Impact of Sanction Laws

SPE must comply with all applicable sanction laws, including those of the U.S. and European Union which prohibit personnel and nationals of certain countries (including the US) living abroad, from providing or assisting in the provision of certain services to individuals “ordinarily resident in” an embargoed or sanctioned country.1

For example, under US law, SPE may only provide to members residing in embargoed or sanctioned countries those membership benefits related to information or informational materials or that are otherwise authorized under applicable sanction laws, including regulations administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, licenses, and interpretations issued pursuant thereto (see http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx)

The list below indicates which membership benefits are permitted under, versus those benefits which SPE may not offer in order to comply with, applicable sanction laws.

There are a number of services/benefits that may be provided to SPE members in US and European sanctioned countries (e.g., Iran, Sudan, and Cuba) because these activities relate to the provision of informational materials and thus are not limited by applicable U.S. and European sanction laws. These permitted services/benefits include:

  • SPE membership
  • OnePetro accounts
  • Individual membership queries and benefits for publications, published technical papers and informational matter
  • Attendance at SPE meetings, conferences, and workshops (cannot be an exhibitor)
  • SPE books and publications
  • Information on SPE.org
  • Energy4me Program (energy education outreach to pre-university students)

There are a number of services/benefits that may not be provided to SPE members in US and European sanctioned countries (e.g., Iran, Sudan, Cuba) because there are personnel involved in providing these services who would be in violation of US or European laws.  These prohibited services/benefits include:

  • Section Support
  • Student Chapter Support
  • Funding of any type, including:
    • Student support for technical development funds
    • Section rebates
    • Gus Archie Memorial Scholarship
    • Nico van Wingen Fellowship
    • Henry de Witt Fellowship
    • STAR Scholarships and Fellowships
    • Membership Recruitment Contests
    • Membership Development Appreciation Awards
    • Faculty Enhancement Travel Grants
    • OnePetro Grants
  • Participation at SPE Forums held in North and South America. Applicants to Forum Series outside of the Americas should consult with the responsible Forum Committee to discuss participation.
  • Programs
    • International or Regional Student Paper Contests
    • Distinguished Lecturer Program
    • Outstanding Student Chapter Award
    • Outstanding Section YP Program Award
    • Regional Awards
    • International Awards
    • President’s Award for Section Excellence
    • eMentoring Program
    • Certification Program
    • Insurance Programs
    • Ambassador Lecturer Program
    • Student Job Board
  • Technical Interest Groups, Technical Sections or SPE Professional Networks
  • Volunteer Appreciation Gift
  • SPE mail accounts
  • My SPE Network accounts
  • Organizing or supporting any conferences in embargoed countries

Additional information on US and European laws regarding this issue may be found at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/ and http://eeas.europa.eu/cfsp/sanctions/docs/measures_en.pdf

For any questions regarding SPE's membership benefits, please contact Customer Service in the Americas Office in Dallas, USA  at +1.972.952.9266, the Middle East, North Africa, and India Office in Dubai, UAE, at  +971.4.390.3540 or the Asia Pacific office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at +60.3.2288.1233


1. Under US law, “Ordinarily Resident In” generally includes:
  • Individuals, regardless of nationality, residing in an embargoed country.
  • Individuals holding an embargoed country passport and a non-permanent visa (student, visitor, temporary, business) for any country outside the US.
  • Individuals holding an embargoed country passport and a non-permanent visa (visitor, temporary, business) for the US.