All professions have been undergoing a period of critical self examination in recent times. Some are seeking a definition of their objectives; others, their area of endeavor; and still others their relative position among all this. The profession of geology, if we may call it a profession, is one of those undergoing self examination. Many consider that it suffers from considerable indecision of purpose and definition in the area of its application. The admixture of two separate approaches in the practice of petroleum geology leads to some difficulty in defining the profession. On one hand, we have the idea man, the scientist if you may, whose innovations generate exploratory ventures far removed from normal control data. On the other hand, we have the more usual case of the geologist who deals with more information and compiles it into interpretations from which action is taken. These interpretations may vary from exploratory ventures to field development problems. The latter geologist has a practice in more direct contact with other professions and the shifting economic forces now existent, and he believes he is unduly assailed by these forces and that his profession has not advanced as well as it should.

The importance of ethical conduct and appropriate educational preparation has become a subject of increasing attention of late. The geologist is seeking ways to upgrade his profession. The presence of some directing force or object of leadership is usually required for a profession to advance or elevate itself. The geological profession has no spokesman that can serve this purpose. Some are attempting to solve this problem by forming organizations for regulating professional conduct and definition of professional qualifications. These, emerging throughout the country, demonstrate the interest among geologists in improving their condition. Some of these adventures appear ill-advised, but others appear to have promise.

The college preparation of many geologists is inadequate. The training received during the initial work years of many is incomplete. In response to a temporary high demand for manpower, too many of our universities allowed their standards to depreciate following World War II and the Korean conflict. Industry must share some of the blame for their pressure on the schools to supply this demand, and then for permitting ineptitude in their own ranks.

But these things are behind us and we can't change them now. Strong action is required to remedy the situation. The geologist must probe and examine himself, drag his faults out in the open, and then do something about them. It will do no good to place the blame on others for his condition. The geologists have not asserted themselves as a group; they are divided. The geologist has prided himself on his independence of thought and action, and this is admirable. But if he continues to express this freedom as he has without more responsibility for his standards and definition of purpose he will accomplish nothing. The profession of geology, or science of geology if you must, has been encroached upon or had some lobes of its area of endeavor severed entirely by other professions that are more clearly defined as to their purpose and practice.

The major company employee should not consider that the problem of professional standards is one peculiar only to the consultant or independent geologist. Geologists will, in the final analysis, stand or fall together, and the company geologist does not occupy a position that is unassailable by those problems that bedevil the consultant or independent geologist. Each geologist has a moral obligation to advance and improve his profession and the quality of his science.

Now all has not been sombre. The petroleum geologist has had a remarkable history of success and has invested more hours and energy than most professions in accomplishing this success. His has not been the forty-hour work week. He, with the geophysicist, has provided the framework of ideas, the definition, and direction of an exploration and development program that has continued to inject new reserves into the producing systems of this country and others for half a century. And he has flaunted this success repeatedly in the face of the purveyors of petroleum shortages and doom. He will continue to lead in this endeavor. Look about you bystander, note that the geologist is doing something about his condition without resort to the charity of government or others.

JOHN ALLEN TAYLOR

John Allen Taylor. Born April 22, 1926, Oklahoma City, in pioneer oil family of Oklahoma. MS of Geological Engineering from University of Oklahoma. Naval Service 1943-46 in South Pacific and discharged Lt. (jg). Shell Oil Company 1946-47 in Rocky Mountains; Lane Wells Company 1947, Wichita Falls; instructor of geology 1948-49, University of Oklahoma; Magnolia Petroleum Company 1949-54 at San Antonio, Houston and Dallas; district geologist for Magnolia in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Mt. Vernon, Illinois 1954-59; district exploration superintendent, Mobil Oil Company, Oklahoma City 1959 to present. Member Executive Committee and Chairman of Professional Standards Committee of Oklahoma City Geological Society, Vice-Chairman of Research Committee of Interstate Oil Compact Commission, served as A.A.P.G. district representative and President of South Louisiana Geological Society, Sigma Xi, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, AIME, SEG.

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