Re: Industry Biostratigraphic Coordinators-1995 Objectives

[jshane@xxxxxxxxxx (John D. Shane)]

I would like to respond to the comments on "Industry Biostratigraphic
Coordinators-1995 Objectives" submitted by hrlane@amoco.com:


I am generally in agreement with the objectives and goals of the
"Committee".  However, I am slightly amused at some of the rhetoric.
Paleontologists have always, and I mean ALWAYS gotten the short end of the
stick and been the poor stepchildren of geology in industry.

It has also been my experience that anytime a paleontologist attains a
position of authority or status in the in the oil industry they turn their
backs on the working paleo troops.  This may not be concious at first and
not entirely their fault.  Nevertheless, it is real.  I have seen it time
and time again.  We are our own worst enemies!

For this reason, I find it slightly amusing and a bit aggravading that one
of the stated goals is to "Compile a contractor register for vendor
services" and "communicating.  We sense that this is not happening", among
others.

The effort to standardize, compile and make a register of vendor services
is good for the vendors, but please don't fool yourselves into thinking
that this will help employ more company paleontologists.  It simply does
not.  Industry has been going the contractor route more and more in the
past decade and will likely continue to do so with cheaper oil sources
outside the US and restrictive covenants by governments outside the US on
how and what personnel and technology is used.

The price pressure and restrictive covenants by governments outside the US
have huge impacts on technologies like paleontology because it is a
low-tech science and not easily transferred to affiliates and partners.

As to sensing that not enough communicating is going on.  I truly hope that
you don't think that this is new.  There are less and less paleo people
employed in the industry than in the last 20 years.  Even large staffs are
being cut back (e.g., AMOCO).  What is even more alarming and damaging is
that the experienced staff is being drastically reduced.  This has a net
effect of taking the wisdom and experience out of the ranks, especially the
less than 5 year people, who can mentor.

It has been my experience that after reorgs that are going on as we speak.
The people left always want to start something like you are proposing (I am
aware that these goals are not new, so don't flame.  It just seems odd to
me that there is always a renewed push after drastic changes.).

Now, I am not condemming the group for trying to do the things that you are
proposing.  I am just inserting some reality into the situation and perhaps
sounding some frustration with the paleo community, especially the "paleo
managers" group, which has so often failed to protect their own.

I suppose that I am not hopeful for any significant impact from this group
beyond a self-help for those still in the industry.  Please don't get me
wrong.  I am not against the group or its goals.  I am just injecting a bit
of realism and experience (15 years) from being on the inside.