OCTOBER 2026 • VOL. 78, NO. 10
View the issue page for October 2026 JPT here
Features
Make the Most of ATCE 2026: A Strategic Investment in Your Career and Organization
Get more from ATCE 2026 with a strategic plan for learning, networking, technology scouting, and career growth. Susan Howes shares how to maximize the value of SPE’s premier annual event.
Comments: New Horizons, New Challenges—ATCE 2026 Returns to Houston
After years of market shocks, technological breakthroughs, and rising uncertainty, ATCE 2026 will provide new insights on how industry leaders and technical experts are preparing for the next era of the upstream business.
Guest Editorial: Geothermal Is a Risk-Sequencing Problem
This guest editorial examines why geothermal projects require a different planning, financing, and development approach than traditional oil and gas projects.
BP’s New Chapter for Subsea Boosting
With confidence in subsea boosting performance growing, BP is incorporating pumping systems into both greenfield developments and brownfield expansions.
In a World Short on Big Discoveries, Offshore Oil Companies May Need To Double Down on Intervention Work
As the pace of new discoveries slows and high-quality prospects become harder to find, oil companies may need to rely more heavily on mature fields to maintain production and support future supply.
Tackling the Problem of Forever Chemicals
The legacy of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a persistent problem in many industries, including upstream oil and gas. In this Q&A, remediation expert Grant Scott presents the trouble with these “forever chemicals” and the mitigating efforts being used.
Case Study: Produced Water and New Catalyst Offer Low-Cost Route to H₂S Treatment
This case study outlines the use of a new solvent for gas conditioning that has helped address H2S issues in the Permian Basin.
Case Study: Norwegian Operator Redefines Well Maturation Through Smarter Ways of Working
A shared digital mindset across subsurface, subsea, and drilling and wells is accelerating well planning at Vår Energi.
SPE Honors 2026 International Award Recipients
Each year during its Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE), SPE honors members whose outstanding contributions to the Society and the petroleum industry merit special distinction. Recipients will be recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet on 22 October.
Global Exploration and Production Updates: FIDs, Discoveries, and New Frontiers.
People
This section lists with regret SPE members who recently passed away.
Technology Focus Synopses
Offshore Drilling and Completion
Muhammad Sofyan, Petroleum Engineer, TotalEnergies
Approach Enables Vertical Well Re-Entry for Safe and Efficient Legacy-Well Reabandonment
Openhole Toe Isolation in HP/HT Well With Expandable Packer Saves Days of Rig Time
Dynamically Positioned Rig Used for Shallow-Water Drilling Operations
Artificial Lift
Fahd Saghir, Director of Artificial Intelligence, Occidental Oman
Machine Learning Provides Reliable ESP-Condition Monitoring
AI-Enabled Autonomous Gas Lift System Enhances Performance in Producer Wells
Hybrid Physics/ML Framework for Virtual Flowmetering Optimizes Production
Emissions Management
Arjun Roy, Director of Data Science Bently Nevada
Cost-Efficient Solution Separates Gas and Captures CO₂ Offshore
Optical Gas Imaging Detects Leaks Using Channel Stacking
Ultramafic Rock-Based Filters Enable CO2 Capture in Simulated Emission Streams
Sand Management
Samyak Jain, Sand Control Specialist, DuneFront
Study Explores Best Practices in Formation-Sand Particle-Size Distribution
Openhole Gravel-Pack in Depleted GOM Reservoirs Achieved With Alternative Approach
Modeling Study Unlocks Influence of Capillary Pressure on Sand Production
SPE Technical Papers Available for Download — September–October 2026
The complete SPE technical papers—synopsized in each monthly issue of JPT—are available for download for SPE members for 2 months.