In August, the SPE Spain Section had the distinct honor of welcoming Jennifer Miskimins, 2026 SPE President, during her visit to Madrid. This visit marked an important milestone for our section, offering us the opportunity to engage in a direct, thoughtful dialogue about our current challenges, goals, and the path forward as a small SPE community in Europe.
As chair of the SPE Spain Section, I had the pleasure of representing the section alongside board officers María León and Ricardo César Bezerra de Melo. Our meeting with Miskimins was not only productive, but also deeply motivating, as she took the time to listen to our concerns, share insights, and offer her support.
Addressing Local Realities, Together
During the conversation, we shared our perspectives on the operational realities of managing a small section: limited resources, sustaining member engagement, attracting young professionals, organizing regular technical events, and the need to build stronger partnerships with both industry and academia. Miskimins created a valuable space for open dialogue, where we felt heard and empowered.
We also discussed the energy and industry-specific challenges in Spain, including the ongoing energy transition and the limited presence of oil and gas operators and service companies—factors that have significantly impacted the traditional oil and gas workforce. Like many SPE sections around the world, we are exploring new ways to remain relevant and continue delivering value to our members and the broader energy community.
Miskimins emphasized the importance of listening to section officers on the ground and acknowledged that each section faces its own unique challenges. Her openness, encouragement, and recognition of our efforts were deeply appreciated, reinforcing the idea that every contribution, no matter how small, is essential to the strength of SPE as a global organization.
One of the most encouraging takeaways from our time with Miskimins was her clear commitment to support small sections and ensuring their voices are heard. She highlighted the importance of flexibility, innovation, and collaboration.
Opportunities Through Collaboration
A key topic of our conversation was the potential for collaboration with other SPE sections, particularly within Europe. As small sections, we often face similar limitations in terms of scale and resources. However, these challenges can become opportunities when we work together.
We discussed the idea of organizing joint events, both virtual and in-person, with neighboring sections. In the context of Europe’s ongoing energy transition, there is strong potential to develop cross-cutting topics, such as oil and gas, geothermal, carbon capture and storage, digitalization, hydrogen, and energy storage, to bring members together across disciplines. These collaborative initiatives would allow us to pool resources, share expertise, and increase visibility while also creating richer, more engaging experiences for members across borders.
Miskimins expressed her full support for such cross-sectional efforts and encouraged us to keep pushing for regional engagement. This aligns strongly with her vision of a more connected SPE.
Motivation and Global Connection
Beyond formal conversation, this meeting served as a powerful reminder of the value of human connection in professional communities. Taking the time to meet in person, to walk through the historic streets of Madrid together, and to share perspectives in an informal conversation created a sense of unity that transcends geography.
In-person interactions matter, and this visit was proof. The meeting with her in Madrid offered our section a renewed sense of connection to the broader SPE community. This visit reaffirms that we are indeed part of a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing the future of energy.
We were truly inspired by Miskimins’ commitment to her role and her genuine interest in understanding the realities faced by local sections. Her visit reminded us that leadership is about listening, supporting, and building bridges, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, the SPE Spain Section remains committed to fostering technical excellence, creating networking opportunities, and promoting energy education. With the support of SPE International, with stronger ties with our fellow European sections, and SPE Europe Regional Director Pierre Emmanuel d’Huart, we believe that we can not only overcome challenges but also create a meaningful impact.
SPE Spain extend a deepest thanks to Miskimins and Ola Davies for taking the time to meet with us, listen to our perspectives and for their ongoing dedication to strengthening the global SPE community.
We look forward to what lies ahead and to contributing to a more connected and impactful SPE.
