all.”

1993

Moved offices to Second Floor, Dover Street, London, W1X 3PB

1994

PESGB celebrates its 30th birthday- A book ‘Tales from Early UK Oil Exploration 1960-1979’ is made to recognise the work of the PESGB and the history of the Oil and Gas Industry in the U.K.

PETEX 1994

1997

Surrey Regional Branch of PESGB was founded

Gathered in the White House pub in Guildford

White House Pub, Guilford

1998

First PESGB Special Interest Group founded: Africa

June: one day West Africa Conference

New PESGB logo launched

1999

Data Management SIG founded

Geophysics SIG founded

2000

Gail Williamson becomes PESGB Executive Director

First website created to inform the general public and members of the activity of the society

2001

Joint Association for Petroleum Education Courses ends

Moved offices to 2nd Floor, 41/48 Kent House, 87 Regent Street, London, W1B 4EH

Office staff after the move to Regent Street

2002

PETEX 2002 opened by Prince Andrew, Duke of York

Africa SIG joined links with the Houston Geological Society

2003

First ‘U.K. Prospect Expo’ held

PROSPEX is now held every year

Original intent: to give fledging oil companies a forum to market their prospects

PROSPEX 2017 was attended by over 700 delegates

2004

PESGB celebrates its 40 birthday

Moved offices to 5th Floor, 9 Berkley Street, London, W1J 8DW

2005

Sub Committee for Investment and Disbursements founded- initiated by Doug Fenwick to provide educational benefit to PESGB members and the general public

2006

PETEX 2006 at which rugby star Austin Healy was a guest

2007

Africa Conference organised in Cape Town, South Africa

2008

MSc Sponsorships formalised

A way to actively encourage education in the earth sciences

Involved with the Earth Science Teachers Association– supports their annual conference: a Virtual Seismic Atlas project

PETEX 2008

Geophysical 2008

2009

Marion Scott becomes PESGB Executive Director

2010

Stoneley lectures

The Lecture programme has been named after Professor Bob Stoneley (1929- 2008), eminent geologist, passionate earth science educator and a Past President and Honorary Member of PESGB.