What Geophysicists Gain by Attending URTeC

"Integration, literally, that's why the URTeC is successful.” Marianne Rauch joins Andrew Geary to explain why URTeC 2026 matters for geophysicists who want their work to shape real field decisions. She argues that the event’s strength is integration: geology, geophysics, drilling, production, land, service companies, and operators in the same place. That matters now because unconventional development is increasingly driven by better data, AI, cost pressure, and the need to connect technical products to practical outcomes. For students and early-career professionals, the message is direct: broader knowledge can create better ideas, better collaboration, and stronger career options. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Integration drives impact: Geophysical work matters most when engineers, geologists, and production teams understand how to use it in real decisions. > Application is the opportunity: URTeC gives geophysicists a practical view of how seismic attributes, rock properties, pressure estimates, and other products influence drilling and production > AI needs physics and judgment: Emerging tools may change how teams choose locations, drill wells, and manage production, but Marianne warns that AI cannot be trusted blindly. LINKS * Learn more about URTeC -> https://urtec.org/2026/ * Register for the event (22-24 June 2026, Houston, TX, USA) -> https://platform.tpni.com/GcmMaintenance/aapg/Html_Files/30000107/landing.html ABOUT SEISMIC SOUNDOFF Seismic Soundoff showcases conversations addressing the challenges of energy, water, and climate. Produced by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and hosted by Andrew Geary of 51 features, these episodes celebrate and inspire the geophysicists of today and tomorrow. Three new episodes monthly. See the full archive at https://seg.org/resources/podcast/.