Energy transition

A decade ago, SPE defined key R&D and technology challenges for the industry. To address the more uncertain environment of the 2020s and beyond, we have updated the grand challenges via a January 2023 SPE workshop.

SPE’s professional membership has an important role to play in mitigating climate change concerns and in developing new low- or no-carbon sources of energy. We offer a forum for presenting and disseminating scientifically vetted technical information about what can be and is being done by our members.

Picking up the pace of innovation and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors is required if nuclear is to play a role in decarbonization beyond electricity by providing low-carbon heat or hydrogen.

A new report said the US supermajor has made its second move in a month to enter the emerging lithium extraction industry.

A new paper warns that meeting emission reduction targets in the top US oil basin will require a fourfold increase in available grid electricity.

Putting into action an agreement signed in 2022, the companies will collaborate on the project to test the emerging technology for producing geothermal energy.

In the world of wind, Equinor has postponed its initiative indefinitely while Repsol moves ahead in Italy, and Portugal plans to auction offshore leases for wind farms.

The innovations in the carbon removal space are gaining attention for their potential to curb global climate change, but they each face particular challenges in implementation.

No one expected the transition to be without hiccups, and recently, those hiccups have been heard within and outside the oil and gas industry.

A look at recent first‑quarter results reminds us that there is no such thing as a constant trend in our industry. Continual recalibration of companies’ activities aim to obtain positive financial results in the traditional oil and gas business while devoting efforts in a practical way to both mitigate climate change issues and to develop new forms of energy.