President’s Page- Chris Bulley

I don ‘t know if previous Presidents of the PESGB have had the same experience but it does not seem possible that the first half of the year is almost over and the Council is already into considering what events to plan for 2003. The results of the Members’ Questionnaire are still being collated but your suggestions on future events will be incorporated if practicable and possible. I
would hope to have information on your responses to the Questionnaire in the next Newsletter, before the summer break.
Concerning future events, they have conspired against the Presidents Evening returning to its traditional pre-Christmas slot due to PETEX running in the second week of December. So, to give members a chance to recover from the excesses of the Festive Season, the President ‘s Evening 2002 will be held in late January 2003. The Executive Director is currently looking for a suitable
venue, probably a large pub with plenty of food , but if you have any suggestions then please contact Gail directly.
As mentioned in the last Editorial, a Summer Event is not planned for 2002 but we are well advanced with a Special Meeting at Parliament when Bob Blizzard, the Chair of the all-party Oil & Gas Group, will be hosting a meeting on 20th June held at The Conference Centre, Church House, Westminster. We have previously requested expressions of interest but will be finalising details by e-mail wherever possible. Lets have a good turn-out and perhaps get some reasons for those Budget changes !
Immediately following the Special Meeting I shall be leaving the near tropical climes of southern England for the wilds of NW Scotland as a part of the CNR team to attempt the Energy Day/BG Energy Challenge of climbing 3 mystery peaks and completing a mystery challenge all within 24 hours. Along with several other companies, sponsorship is being raised in aid of Childrens Aid Direct, a charity that helps children worldwide from providing emergency food and baby packs in Kosovo to computer training for young people in Azerbaijan. With a minimum of £5,000 to be
raised per team this is both a great way of raising money for a worthy cause and for individuals within the oil industry to get out and about into the wider world. So if you are approached for sponsorship by any of the participating teams please give generously.
A couple of early notices for your diaries are the Africa Conference on 17- 18 September, which is the first event to be run in conjunction with the Houston Geological Society.
Registration is £250 for members and I would recommend that you get your money in soon as this is bound to be a popular conference, given the number of E&P hot-spots within Africa.
Second, the planning for PETEX is well advanced with both an excellent technical programme and, as ever, a packed technologically advanced exhibition . You can take advantage of the early registration rates of £60 (+VAT) up until 30th August so book now.