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The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a key region for large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), driven by industrial decarbonization needs, favorable geology, and ambitious national energy transition strategies. As projects evolve from early pilots to commercial developments, the focus is shifting toward building integrated CCUS hubs that connect multiple emitters to shared transport and storage infrastructure. These hub-based models introduce new technical, operational, and commercial challenges that require alignment across subsurface characterization, infrastructure design, and long-term storage assurance. This session will explore how CCUS initiatives in the MENA region are progressing toward scalable and bankable solutions, with a focus on the technical enablers required to move from concept to execution. The discussion will highlight lessons learned in hub development, including storage site selection, pressure management, system integration, and risk mitigation. Speakers will also share perspectives on how multidisciplinary engineering, subsurface expertise, and collaboration across stakeholders are shaping the next phase of CCUS deployment—providing insights relevant to both regional and global audiences.

Moderated by: Christian Winterfield, Lead Petroleum Engineer CCS at Aramco

Speakers:

• Bilal Sheikh: CCUS Business Development Senior Specialist at ADNOC
• Hooman Haghighi: Senior Director – Energy Solutions and Decarbonisation at Wood

This SPE Live session will provide an update on recent developments in OSDU and discuss why data remains critical in the age of AI. As AI use grows, the quality, structure, context, and accessibility of data become even more important. The session will highlight how OSDU is helping advance more consistent and interoperable data practices across the energy industry, while also acknowledging the practical challenges of adoption, standardization, and implementation. It will also touch on how SPE and OSDU can work together to inform members and support broader industry learning around data, digitalization, and AI.

Moderated by: Pushpesh Sharma, Director of Product Management at Emerson Electric (AspenTech)

Speakers: Kadri Umay: Senior Director & Microsoft Azure Data Manager(Energy Team) at Microsoft

In her final podcast as SPE President, Jennifer Miskimins reflects on a year of service, celebrates the people behind SPE’s success, shares updates on the Society’s future, and encourages members to remain engaged in advancing the profession and the energy industry. 

This SPE Live explores the intersection of HSES and Reservoir, two disciplines that increasingly shape the future of responsible and high performance subsurface operations. Our goal is to understand how these areas can jointly reduce uncertainty, improve performance, and support responsible development across the asset lifecycle.

Moderated by Trey Shaffer, 2014-2017 SPE HSE Technical Director. Vice President, Key Clients at Resource Environmental Solutions LLC

Speakers: • Dr. Linda Battalora, SPE HSES Technical Director. Teaching Professor in the Petroleum Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines • Dr. Rahim Masoudi, SPE Reservoir Technical Director. Chief Technical Lead at EnQuest/Veri Energy

This SPE Live brings together the SPE Drilling and SPE Completions Technical Directors for a forward-looking discussion on how the profession is evolving to meet increasing technical complexity, cost pressures, and expectations for safer and more sustainable operations. The session will explore how advances in drilling and completions technologies—alongside digitalization, automation, and data-driven workflows—are reshaping well construction and delivery across conventional, unconventional, and emerging energy applications.

Beyond technology, the discussion will emphasize the people and leadership dimensions of technical excellence. The Technical Directors will share perspectives on cross-discipline integration, workforce capability development, and SPE’s role in fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and professional growth.

Attendees can expect insights on how the drilling and completions communities can work more effectively together to deliver value today while preparing the profession for the energy systems of tomorrow.

Moderated by Robin Macmillan, 2022-2025 SPE Drilling Technical Director. Consultant.

Speakers: • Peggy Rijken, SPE Completions Technical Director. Chapter Manager, Geomechanics Technology Center at Chevron • Sarah Kern, SPE Drilling Technical Director. Director of Strategic Engagement at EIC Rose Rock

This month’s column shares practical ideas gathered from professional sections and student chapters worldwide, including fresh approaches to communication and meeting formats as well as creative ways of building community and recognition. These real‑world examples highlight the diversity of SPE and offer plenty of “food for thought” for leaders looking to strengthen engagement and deliver more value to their members.

 

Production operations are evolving rapidly—from traditional SCADA monitoring to AI-enabled intelligence. In this SPE Live, the SPE DSEA Technical Director and the SPE Production and Facilities Technical Director explore how advances in data infrastructure, analytics, and machine learning are transforming operational decision-making, improving efficiency, safety and shaping the future of intelligent production systems.

Moderated by Silviu Livescu, 2020-2023 SPE DSEA Technical Director. Co-Founder and CTO at Bedrock Energy

Speakers: • Sushma Bhan, SPE DSEA Technical Director. Former Shell CDO of Subsurface/Wells • Greg Stephenson, SPE Production and Facilities Technical Director. Chief Production Engineer at Occidental Oil & Gas Co. (Oxy)

Production data is often treated as a direct measurement, but in practice, it results from a chain of transformations linking reservoir conditions to reported flow rates. Fluid properties defined by pressure, temperature, and composition govern phase behavior and physical characteristics such as density and compressibility. These properties directly influence how flow measurement technologies respond under operating conditions, regardless of measurement principle. The same fluid description is then used to translate measured quantities into engineering outputs such as phase rates, allocation, and well performance. As a result, any inaccuracy or inconsistency in fluid properties propagates through both measurement interpretation and reservoir analysis. As production conditions evolve, changes in fluid behavior can simultaneously affect measurement response and reservoir conclusions, even when the measurement system itself remains unchanged.

This panel will examine the chain from reservoir conditions to reported production data, focusing on how fluid properties influence each step and how inconsistencies propagate into engineering decisions. The objective is to clarify the sources of uncertainty and how to better align measurement and reservoir workflows in practice.

Moderated by: Lester Yi, Lead Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical (IC&E) Engineer at ExxonMobil

Speakers:

• Muhammad Navaid Khan: Senior Specialist in Reservoir Engineering ad ADNOC
• Amin Amin: Chief Operating Officer at Belsim Engineering

This month's podcast features an update on SPE’s path to financial sustainability: stronger revenues, new partnerships, and emerging opportunities—from geothermal initiatives to AI-driven licensing—are improving the outlook. While challenges remain, recent progress highlights a more resilient Society and a forward-looking strategy focused on long-term member value.

Join us for this SPE Live hosted by SPE’s Education and Accreditation Committee where our panelists will discuss how Petroleum Engineering (PE) education changes have been driven by technological innovations and the evolving energy landscape. We will examine how PE programs are integrating new topics while continuing to value traditional engineering skills. The session will showcase changes to educational curricula that address critical themes such as energy growth, AI advancements, and industry evolution. Please join this discussion on how PE education is shaping the future of geo-energy skills, and more importantly, explore how industry practitioners could be engaged in this process.

Moderated by Juliana Leung, SPE EAC Chair. Professor, Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics in Subsurface Flow Systems at University of Alberta     Speakers:

• Siyavash Motealleh, Principal Reservoir Engineer at BP AGT
• Peyman Pourafshary, P.E. Professor & Vice Dean of Research and Academic Affairs, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan    
• Marshall Watson, Chair of Texas Tech Bob L. Herd Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University  

As global demand for clean, reliable energy grows, geothermal is emerging as a uniquely capable resource for delivering both firm, low carbon electricity and consistent, long term thermal output. In recent years, the geothermal startup sector has also benefited from a significant increase in investment from both established energy companies and new entrants, strengthening technology development and accelerating field deployment. Advances in drilling, subsurface imaging, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), closed loop designs, next generation heat exchange architectures, and broader technology innovations across the subsurface sector are expanding access to resources in regions previously considered uneconomic or inaccessible. These developments are redefining geothermal’s role across the energy system-supporting industrial heat demands, commercial thermal loads, district heating networks, and dependable baseload power. This SPE Live session brings together leaders in technology innovation, project development, and stakeholder engagement, featuring the COO and Co Founder of Gradient Geothermal, a Technology Specialist from Underground Ventures (UGV), and the Director of Stakeholder Engagement at XGS Energy.

The panel will examine why geothermal heat and power are gaining momentum now, the technical advancements across EGS, closed loop systems, and general subsurface technologies driving that progress, and the practical considerations that shape real world project deployment. Attendees will gain a clear, balanced understanding of geothermal’s capabilities today, the challenges that remain, and the opportunities ahead for scaling both thermal and electric applications.

Moderated by: Katerina Yared, Global Energy Portfolio Lead at 3M Oil & Gas, Carbon Capture, Geothermal

Speakers:

• Caity Smith, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at XGS Energy
• Soraya Bornaz, Technology Specialist at Underground Ventures
• Johanna Ostrum, COO/Co-Founder at Gradient Geothermal

This month’s podcast highlights how artificial intelligence is influencing SPE programming, publications, and new tools, while also transforming day‑to‑day operations across our industry. The column explores energy supply implications and practical field applications, showing how SPE is helping members turn AI into a tool for progress.

The hydrogen sector is expanding across production, storage, transport, and end-use applications. This SPE Live session will examine the technical competencies and multidisciplinary skills required to succeed in this growing field. Young professionals will share their perspectives on industry expectations, emerging job roles, research trends, and how early-career engineers can strategically position themselves for long-term career growth in hydrogen-related projects.

Moderated by: Sonia Lopez Kovacs, Reserves Audit Leader at Repsol Spain   Speakers: Cindy Dianita: Assistant Professor at University of Indonesia Amine Ifticene: Production Engineer at OXY Sarah Wheeler: Research Engineer at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) is a system developed for consistent and reliable classification and categorization of hydrocarbon resources according to technical uncertainty and project maturity and commerciality.

The SPE Oil and Gas Reserves Committee (OGRC) is committed to continuing to provide relevant resources framework to the industry as technology and business drivers change and has received feedback from the public to support the update of the current 2018 PRMS. This SPE live will give an overview of PRMS utilization and its ongoing update.

Speaker: Herman G. Acuña, President at Ryder Scott Company

Moderated by Dan Olds, Managing Senior Vice President at Ryder Scott

What makes SPE membership truly worthwhile? Technical resources, professional development, global networking, and industry recognition—SPE membership offers more than meets the eye. In this month’s column, discover how SPE benefits members at every career stage—and why investing in your membership (or your team’s) pays off long-term.

Energy companies continue to navigate a complex landscape where value creation, volatility management and low- carbon transition must advance in parallel. This SPE Live unites commercial, finance, and reservoir expertise to examine how to allocate capital across conventional barrels, unconventionals, and low-carbon options such as CCS while navigating commodity volatility and policy shifts.

The speakers will explore how subsurface insight informs commercial decisions and how finance teams price risk and option value. The discussion will address portfolio resilience, emissions intensity targets, and pathways to finance CCS. Panelists will also discuss metrics that matter at the board level in 2025 and into 2026, how local geopolitical and fiscal contexts shape decisions, and the collaboration models that help unlock value across operators, midstream, and NOCs.

Moderated by Maryse Jackman, Geoscientist at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries

Speakers:

• Amanda Calleberg, Commercial Advisor at Inter Pipeline Ltd.
• Natan Battisti, VP of Finance at Harbour Energy
• Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelrahman, Senior Reservoir Engineer at ADNOC Onshore

This SPE Live reviews four major events from 2025 ATCE that advanced education, collaboration, and awareness in well integrity and asset integrity. Highlights include the WITS Opening Reception, which drew strong attendance and engagement among well integrity professionals. A featured presentation by Federico Juarez Perales Havtil of the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority focused on strengthening well integrity practices, enhancing corporate risk frameworks, and developing effective training programs to reduce operational costs while improving safety awareness. The episode also references two operator panels: “Well Integrity in Mature Fields: Challenges, Best Practices, and Future Opportunities” and “Wind to Wells – Asset Integrity.” It concludes with acknowledgment of WITS’ presence at SPE ATCE and the announcement of the new WITS Board for the 2025–2026 term.

 

Moderated by: Pierre-Edouard Vincent, Principal Engineer at TotalEnergies

 

Speakers: Hans-Jacob Lund, Global Well Integrity SME at ConocoPhillips Michael Edwards, Founder of EEI Consulting, LLC and SPE WITS Global Liaison Officer Jovan Stojkovski, Department Manager for Well Completions & Well Integrity at OVM Petrom

Petroleum engineering education is at a crossroads, with university enrollments shrinking and a talent gap looming. Take a look at what the data really show about degree trends, why Gen Z is turning away from engineering, and how SPE—from K–12 outreach to lifelong upskilling—is uniquely positioned to impact the industry’s future workforce.

 

The SPE Completions Advisory Committee to the Completions Technical Director (Peggy Rijken) is launching a new knowledge-sharing initiative focused on best practices across various subject areas, presented through a series of white papers. These papers will be authored by subject matter experts (SMEs) and will reference leading SPE publications relevant to each topic. The primary objective is to provide valuable guidance and foundational knowledge for young engineers entering the discipline. The Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Section (HyFTS) is leading the development of the first white paper in this series, covering key topics within hydraulic fracturing. This inaugural paper will be presented and published at the Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference (HFTC) in February 2026.   Moderated by: Foluke Ajisafe, Senior Staff Engineer at Liberty Energy   Speaker: Karen Olson, Consulting Engineer

This session explores how the oil and gas industry can move beyond legal compliance to build inclusive cultures that authentically support employees with disabilities at every level. While policies and regulations provide a baseline, true inclusion requires a deeper, sustained commitment to accessibility, awareness, and organizational mindset shifts. Through dialogue with industry leaders and inclusion experts, participants will gain insights into how companies can foster environments where employees with disabilities are empowered to contribute fully, without barriers or stigma. The discussion will highlight practical strategies, leadership responsibilities, and cultural enablers that support long-term change and innovation in workforce inclusion.

Moderated by Mohammed Althani, Petroleum Engineering Specialist at Saudi Aramco

Speakers: Carlos Sarmiento, Director of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at SLB Tiana Ellwanger, Manager of Engagement, Culture and Diversity at Petrobras

From JPT to SPE Journal, OnePetro to technical guidance documents, SPE’s publishing portfolio is broader and more dynamic than many members may realize. In this column, I unpack SPE’s current publication options, explore how AI and open access are reshaping scholarly publishing, and share what SPE is doing to strengthen paper quality, transparency, and impact in an evolving digital landscape.

 

This SPE Live brings together representatives from an operator, service company, and academia to discuss the future of hydraulic fracturing. Over the past decades we have witnessed enormous progress in the development of unconventional reservoirs. The fundamental question is where are we going from now on and what is next? This SPE Live will shed some light on potential paths for our energy future. We will discuss current progress, challenges that are lying ahead, and what we should do now to get ourselves prepared. It will serve as a great precursor to the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Conference next month (February). Join the online discussion to learn more about where we are heading!

Moderated by: Terry Palisch, Chief Technology Officer, CARBO Ceramics

Speakers: Mukul M. Sharma, Professor, “Tex” Moncrief Chair in the Department of Petroleum, Geosystems & Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin Leen Weijers, SVP of Engineering at Liberty Energy Amit Singh, Senior Team Lead for Hydraulic Fracture Technology at Chevron

The SPE Reservoir Advisory Committee (RAC) convenes over 40 internationally recognized experts to address significant challenges and emerging opportunities in reservoir and petroleum engineering. In this exclusive SPE Live session, RAC-selected leaders will present the committee’s strategic roadmap, spotlight ongoing initiatives in reservoir engineering, CCUS, subsurface characterization, and energy storage, and examine how the RAC is influencing industry best practices and technological requirements amid a rapidly evolving energy sector. These discussions are informed by insights from a recent global survey of SPE Reservoir members. Join our moderated discussion with RAC experts on emerging trends in reservoir engineering, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and digital and low-carbon solutions. Gain practical insights into how RAC advances innovation, shares knowledge, and creates sustainable value across the reservoir field.

Moderated by Zoya Heidari, Professor at University of Texas A&M

Speakers:

Hamid Emami-Meybodi, Associate Professor at The Pennsylvania State University Muhammad Navaid Khan, Senior Specialist in Reservoir Engineering at ADNOC Rahim Masoudi, SPE Reservoir Technical Director. Chief Technical Lead at EnQuest/Veri Energy

What do today’s membership trends mean for SPE? While declining numbers and an aging demographic can be unsettling, the reality is that these challenges are not unique to SPE. As professional associations everywhere face generational shifts, SPE members have an opportunity to hear about the success stories ongoing now and reflect on what will sustain our community in the years ahead.

 

Legacy wells represent one of the most persistent uncertainties in assessing long-term CO₂ storage integrity. This SPE Live brings together regulatory and scientific viewpoints to explore how the risks posed by old wells can be identified, assessed, and managed. The discussion will examine how regulators approach balance assurance and oversight, while also drawing on field observations and scientific advances that reveal how leakage may manifest, migrate, and be naturally attenuated in the subsurface environment. Together, these perspectives highlight the importance of integrating evidence-based science, effective regulation, and collaboration to build confidence in large-scale CCS deployment.

Attendees will gain insights into the regulatory and assurance aspects of legacy wells, but also explore environmental “fingerprint” of leakage, its detectability, and how science-based diagnostics can support regulatory oversight. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts and enhance your understanding of CCS integrity and risk management.

Moderated by Leon Beugelsdijk, Front-End Development Manager, Shell

Speakers:

• Aaron Cahill, Associate Professor of Applied Geoscience and Environmental Risk, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
• Margaret Copland, CS Wells Lead, North Sea Transition Authority

The Permian Basin stands as a cornerstone of the oil and gas industry, both within the USA and on a global scale. Renowned as one of the most prolific oil and gas producing regions worldwide, the Basin’s vast reserves and cutting-edge technologies have cemented its position as a leader in unconventional oil and gas plays. This region not only significantly bolsters the United States energy independence and economic growth but also plays a pivotal role in stabilizing global energy markets.

With thousands of vertical and horizontal producing wells, significant advancements have been accomplished in reservoir recoveries, efficiencies, development strategies, and technology deployments. The 2025 SPE Permian Basin Energy conference will highlight recent advancements, field results, and current challenges and opportunities from active operators within the basin. Attendees will get a unique opportunity to hear about field case studies from technical staff, and operators’ leadership will discuss their strategic plans.

Moderated by Tom Blasingame, Professor and Head of Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University   Speakers:

• Luis Baez, Permian Basin Water Manager at ConocoPhillips
• Johannes Alvarez, Enhanced Oil Recovery Manager in the Shale & Tight Business at Chevron

In her December podcast, Jennifer pulls back the curtain on how the Board actually works, what it takes to get involved, and the key outcomes from our most recent meeting at ATCE in Houston. A little transparency goes a long way.

From today’s actions to tomorrow’s breakthroughs—this SPE Live, hosted by the SPE Integrated Reservoir Management Technical Section, will explore how reservoir management is being reshaped for the decade ahead. The integration of human expertise with artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from concept to reality, creating new opportunities to optimize decision-making, re-tool talent, and unlock competitive advantage.

In this 30-minute dialogue, industry thought leaders will sketch a roadmap from 2025 to 2035. They will discuss how workflows are evolving from static models to adaptive, AI-powered systems, the skills and roles that will define the next generation of reservoir professionals, and the key risks and opportunities facing companies and individuals alike. Whether you are shaping corporate strategy or planning your career, this session will highlight the decisive actions in the next five years that will set the pace for the future.

Moderated by Muhammad Navaid Khan, Chair, SPE IRM Technical Section. Senior Specialist in Reservoir Engineering, ADNOC

Speakers: • Rahim Masoudi, SPE Reservoir Technical Director. Chief Technical Lead, EnQuest/Veri Energy • Sushma Bhan, SPE DSEA Technical Director. Founder & CEO, Accuria Data

The Flow Measurement Technical Section (FMTS), in collaboration with the Integrated Reservoir Management Technical Section (IRMTS), is hosting this SPE Live session to explore the evolving role of Virtual Flow Metering (VFM) as a bridge between production measurement and reservoir management. The discussion will explore how advances in multiphase metering, sensing technologies, and data- driven algorithms are enabling more accurate and reliable virtual measurements, while also providing valuable insights for reservoir performance analysis. By integrating perspectives from both flow measurement and reservoir engineering, the conversation will highlight how VFM can optimize production allocation, improve well and field surveillance, and support real-time operational decisions. Through case examples and technical insight, the discussion will present how VFM solutions are being deployed, validated, and refined to meet the industry’s evolving operational and reservoir management needs.

Moderated by Phani Kondapi, President, Jaajitech Digital

Speakers:

Lars Wollebaek, CTO, Turbulent Flux

Adilbek Mursaliyev, Product Chief, Dereknet

Muhammed Navaid, Senior Specialist in Reservoir Engineering, ADNOC

Our industry’s reputation won’t be rebuilt through campaigns—it will be rebuilt through conversation. This podcast explores how the “20/60/20 Rule” can guide us to focus on the majority who simply want to understand what we do, and why facts alone aren’t enough to change minds.

As the energy industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, leadership plays a pivotal role in driving a sustainable future. Meeting the growing global energy demands while addressing environmental concerns requires leaders to adopt innovative, ethical, and forward-thinking approaches. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Business Leadership Committee proudly presents the SPE Live: “Resilient Leadership for a Sustainable Energy Future.” This 30-minute episode will explore how oil and gas industry leaders can foster resilience, inspire innovation, and embed sustainability into their organizations’ core strategies.

What to Expect: Gain valuable insights from our distinguished speakers as they discuss:

1. Defining Resilient Leadership for Sustainability:

• What it means to lead with resilience and sustainability in the energy industry.
• The role of ethics, long-term thinking, and adaptability in shaping sustainable leadership.

2. Embedding Sustainability into Business Strategies:

• Leadership approaches to integrating sustainability into operations and decision-making.
• The importance of cultivating a skilled and sustainability-focused workforce through education and mentorship.

3. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Strategies for fostering trust, building partnerships, and engaging communities and stakeholders effectively.
• Advocacy and policy engagement to advance sustainability goals.

4. Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Future:

• How leaders can overcome challenges in technology adoption and drive transformative innovation.
• Opportunities for growth and competitive advantage through sustainable practices.

Moderated by Mike Etuhoko, CEO/Founder of Protekz Inc.

Speakers:

• Nicholas Creswell, Former Head of Culture & Talent at Orsted
• Joyce Cacho, Chair, Sistema.bio
• Giorgio Delpiano, Founder, Abeille.ai

Repurposing Idle Oil and Gas Wells to Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Long Duration, Dispatchable and Distributed Electricity Delivery. There are over 39,000 idle oil and gas wells in California. State and local regulators apply pressure to abandon these wells, but their abandonment comes at a significant and often underfunded cost, and many are sources of actual or potential methane emissions. Converting these assets to Thermal Energy Storage Systems (TES) permanently seals off emissions, provides Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) and leverages tax credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for this conversion. Idle oil and gas wells are ideal environments for a TES due to their large volumes and high thermal insulation. The conversion begins with standard abandonment protocols followed by the installation of a novel closed-loop heat exchanger system within the wellbore.

Using surplus renewable electricity during peak production periods, RHTHPs transfer high-temperature TES into the borehole. This stored energy can later be dispatched through above-ground Carnot Battery systems, enabling flexible LDES independent of geothermal gradients. The modular design adapts to various site conditions and energy demands throughout California and the other 31 petroleum producing states where there are aging oil and gas wells.

Moderated by Analiese Andersen, Account Executive, MicroThermal Energy

Speaker: Bill Bartling, Co-Founder, Geo2Watts and Advisor for Lillianah Technologies

 

In this first mini podcast as 2026 SPE President, Jennifer Miskimins shares the meaning behind our new tagline—Solutions. People. Energy.—and how it sets the stage for her priorities in the year ahead.

From tackling the energy trilemma to supporting members and shaping SPE’s future, join Jennifer as she explores the opportunities and challenges ahead.

 

This SPE Live explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation are revolutionizing the oil and gas industry, driving unprecedented gains in operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. As the sector navigates volatile markets and decarbonization mandates, AI emerges as a critical enabler for predictive processes, autonomous operations, and emissions reduction. Industry leaders share real-world case studies, strategic roadmaps, and emerging trends shaping the next decade of energy innovation.

Key Themes Covered: * AI’s Strategic Imperative * High-Impact Applications * Innovation Frontiers * Talent & Leadership

Moderated by Wael Ziadat, Vice President at Corva AI

Speaker:

• Majed Alzahrani, Petroleum Engineering Systems Consultant and Data Scientist at Saudi Aramco

 

The Society of Petroleum Engineers Africa Region is on a transformative phase—redefining how professionals connect, grow, and lead across the continent. In this exclusive SPE Live, the Africa Regional Director will speak to bold initiatives about the future of member engagement and collaboration within the region. From the maiden edition of the SPE Africa Annual Technical Conference (ATCE) to the launch of SPE Africa Beyond-the-Border (BtB) initiative, the sustained SPE Africa YP debate and Section Officers Workshop, and the setup of different active units engaging members and the public, this session will spotlight the vision, strategy, and milestones driving Africa’s energy dialogue forward. Additionally, this SPE Live will provide insights from the ongoing SPEI President’s tour of Africa, which is reinforcing SPE’s commitment to regional inclusion, and professional excellence. Join us to learn how these groundbreaking programs are creating platforms for knowledge sharing, leadership development, expanding SPE Africa footprint across Africa and cross-border synergy—setting a new standard for regional engagement in SPE Africa.

Moderated by Emmanuella Agbo, Project Engineer, Renaissance Africa Energy Company

Speaker: Riverson Oppong, SPE Africa Regional Director. CEO, Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC)

In this exclusive Q&A, 2026 SPE President Jennifer Miskimins shares her roadmap for the year ahead, touching on key initiatives, the importance of member engagement, and how SPE can evolve to meet the changing needs of the energy sector.

The SPE Energy Transition Symposium brings together professionals from multiple disciplines across the energy sector, offering a comprehensive platform for learning, networking, and collaboration. Our primary objective is to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of knowledge drawn from the insights of industry leaders, technical experts, academics, practitioners, representatives from the financial community, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) leaders. In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, staying informed and connected is more important than ever. This SPE Live provides a sneak peek into the upcoming 2025 SPE Energy Transition Symposium, happening 8-10 September 2025 in Sugar Land, Texas.

Moderated by George Koperna, CEO at Advanced Resources International, Inc.

Speaker: Maria Angela Capello, Senior Partner at Red Tree Consulting

Join us for an overview of SPE’s newly updated CO2 Storage Resources Management System (SRMS), a system that provides the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) community with a standard for storage resources classification and categorization. The SRMS provides a consistent approach to estimate storable quantities and evaluate the commerciality of projects and presents results in a comprehensive classification framework. It provides stakeholders (governments, regulators, financial entities, etc.) a means for understanding confidence in the storage resources for their use and allow comparing and contrasting CO2 storage estimates based on project maturity and geologic certainty. It also provides context for an investment and tracking the performance of the investment. The expert moderator and panel of speakers will share and discuss how the 2025 SRMS built on the 2017 system, the key changes from the previous version, and will review the applicability of the SRMS at a high level.

Moderated by Scott Frailey, Principal Reservoir Engineer at Illinois Geologic Survey

Speakers: 

• Sylvain Thibeau, CO2 Geological Storage Expert at TotalEnergies

• Daniel DiLuzio, Vice Chair of Chevron’s Storage Advisory Committee

Join us for an SPE Live Podcast on unlocking HSE and sustainability excellence, identifying opportunities, addressing gaps, and shaping the future of production and operations through innovative strategies, collaborative approaches, and cutting-edge technologies to ensure a safer, more sustainable, and environmentally responsible industry.

Moderated by Johana Dunlop, former SPE HSES Technical Director. Head of Membership at IOGP.

Speakers:

• Sue Staley, SPE HSES Technical Director. Sustainability Director at vPSI Group LL

• Hamad Al-Marri, SPE Production and Operations (P&O / P&F) Technical Director. VP, Production Eng & Well Completion at Saudi Aramco

Hydrogen is no longer just a future promise — it’s already being deployed in real-world projects today. In this SPE Live, we will highlight key current applications of hydrogen and ammonia, particularly in industry, shipping, and power. We will then explore what is realistically expected by 2050, based on project trends, policy shifts, and market developments. The conversation will also touch on the importance of policy support, full life-cycle emissions tracking, and the evolving global trade in low-carbon hydrogen derivatives like ammonia and e-fuels. As the value chain evolves, a parallel effort is urgently needed to build the future workforce — equipping today’s professionals and preparing new talent with the right technical and commercial skills to support and scale low-carbon hydrogen solutions. The goal is to give participants a clear, grounded view of where we are now — and where we could go next.

Moderated by Ibrahim Muritala, Global Hydrogen Leader at ABS, Global Sustainability Center

Speakers:

* Magdy Mohamed, Technical Development Manager at XRG

* James E. Fesmire, Co-founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Architect at GenH2 Corp.

Join this dynamic SPE Live as we explore the energy industry’s decarbonization agenda in the Asia-Pacific region.

This session delves into the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s low-carbon future. From policy and regulation to technology and innovation, we will uncover practical strategies for accelerating decarbonization while highlighting the vital role of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Why Attend: • Gain actionable insights into decarbonization strategies tailored for the Asia-Pacific region. • Learn how SPE is shaping the energy sector’s transition through innovation and collaboration. • Discover opportunities to contribute to the industry’s low-carbon future by engaging with SPE’s global community.

Speakers: • Hazli Sham Kassim, SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director (2023-2025). Vice President, Development, Upstream, PETRONAS Energy • Koji Yamamoto, SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director (2025-2027). Vice President, Energy Business Unit, JOGMEC

Moderated by Margaretha Thaliharjanti, Vice President Energi Institute at PT Pertamina (Persero)

Join us for an insightful SPE Live with the Completions and Reservoir Technical Directors as we explore emerging technologies, key trends shaping the energy sector, the future of petroleum engineers, and how SPE is fostering innovation and collaboration among professionals.

Moderated by Terry Palisch, 2024 SPE President. Former SPE Completions Technical Director. Chief Technology Officer at CARBO Ceramics.

Speakers: • Peggy Rijken, SPE Completions Technical Director. Chapter Manager, Geomechanics at Chevron • Rahim Masoudi, SPE Reservoir Technical Director. Chief Technical Lead at EnQuest/Veri Energy

Electrical Submersible Pumps continue to play a vital role in artificial lift, offering efficient and scalable solutions across a wide range of reservoir conditions. In recent years, Permanent Magnet Motors (PMMs) have gained significant momentum as a preferred alternative to traditional Induction Motors (IMs) in ESP systems. While PMMs have been part of the industry since the 1990s, their widespread adoption has accelerated over the past decade, driven by advancements in motor efficiency, drive technology, and integrated control and monitoring systems. These innovations have contributed to lower power consumption, improved environmental performance, and enhanced economic returns, making PMMs a compelling option in today’s energy landscape. However, with these benefits come specific operational and safety considerations. One key challenge is managing the regenerative power generated by magnetized rotors, which can pose risks during handling, installation, and operation. The industry has responded with robust safety protocols, power isolation techniques, advanced control logic, and automated startup procedures to mitigate these risks and unlock the full potential of PMM technology.

This SPE Live, in collaboration with the SPE Artificial Lift Technical Section, brings together leading experts to explore the evolution of Permanent Magnet Motor technology in ESP applications—from early developments to cutting-edge global implementations. Drawing on extensive experience from the Permian Basin and other key production regions, the discussion will cover:

• Recent technological advancements enabling the broader adoption of PMMs
• Integration with modern Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) for optimized control
• Enhanced operational reliability and energy efficiency
• Safety protocols for handling, commissioning, and operating PMM-driven ESP systems
• Field case studies highlighting cost savings, performance gains, and sustainability benefits

Whether you’re working in a high-volume shale play or managing brownfield operations overseas, this session offers valuable insights and takeaways for engineers, operators, and asset managers looking to improve artificial lift performance through the adoption of PMM technology.

Moderated by Shivani Vyas, Sales Manager, Odessa Separator Inc.

Speakers:

• Dakai Yin, ESP Engineer Advisor, Oxy
• Lorne Simmons, North American Director of Quality and Training, Levare

Join us for an insightful SPE Live with the SPE Data Science & Engineering Analytics (DSEA) and Drilling Technical Directors as we explore emerging technologies, key trends shaping the industry, and how SPE is fostering innovation and collaboration among professionals.

Speakers: • Sushma Bhan, SPE DSEA Technical Director. Board of Directors at Ikon Science • Robin Macmillan, SPE Drilling Technical Director. Consultant

Moderated by Silviu Livescu, 2020-2023 SPE DSEA Technical Director. Co-Founder and CTO at Bedrock Energy

 

Join us for an SPE Live on Energy Transition. Learn how the technical and scientific advancements in geo-engineering can contribute to meeting the challenges of the energy transition with a preview of the upcoming SPE Europe Energy Conference and Exhibition in Vienna. Under the theme of “Innovating Together: Solutions, People and Energy for a Responsible Transition”, the event will join upstream oil and gas technology with clean energy efforts to discuss future pathways of discovery, providing the chance to establish a common ground across disciplines to highlight recent achievements, sharing proposed guidelines for optimizing integrated processes and procedures, discussing the new targets of education in the energy sector, exploring strategic approaches to adapt traditional oil and gas expertise to new energy technologies, to create inclusive workplace cultures and to foster innovative initiatives for sustainable energy solutions.

Moderator: Edna Michelle Bisso Bi Mba, Head of Reservoir Services, Harbour Energy

Guests: • Reinhard Oswald, SVP Tech Center at OMV • Filippo Abbá, COO & Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at SAIPEM • Francesca Verga, Professor at Politecnico di Torino

SPE Europe Energy Conference and Exhibition

Oil and gas from the North Sea has powered Europe for decades. The North Sea is now providing a diverse mix of energy solutions with ambitious plans for offshore wind, the scale up of carbon storage, and the potential for hydrogen generation and distribution. Europe’s energy systems have been hit by turmoil following the Ukraine war.

In this SPE Live, you will hear perspectives from across Europe and the different approaches to how countries are managing their respective journeys to net zero emissions. Some countries continue to encourage investment in oil and gas to drive the economy and fund a broader energy transition, others have taken a different path seeking to accelerate renewable energy coupled with policy that removes incentives for oil and gas development.

What is the future for the North Sea as Europe’s energy mix evolves? How do we best use this shared resource?

This lively conversation will be continued at SPE Offshore Europe in Aberdeen on 2-5 September 2025.

Moderator: Natalie Coupar, Communications and Marketing Director, OEUK

Guests: • Martin Næsby – Chief Executive, Dansk Offshore • Laura Sims – Associate Director, S&P Global

SPE Offshore Europe

How relevant is well intervention in today’s O&G landscape? Very much, as the need from operators to maximize ROI while maintaining cost control relies on mature asset management, production increases. Well Intervention is a fundamental technical discipline, which enables Operators to regain access to reserves and restore/increase production faster than drilling. The SPE/ICoTA conference is the cornerstone of the Well Intervention Technical Community, where companies share their newest technologies, developments, and achievements, contributing to the technical excellence and knowledge sharing amongst peers.

Moderated by Carlos Torres, SPE North America Regional Director. Founder and Owner at Royal Oaks Energy Services

Speakers:

• Manuel Chavez, Lead Well Interventions Engineer, Coiled Tubing SME at Shell
• Luis Castro, Asset Surveillance and Intervention Leader at Baker Hughes

SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference and Exhibition

Join us for an exclusive fireside chat with Erik Kirkemo, Senior Vice President of Drilling & Well at Equinor and Conference Chair for the upcoming SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition. We will explore the extraordinary shifts reshaping the drilling landscape—from harnessing advanced automation and digital innovation to pursuing net-zero targets. Erik will share insights on balancing short-term demands with long-term strategic planning, adapting to evolving regulations, and leveraging collaboration to drive meaningful change. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on what’s truly shaping the future of drilling.

Moderated by Robin Macmillan, SPE Technical Director for Drilling

Speakers: Erik Kirkemo, Senior Vice President of Drilling and Well, Equinor. Conference Chair for the 2025 SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference & Exhibition

In this SPE Live, we explore the evolution of safety in O&G, maritime, and civil aviation industries under a human factors approach, discussing how the evolution from human error to system resilience reshaped workplace practices and safety management. Drawing insights from incidents and normal work, we illustrate how human competencies, such as adaptive variability, non-technical skills, and team dynamics, are the solution, not the problem, to deal with the emergent challenges in high-risk environments as the complex sociotechnical system of these industry's workplaces.

Moderated by Sarah Acton, Human Factors Engineer at Ascend Performance Materials

Speakers: • Riana Steen, Associate Professor at BI Norwegian Business School • James Norman, FOQA Gatekeeper, ALPA at Delta Air Lines • Josué Maia Franca, Safety Engineer and Human Factors Consultant at Petrobras

We are excited to host two 2024 Energy Influencers selected by The Way Ahead for outstanding technical, entrepreneurial, and service contributions by young professionals. In this SPE Live, we discuss how technology innovation is enabling carbon capture, how industry is scaling-up these technologies in large projects globally, and how our energy sector is collaborating and working across industries to advance.

Our guests have years of experience championing new technologies and are ready to share their perspectives and answer your questions.

Moderated by Natan Battisti, Portfolio Risk & Decision Quality Lead at Harbour Energy

Speakers: • Mohamad Yousef Alklih, Senior Reservoir Simulation Engineer at ADNOC • Rostyslav Dolog, Senior Lab Scientist at Aramco Americas