Science Publications

This article reviews the author’s acquaintance with the literature of economic development, with particular reference to Africa, over the last 50 years. The belief that this development is propelled by the supply of capital, effectively of international aid, is criticized, and emphasis put instead on the effective demand for capital. This demand has been low in Africa; hence much capital investment has been of low or no productivity, and aid has generally failed to fulfil expectations. Aid continues nonetheless, since it serves donor as well as recipient interests and political opposition to it is weak. (more…)

We are glad that Shanmugan has taken time to read and think about our recent article in the AAPG Bulletin. However, the discussion that he has written seems more oriented toward presenting his own sedimentologic ideas than debating whether leaves in deep-water sands can produce viable source rocks, which was the purpose of our article. Nevertheless, we will address some of his questions below. (more…)

Sailer et al. (2006) have concluded that leaves in the upper Miocene turbidite sands were the main source of oil and gas in the deep-water Kutei Basin, East Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia. They have reported that oils from the Kutei Basin have high (4-7) pristane/phytane ratios, suggesting a coaly organic source. (more…)