Title: How to Write a Good Scientific Paper

Instructors: Dr. Richard Patience and David J. Curry

Date: November 10, 2026

Time: 12:00am - 1:30pm

Location: Virtual

Cost: Members: $50; Honorary and Students: $25

Abstract:

This presentation is given by Drs. Richard Patience and David Curry. They are native English (British and American) speakers who have, between them, over 80 years’ experience in writing scientific reports and papers. They are also highly experienced in peer reviewing and editing scientific papers written by other authors. In addition, for this presentation, they have searched the internet for tips and advice from other such guides. These experiences have given them key insights into how to write meaningful scientific articles. The goal of this presentation is for the attendees to better understand how to prepare a scientific paper that will be published, read, and cited. Even authors who are experienced and/or native English speakers may find some useful ideas, as the presenters did when preparing this.

The presentation is divided into three main parts:  structure, language and content. Each part also includes examples of both good and poor usage.

Structure: What goes into a scientific paper, how to organize the paper in a logical and focused manner, and how to write it.

Language: Some insights into the English language; how to write sentences and paragraphs; passive vs active voice or form; use of AI/translation software; common mistakes in style and writing.

Content: What information goes in which place; what does not go in which place; data tables; figures; captions references

About the speakers:

David J. Curry received his M.A. in Chemistry from Rice University and his Ph.D. in chemistry (organic geochemistry) from the University of Texas at Austin. Subsequently, he worked in geochemistry and basin modelling roles in research and exploration for several international oil companies, including Exxon/ExxonMobil, HRT,  and Devon.

David has authored or co-authored over 30 publications in journals including Organic Geochemistry, AAPG Bulletin, Fuel, Energy and Fuels, and Marine and Petroleum Geology and has made numerous presentations at international meetings such as the IMOG, International AAPG, and Hedberg conferences. In addition, he has organized and acted as session chairs for international meetings, and edited proceedings volumes.

David has peer-reviewed papers on geochemistry and basin modelling for several journals, including Organic Geochemistry, Geochimica Cosmochimica Acta, AAPG Bulletin, Fuel, and Marine and Petroleum Geology. He is also a technical editor for Albion Publishing USA, a company that specializes in editing and polishing papers written by non-native English speakers. 

Dr. Richard Patiencehas a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Durham University, U.K., and a Ph.D. in Organic geochemistry from Bristol University, U.K.

His career in the oil industry started with BP in the U.K. from 1985 to 1991. From there he joined Statoil (now Equinor) in Norway from 1991 to 2001. Then he moved to Houston, USA to work for first Unocal and then Chevron (after they merged with Unocal) from 2001 to 2015. Thereafter he worked as a consultant for first APT in Norway (2015 to 2022) and then Chevron (2022 to 2025).

Richard has been Associate Editor and Reviewer of scholarly journals such as Marine and Petroleum Geology (former Associate Editor), Organic Geochemistry (former Associate Editor), and reviewer for others such as AAPG Bulletin, Fuel, and Petroleum Science and Technology.

He has over 60 publications in peer-reviewed journals, plus many abstracts in conference proceedings, and has given multiple presentations at conferences.

Richard has also been organiser and session chair at a number of conferences, such as URTeC, IMAGE, the Gordon Conference, several IMOG meetings.

Richard is also the owner of Albion Publishing USA, a company that specializes in editing and polishing papers written by non-native English speakers.