The PESGB was established in 1964 by a group of like-minded professionals keen to create a community of geoscientists for networking and sharing ideas. Over 50 years later we have members in every element of the subsurface energy industries, and they are active in six continents.

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

White House Pub, Guilford

The GESGB Surrey Branch was set up by Chris Bulley (Ranger) and Tadeusz ‘Boz’ Brzozowski (Phillips) in spring 1997 as a way of getting the Guildford/Woking oil companies to do more joint venturing together and also avoid the ever-increasing travel from London to Aberdeen. Boz in his role as 2nd Vice President suggested there might be GESGB funding available so Chris approached the GESGB and was greeted with a positive response. However, due to the lack of technical content to be covered in the meetings, direct funding by the GESGB was not forthcoming. Undaunted, various companies were approached and in turn agreed to sponsor the first few meetings by paying for the hire of the upstairs room at The White House in Guildford with a little put behind the bar to pay for the first drink of each attendee. Over 60 people from 18 companies in the Surrey catchment area attended that very first meeting.

1998

First PESGB Special Interest Group founded: Africa

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.

In the spirit of ‘education for the public benefit’

• Young Professional Special Interest Group founded
• A group for PESGB members with 10 years or less experience in the industry

2011

• Guy Elliot becomes PESGB Executive Director
• Website was updated to the current format it is in today

Africa Conference 2011

PROSPEX 2011

2013

Stonely Lecture 2013 with speaker Hugh Dennis

2014

• PESGB celebrates its 50th birthday
• Moved offices to 7th Floor, ONE Croydon, 12-16 Addiscombe Road, Croydon CR0 0XT

2016

• Maria Iredale becomes PESGB Executive Director
• Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional Branch founded
• Houston Regional Branch founded

2023

As the result of a landmark member vote, the society changed its name to be more inclusive of the careers of the members, now and in the future, of this exciting industry.

In March 2023 the PESGB became the Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB). The society will gradually broaden its technical programme while continuing with the current activities. The GESGB welcomes all who work in subsurface energy related fields and is keen to explore the exciting technologies that continue to develop across the sector.

This member led organisation serves our industry by providing, networking and knowledge-sharing events, conferences, and workshops.

Though careers in ‘energy’ are constantly evolving, the GESGB aims to be relevant, useful, and beneficial to members at every stage of their careers within the ‘energy’ industry.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: GESGB