Li Yugeng, SPE, died 7 November 2012 in Beijing, China. He was 83. He was the founder of SPE’s Beijing Section, established in October 1991, and was the section chairman from 1991 to 1995. Under his leadership, other sections were gradually established in China. Li was president of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) subsidiary, Daqing Oilfield, the largest oil field in China, and engaged in operational administration of oilfield production as well as research management. He participated in oilfield development programs and engineering technical decision-making following the Daqing field’s discovery. During his time in office, Daqing’s annual petroleum production reached 50 million tons (366 million bbl), a rate which it sustained for 10 years. In 1985, the Central Government of China inaugurated its highest award, given to two recipients per year—called The National Science and Technology Progress Award (Special Award), which honors organizations or individuals who make major contributions to the development of the national economy—by presenting it for “The Development of an Oil Field by Water Injection to Maintain Stable and High Long-Term Production in the Daqing Oilfield,” as presided over by its leader, Li Yugeng, and others. Li was subsequently promoted to chief engineer at CNPC, where he managed the company’s and its subsidiaries’ petroleum engineering operations. Before his retirement, he was senior consultant at CNPC and had served in the oil and gas industry for more than 50 years.
In recognition of his contribution in promulgating the ideals of SPE through the establishment of the SPE Beijing Section and his leadership as executive chairman of the 1992 International Meeting on Petroleum Engineering in Beijing, he was awarded the SPE Regional Service Award in 1997. Li was an SPE Century Club member and authored a number of papers. He dedicated his life to the petroleum industry and was at the forefront of industry innovation. As a faithful subscriber, he was still reading JPT even in the last week of his life, as he pondered technological innovations and the energy sector’s sustainable development. His dedication will always be fondly remembered.