This award is presented annually by ISEM to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the understanding of the earth and its resources. The Hedberg Award is supported by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of Venezuela, where Dr. Hedberg devoted many years of his professional life to the discovery of significant oil reserves.

 

2005

Dr. Peter R. Vail is this year's recipient of the Hedberg Award in Energy. Dr. Vail is being honored for developing a principal paradigm that has guided the search for oil and gas worldwide during the last thirty years. After a long career with Exxon, he went to Rice University where he has continued his distinguished career in geology and as a mentor.

 

2004

Dr. Gerald M. Friedman is this year's recipient of the Hedberg Award in Energy. Dr. Friedman was recognized for his significant contributions to research in the energy industry, and for his longtime commitment to education and academic research.

2002-2003

Mr. Marlan W. Downey is this year's recipient of the Hedberg Award in Energy. Mr. Downey was honored for his numerous and significant contributions to the energy industry worldwide, and for his commitment to education.

 

2001

The 2001 Hedberg Award recipient was Dr. Robert J. Weimer, Professor emeritus of Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Weimer was recognized for his influence in the exploration for energy resources, the training of students to enter the field and the application of scientific knowledge to the solution of problems.

2000

The 2000 Hedberg Award honored Dr. Milo Backus, University of Texas Senior Research Scientist and Shell Oil Companies Foundation Distinguished Chair in Geophysics, Dept. of Geological Sciences. Dr. Backus was a major participant in Geophysical Services Inc.'s petroleum exploration when seismic digital technology was introduced. He personally contributed to the development of many of the first seismic processing algorithms.

1999

The 1999 Hedberg Award recipient was Dr. Robert R. Berg, honored for his contributions to our understanding of the earth and its resources. Through his extensive research and professional consulting, he has influenced the petroleum industry; and through his many years of teaching and academic administration, he has influenced generations of exploration geologists.

1998

The 1998 Hedberg Award recipient was Dr. Robert Ginsburg, Professor of Marine Geology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida. Dr. Ginsburg was recognized not only for his teaching and mentoring of new generations of geological scientists but also for his significant and continuing contributions to our knowledge of carbonate rocks.

Past award winners include:

1983: Hollis D. Hedberg
1984: Grover E. Murray
1985: Parke Dickey
1986: Anibal Martinez
1986: Laurence L. Sloss
1990: Sidney Kaufman and Jack E. Oliver (co-recipients)
1991: William E. Fisher
1993: Dr. Roberto Subroto
1994: Digby McLaren
1995: Glen Brown
1996: Gabriel Dengo
1997: James Lee Wilson