In March, 27 young professionals (YPs) representing 15 SPE sections and 12 countries convened in Paris for the first edition of SPE Beyond the Borders 2025. Hosted by the SPE France Section and held across the La Défense TotalEnergies headquarters and the Clamart SLB Technology Center, the event served as a unique platform for cross-cultural dialogue and forward-looking discussions on the role of YPs in the energy transition.
What Is Beyond the Borders?
Beyond the Borders (BtB) is an international initiative launched by SPE to foster cultural and professional exchange among YPs in the energy sector. It was born in 2018 thanks to the collaboration of the SPE YP sections of France, Italy, and Romania, and the event soon evolved into a key platform for cross-border cooperation within the European SPE communities.
BtB is commonly held multiple times per year, typically hosting YPs from several SPE sections in different European cities, engaging them in industrial development and energy transition initiatives.
A number of editions have taken place over the years across Europe (e.g., Bucharest, Milan, Paris), offering a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange in a different and local framework. The outstanding engagement level of European BtBs serves as inspiration of similar initiatives in other regions of the SPE world in recent years.
Editions commonly span 3 days, blending technical workshops, industrial and research center field trips, and interactive sessions focused on sustainability, innovation, and leadership. Participants also take part in networking events and soft skills development sessions, often with deep focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A significant portion of event costs is typically covered by the hosting SPE section, while participants may be asked to contribute to expenses. In some cases, financial support is provided by industrial partners and sponsors. More than just a conference, BtB aims to empower YPs, to strengthen the European YP network, and to position SPE as a dynamic and inclusive voice in the evolving energy framework.
Our local section (SPE Italy) involved us to help in communicating the upcoming BtB edition and encouraging applications.
Being an active SPE member ensures you don't miss out on unique opportunities, with regular updates shared through newsletters and targeted announcements. YPs who are interested in participating can engage through multiple channels: follow SPE International and local sections on social media, subscribe to SPE newsletters, and regularly check the official SPE and BtB webpages.
Typically, SPE YP chairpersons across Europe are kept informed about initiatives planned by other sections, therefore reaching out to your local YP representative is another great way to stay in the loop. When a new edition of BtB is announced, SPE sections typically circulate an invitation containing participation guidelines and application details, through which interested YPs can officially submit their application.
Day 1: Understanding Complexity Through Games
BtB in Paris opened with an unconventional workshop: a nonverbal, team-based card game titled “Five Tricks,” hosted by executive coach Béatrice Rivas-Siedel. At first glance, it appeared as a playful icebreaker. In reality, it was a deep dive into how individuals from different backgrounds answer ambiguous and shifting parameters. With very limited guidance and forbidden oral communications, delegates are asked to cooperate when roles, rules, and focal points are unclear.
This game succeeded in mirroring what energy professionals often face in the real world—working across borders, disciplines, and worldviews with incomplete information and high stakes.
The first day ended in a much more relaxing atmosphere, with pizza and local craft beer, laying the groundwork for authentic connections that empowered the next 2 days.
Day 2: From Climate Science to Corporate Strategy
The second day opened with the “Climate Fresk,” a collaborative workshop that unpacked the science behind climate change through cause-and-effect mapping. The exercise challenged participants to rethink long-held assumptions and to compare the inertia that often strands climate actions.
The workshop set the stage for a broader conversation on global inequalities—comparing energy consumption patterns, climate vulnerabilities, and structural gaps between developed and developing regions.
After this deep discussion, a data-driven session was organized, based on analyzing emission trends, GDP, and per capita consumption—placing them against the backdrop of Paris COP21 goals. The discussion naturally turned to the contrast, in terms of energy demand, between extreme climate areas (e.g., Scandinavia, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa) and the global push toward net zero.
Sessions hosted by TotalEnergies provided practical insights into how decarbonization targets are being pursued. From drone-based methane monitoring to reduced flaring and smarter power consumption, the company showcased early wins and new design principles for upstream projects outside Europe. Delegates also provided a preview of upcoming projects and technology deployments aimed at embedding sustainability, even at the core of upstream operations.
The final workshop of the day explored the actual role of YPs in this evolving context. Whether through geothermal, hydrogen, or carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), attendees acknowledged that energy careers are not disappearing—they are just being diversified. Technical skills from petroleum engineering, geoscience, or process design are now critical enablers of cleaner energy systems.
40 Years of SPE France
In the evening of the second day, the iconic Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris hosted the 40th anniversary celebration of SPE France—a moment to honor its legacy and evolving vision.
The event brought together prominent figures from the European energy sector, including senior leaders from SPE and major industry players. Olivier Houzé, 2025 SPE International President, and Pierre Emmanuel d’Huart, SPE Europe Regional Director, opened the evening by highlighting SPE’s growing global influence, its commitment to its core mission, and the need for agility in today’s fast-changing landscape. They also introduced SPE’s new optional tagline “Solutions. People. Energy.” reflecting SPE’s people-driven approach to innovation and impact. They both praised the dedication of SPE volunteers, who make it possible to deliver impactful programs worldwide, emphasizing SPE’s unique role in fostering collaboration and driving progress in the energy transition. As noted during the evening, SPE is not just adapting to change, but it is actually assisting in leading it.
A key moment was the unveiling of an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, currently in development: an advanced tool trained on SPE technical papers and legacy knowledge, designed to democratize access to decades of industry expertise.
The anniversary program also featured a series of keynote addresses and roundtable discussions that examined the role of oil and gas professionals in the evolving energy landscape. Auragni Jeanson (ENGIE, group vice president HR, talent, and diversity), François-Régis Mouton (IOGP Europe, managing director), Olivier Peyret (SLB France, chairperson and SLB New Energy, director Europe), and Régis Agut (TotalEnergies vice president conventional offshore) all provided their viewpoints in a dynamic panel discussion.
The evening reached its peak with a keynote speech by Nicolas Terraz, TotalEnergies’ general director of exploration and production and Executive Committee member, who shared a strategic outlook on the industrial transformation and the crucial role of technical professionals in building a sustainable future.
The evening then concluded with a buffet provided by SPE France, which allowed participants to continue discussing the topics covered and more, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, leaving space for connections among all attendees.
Day 3: Technology and Responsibility
The final day offered a firsthand look at SLB’s innovation hub in Clamart, with a focus on climate-conscious technology. Visitors toured the facility and joined interactive demos showcasing
- AI-powered well path optimization tools.
- Thermal and borehole imaging systems.
- Shallow geothermal systems designed to heat and cool office campuses via closed-loop wells—an application with potential scalability across 60% of French buildings.
A deep-dive case study was presented on TotalEnergies’s GranMorgu floating production, storage, and offloading vessel which highlighted how cutting-edge features are properly designed to significantly reduce environmental and carbon footprint.
Two sessions dedicated to hydrogen technology followed. The first focused on Genvia’s solid oxide electrolyzers, while the second focused on IEA’s Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Program initiatives. They are two examples aimed at proving how policy, R&D, and private-sector innovation are converging to make hydrogen-based projects scalable.
At the end of the third day, delegates engaged in two soft-skill discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender equity, and sustainability leadership, reinforcing the concept that human-centric leadership is just as vital as technological ingenuity.
Closing Reflections—Reimagining SPE’s Role
The closing session invited an open and thoughtful discussion among delegates on the future of SPE and the challenges that local sections across Europe must face. At the heart of the conversation was the BtB initiative and the crucial role of YPs in shaping and accelerating the energy transition.
Participants emphasized that the transition is not leaving behind traditional skills but evolving them to meet new global demands. This mindset was reflected by a wide range of expertise in the room—from petroleum and drilling engineers to geoscientists and process specialists—demonstrating how these profiles are already being repurposed to support low-carbon initiatives like CCUS, geothermal, hydrogen, and energy-efficient operations.
The discussion also brought forward practical ideas to revitalize SPE scope and relevance, especially among younger members. Suggestions included:
- Conference fee reductions for students, volunteers, and early-career professionals.
- Interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the core oil and gas sectors.
- Successful local initiatives valorization such as beach cleanups, school partnerships, and social outreach events.
There was strong agreement on the idea of keeping SPE open, visible, and inclusive—actively engaging with adjacent industries (e.g., data science, clean tech) and showcasing how YPs are already delivering measurable impact in the field.
At the end, the conversation touched on how European sections can set an example for SPE worldwide by leading with innovation, flexibility, and community-centered actions. As one delegate put it: “The future of energy is not a far-off concept—it is already here, and we are part of it.”
BtB France 2025 closed not just with reflections, but with a renewed sense of purpose and connection, reinforcing that concept that YPs are not only ready to contribute—they are essential to drive the transformation.
Marco Campriani is a reservoir engineer with a strong interest in innovation, energy transition, and technical knowledge sharing. He currently works at Eni, where he contributes to international oil and gas projects, including LNG developments in Congo and other worldwide projects. Active in SPE since 2022, he is the current chairperson of the SPE Italian Section Young Professionals Committee. He plays a key role in organizing technical seminars, cross-disciplinary workshops, and collaborative events with student chapters and academic institutions. He has represented the Italian Section at major industry events such as the SPE Workshop in Vienna, EUROPEC in Turin, and OMC in Ravenna. With academic roots in Florence, Turin, and experience abroad in the UK, he brings a collaborative and proactive approach to both his professional and volunteer roles in the energy sector.
Masoud Zendegan is a petroleum engineer specializing in the digitalization of energy systems and asset management. With a strong background in both academia and industry, he has several years of experience in petroleum studies. He works at Eni, providing technical support to global business units with a focus on reservoir management and well performance optimization. His involvement with SPE began during his master's studies at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy. Since then, he has played an active role in the community, contributing to student chapter initiatives and YP programs. As a current YP member of the SPE Italian Section, he collaborates with the Beyond the Borders program and supports a variety of local networking events.