More than 5,500 oil and gas professionals from 58 countries turned out for the 2022 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE). This was the first in-person ATCE in the US in 4 years.
“SPE has a strong role as an incubator of novel ideas through its dissemination of technical content,” said Kamel Ben-Naceur, 2022 SPE President. In addition to the more than 400 peer-selected technical papers and panel discussions to choose from, members were enthusiastic about being together again with the opportunity to attend an in-person conference.
The Opening General Session titled “Sustainable Recovery – Transforming the Industry for the Future” featured a panel moderated by Iman Hill of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers. Prominent panelists included Barton Cahir of ExxonMobil Upstream Co., Vicki Hollub of Oxy, Olivier Le Peuch of Schlumberger, and Kamel Ben-Naceur of Nomadia Energy. The panelists discussed supporting the industry through change and how to continue to create value through the energy transition.
“Sustainability requires joint industry efforts to reduce and eliminate emissions, especially methane and carbon capture, utilization, and storage, which is one of the key carbon-abatement options that will require the skills of the SPE members,” said Ben-Naceur.
In addition to the technical program, ATCE continued its tradition of celebrating the accomplishments of E&P professionals. Thirty-five members were honored at the Annual Reception and Banquet for their significant contributions to the oil and gas industry and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
On Wednesday, Ben-Naceur presented the State of the Society at the President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting of Members. “The oil and gas industry is an engine of social development and innovation is at its core,” he said. ”SPE is part of the solution to industry challenges through technical knowledge dissemination and skills transfer into new energy sources, such as hydrogen and geothermal.”
At the luncheon Ben-Naceur welcomed and passed the gavel to Medhat (Med) Kamal, the 2023 SPE President.
Along with the extensive technical program, ATCE featured more than 220 exhibiting companies.
The 2023 conference will take place on 16–18 October in San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit www.atce.org.