Amanda Spiegel Rushing, SPE Director of North America events and a highly respected Certified Meetings Professional and Professional Association Manager, passed away on 14 May 2026.

The three papers in this year’s Hydraulic Fracturing Operations feature automation, challenging carbonate reservoirs, and work in Alaska’s North Slope.

This paper explores the transformative effect of unmanned aerial systems on operational efficiency, safety, and emergency response within the Khurais oil fields in Saudi Arabia. By integrating sophisticated drone technology, improvements have been achieved in routine inspections, leak detection, and emergency scenarios.