The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) annual conference and international exposition, which lasts through Friday, is held in the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston where a galaxy of symposiums, exhibitions, student workshops and programs took place.

　　The meeting mainly focused on the upstream energy industry, namely exploration and development. It is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees.

　　More than 380 international energy firms are presenting their latest technologies at their booths. Several Chinese companies including PetroChina's Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), PetroChina's BGP INC., and SinoPec's Geophysical Corporation have also set up their own booths this year.

　　Vice President of RIPED's northwest branch Wang Xiwen told Xinhua it was their first time to attend the exposition. He said he hoped to bring their newly independently-developed applications to their foreign counterparts and seek opportunities for cooperation and business.

　　"China has made great progress in geophysics. We have been following all the latest advancement and cooperating with foreign universities and institutes. We are here to show the world and also learn from the world," Wang said.

　　SEG, founded in 1930 in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the science of applied geophysics and the education of geophysicists.

　　The society, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, fosters the expert and ethical practice of geophysics in the exploration and development of natural resources, in characterizing the near surface, and in mitigating earth hazards.

　　SEG has more than 33,000 members in 138 countries, with its branch in Beijing established in 2008.