Events and Special Sessions
Here is a list of all events and special sessions taking place during ATCE 2011. Some events require a separate ticket purchase; see details below.
Saturday, 29 October
SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification Exam
0800–1700
SPE will offer a certification exam for members interested in becoming certified under the SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification Program*.
This program provides E&P professionals an opportunity to validate technical knowledge, show a commitment to professionalism, obtain a recognized credential, and achieve employer and peer recognition. Register for the exam and download the exam study guide.
* SPE Certification is a credential of technical knowledge as demonstrated by exam. SPE Certification does not constitute a license to practice petroleum engineering or permit the use of the title engineer in public or on legal documents.
Sunday, 30 October
Section Officer Workshop
0930–1700
SPE Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section Panel Discussion
1330–1730
Well construction automation expands into completions, re-entry, and fluids management followed by a live demonstration of topdrive automation! Join the SPE Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS) for a half-day interactive panel discussion on these and related topics. There is no charge to attend this meeting. However, due to limited seating, you must register to attend. Learn more.
Speakers:
- Adrian Vuyk, Weatherford
- Ed Wood, Baker Hughes
- Craig Godfrey, Halliburton
- Dinesh Patel, Schlumberger
- Jason Norman, Apache
SPE Distinguished Lecturer 50th Anniversary Reception
(By invitation only)
1700–1830
Diamond Sponsor:
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the SPE Distinguished Lecturer Program will host a reception at ATCE. This invitation-only event is being held to honor past and current lecturers, Distinguished Lecturer committee members, and other distinguished guests for their contributions to the program. Read more.
R&D Technical Section Dinner
Can Natural Gas Become the First Primary Energy Source?
1930–2200
Speaker: Kamel Bennaceur
Registration for this event is closed.
The last decade has witnessed major changes in the world energy scene. With less than half of the CO2 emissions compared to coal, natural gas could become a “destination fuel,” instead of a transition fuel, this century.
The presentation addresses the conditions of development of natural gas beyond its current production basins and the scenarios for its growth in the next four decades. Unconventional gas has the potential to expand reserves-to-production ratios from 60 years to more than a century, with a wider distribution of production sources. The development of such resources, as well as conventional but sour gas, presents a number of environmental challenges. Technologies and processes that may address such challenges will be discussed.
Monday, 31 October
25-Year Club Breakfast
0700–0900
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 35
The 25-Year Club will host a breakfast with a keynote presentation from SPE Past President T. Don Stacy. The club, open daily, is a special lounge for SPE members with 25 years or more of continuous membership, as well as Legion of Honor, Century Club, and other invited guests.
Opening General Session
Enhancing Standards and Best Practices in the Oil Industry
1030–1200
Moderator: Chad Deaton, Chairman, Baker Hughes
Recent events and the increasing level of activity in very challenging operating environments have highlighted the importance of industry standards and best practices. The complexity of industry operations not only makes it more challenging to ensure safety and environmental protection, but also adds to the difficulties of providing sound regulatory oversight and gaining public acceptance.
SPE has invited global oil industry leaders, government officials, and experts from other leading industries to express their visions and to provide their views on how industry standards and best practices can ensure safe operations, environmental protection, and public acceptance of our activities.
Issues to be addressed include the role of industry associations, identifying which aspects of E&P need greater attention, sharing and leveraging technology solutions, and the relationships of the industry with government agencies and other stakeholders in the many parts of the world where we operate.
Panelists:
- Matthias Bichsel, Member of the Executive Committee and Director of Projects and Technology, Royal Dutch Shell plc
- José Formigli, Pre-Salt Executive Manager, Petrobras
- The Honorable Mary Landrieu, United States Senate
- William S. McArthur, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance, NASA Johnson Space Center
Keynote Luncheon
Congressional Action and the Need to Address Regulatory Burdens
1215–1345
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 45
Keynote Speaker: Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, United States House of Representatives
With the economy struggling, Congress must address the growing regulatory burden on job creators. Removing regulatory red tape is necessary to jump start the US economy. Is that sufficient? McCarthy will address this issue.
Special Session
Economic Modeling in Oil and Gas Markets
1400–1700
Moderator: Carol Dahl, Colorado School of Mines
Panelists will discuss the current interest in the E&P industry, statistical analysis of super cycles in oil prices, an optimization model that minimizes bidding risk, simulation of the effect of shale gas on world LNG markets, and a game theory model related to environmental policies and oil spills.
Panelists:
- Abdel Zellou, PhD Student, Colorado School of Mines
- Yris Olaya, Assistant Professor, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- William Lambert, PhD Candidate, Colorado School of Mines
- Arturo Vasquez Cordano, PhD Candidate, Colorado School of Mines
Mile High Masquerade Reception on Exhibit Floor
1600–1730
The Mile High Masquerade reception on the exhibit floor will welcome attendees and exhibitors to ATCE. Enjoy strolling artisans, themed catering, mood lighting and music, as well as masks and beads to wear.
Young Professionals Reception
1730–1900
Admittance included with Young Professionals Workshop ticket.
College and University Alumni Receptions
1730–1900
Many universities have scheduled alumni breakfasts and receptions to coincide with ATCE 2011. These events provide excellent opportunities for attendees to visit and get reacquainted with old friends, and to build new relationships with other professionals. Some alumni events require separate ticket purchase. Browse a complete list of alumni events and locations.
Tuesday, 1 November
University Alumni Breakfast
0700–0830
Many universities have scheduled alumni breakfasts and receptions to coincide with ATCE 2011. These events provide excellent opportunities for attendees to visit and get reacquainted with old friends, and to build new relationships with other professionals. Some alumni events require separate ticket purchase. Browse a complete list of alumni events and locations.
Build Your Career Teams—Breakfast Social
Building and Using Career Teams to Achieve Career Success
0700–0830 (Doors open at 0645 hours)
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 25
Sponsored by
Join the SPE Task Force for Women in the Petroleum Industry for a breakfast social to see old friends and to make new ones.
A career path has many ups and downs, and it helps to have career teams who can help you celebrate the good times and support you through the bad times. Regardless of where you are in your career, there is always something new to learn about building career teams for support and guidance.
Join us for this eye-opening breakfast social where you will hear about the four types of teams you need throughout your career—mentors, coaches, technical networks, and friends and family.
Come prepared to discuss and share ideas on building and using career teams to achieve and maintain career success. Who knows? Maybe some of your new friends will become a valued member of one of your career teams!
Please note: Seating for the event is limited; early registration is strongly recommended.
About the Task Force
The SPE Task Force for Women in the Petroleum Industry was organized in 2010 to review and address the resources SPE makes available to women working in the petroleum industry.
Special Session
Role of the Petroleum Industry in the Process of Capture,
Storage, and Use of CO2
0830–1155
Moderator: Tom Knode, Halliburton
This session is a collaborative effort of all six of the technical directors of the SPE Board. The directors will address issues such as technology, public acceptance, international collaboration, and financial considerations. Additional focus will be on the use of aquifer storage for CO2, the use of CO2 for EOR, and the notion that CO2 injection or storage is a viable solution to the greenhouse gas problem.
Panelists:
- Kamel Bennaceur, SPE Technical Director of Management and Information, Chair of SPE CCS Committee, Schlumberger
- Ahmed Abou-Sayed, SPE Technical Director of Production and Operations, Advantek
- Jeff Simmons, Occidental
- Christine Ehlig-Economides, Texas A&M University
- Haroon Kheshgi, ExxonMobil
Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Session
0900–1000
This session is for faculty advisors to share successes and tips for overcoming challenges with student chapters.
Young Professionals Program
0900–1330
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 50
Sponsored by
Are you curious to know what is your professional potential? Has anyone ever told you that you have potential, but you are not yet sure in what capacity? If so, join us at the ATCE 2011 Young Professionals Workshop where we will explore the managerial and technical paths available in the industry. Read more.
Expo Luncheon on Exhibit Floor
1200–1400
R&D Technical Section Topical Luncheon
Nanotechnology Developments for Upstream Oil and Gas Operations
1215–1345
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 45
Curious about the growing buzz surrounding the nanotechnology field and its relevance to the upstream oil and gas industry? Then plan to attend the special topical luncheon organized by the SPE R&D Technical Section.
A diverse panel of industry experts will describe the current status of a wide range of nanotechnology developments and field applications. Panelists will review the growing extent and maturity of nanotechnology R&D programs, present a case history of successful nano-product development and commercialization, describe actual field experience in the use of nano-materials for EOR applications, and provide an operator’s perspective on industry near future needs and expectations for nanotechnologies. A panel Q&A session will follow the presentations.
Featured Panelists:
- Mr. Matt Bell, President, GEODynamics and EPNanonet - Brief Overview of Nanotechnology and Outline of Existing Nanotechnology R&D Programs
- Dr. Gaurav Agrawal, Director, Enterprise Research, Baker Hughes - Case History of Nano-Product Development and Commercialization
- Mr. Leandro Balzano, Nanomaterials Specialist, Shell - Industry Needs and Expectations for Nano materials / Nano Technologies
- Dr. Howard K. Schmidt, Petroleum Engineering Consultant, Saudi Aramco - Nano Technologies for EOR Applications
Rocky Mountain Region
Topical Luncheon
Executive Management View on Developing
Liquids-Rich Shale Basins
1215–1345
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 45
Introduction: Arnis Judzis,Vice President, TerraTek,
a Schlumberger company
Keynote Speaker: Jim Kleckner, Vice President, Operations, Anadarko
With the strong pricing for liquids, horizontal drilling activity continues to ramp-up throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. This increase in activity has strained every aspect of oilfield operations—from the permitting of wells to the removal of hydrocarbons from a basin. Additionally, operators and service companies need to learn to operate in an ever-changing regulatory environment. Jim Kleckner will present an overview of what operators are doing to meet these challenges and advance their drilling programs.
Rocky Mountain Region Panel Session
Considerations for Liquids-Rich Horizontal Wells
1400–1700
Moderator: Mike Eberhard, Anadarko
Over the last decade there has been rapid growth within the unconventional gas basins through the application of new technologies associated with horizontal wells. With the price differential between gas and oil at an all-time high in the US, operators are making a switch to more liquids-rich areas.
This panel will share some of the lessons learned in dealing with liquids-rich, rather than dry, natural gas horizontal wells.
Panelists offers operator, service company, and academic perspectives on their work in the Bakken formation in North Dakota, Niobrara formation in Colorado, and the Eagle Ford formation in Texas.
The panel will also discuss some of the design and operational differences that should be considered for liquids-rich plays.
Panelists:
- John Paneitz, Whiting Petroleum Corporation
- Clyde Finlay, ConocoPhillips
- C. Mark Pearson, Liberty Resources
- Donnie Moore, Noble Energy
- Neil Stegent, Halliburton
- Mike Conway, Stim-Lab
- Dean Willberg, Schlumberger
- Erdal Ozkan, Colorado School of Mines
Happy Hour on Exhibit Floor
1630–1730
Sponsored by 
Annual Reception and Banquet
1900–2300
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 95
Sponsored by 
Join us to celebrate key successes within SPE and the oil and gas industry as a whole. Prior to the Annual Banquet, all banquet attendees are invited to gather for a reception. The Annual Banquet recognized distinguished SPE members who have made significant contributions to the industry. Separate ticket purchase required.
Wednesday, 2 November
Energy Education Institute: Energy4me "Energize Your Classroom" Teacher Workshop
0730–1500
Sponsored by
Energy4me, SPE’s energy education outreach program, will invite 100 Denver-area classroom teachers (of students ages 12–18) to attend a free, 1-day energy education workshop. Educators will receive hands-on training provided by the US National Energy Education Development project (NEED), listen to a presentation from a prominent keynote speaker, and tour the ATCE exhibitions. Additionally, educators will receive a variety of free instructional materials to take back to their classrooms. There is no cost for teachers to attend the workshop, thanks to a generous sponsorship from ExxonMobil. See details.
Special Session
Environmental Considerations in Shale Play Development
0830–1155
Moderator: Ana Djuric, Halliburton
Shale play development, including hydraulic fracturing, is a prevalent topic in the US media, legislative, and regulatory communities. This panel session is intended to generate open discussions on current HSE and social issues in the US and how these challenges may translate around the globe.
Panelists:
- Kayli Clements, Sr. Environmental Scientist, M-I SWACO
- Kathryn Klaber, President and Executive Director, Marcellus Shale Coalition
- Doug Flanders, Director of Policy & External Affairs, Colorado Oil & Gas Association
- Nick Douglas, Sr. Advisor, Oil Shale Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
- Bernadette Rappold, Director, Special Litigation and Projects Division, Office of Civil Enforcement, US EPA
Energy Education Institute: Energy4me High School Student STEM Event
0830–1330
Sponsored by
SPE is educating the next generation of aspiring engineers, scientists and managers in the E&P industry. Approximately 200 high school students will see firsthand the exciting opportunities the industry has to offer. The program will include a scavenger hunt of the technology exhibits and hands-on energy lessons provided by the US National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project. Students will also have the opportunity to meet industry professionals and ask questions about possible careers in the E&P industry. See details.
President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting of Members
1200–1315
Purchase a ticket to this event. Ticket price: USD 50
Sponsored by 
Attend this prestigious event where 2011 SPE President Alain Labastie will share the achievements and new initiatives to benefit members. You will also have the opportunity to meet SPE Board members and 2012 SPE President Ganesh C. Thakur, and learn more about outstanding sections, student chapters, and volunteers.
Coffee and Dessert with Exhibitors
1315–1400
Talent Council Session
Workforce Challenges for 2012
1400–1700
The panel discussion will focus on what’s new and what’s coming in the future. The "Crew Change" is here, but what’s next? Topics will include SPE Talent Council initiatives related to petroleum engineering education, gender diversity, technical knowledge matrix for graduating petroleum engineers, and the SPE Faculty Task Force.
Panelists:
- Alain Gringarten, Imperial College, Moderator
- Ford Brett, PetroSkills
- Tom Blasingame, Texas A&M University
- Eve Sprunt, Chevron
- Maria Capello, Kuwait Oil Company
- Caziluqui Pedro, Chevron Angola
- Mohan Kelkar, Tulsa University
- Pierre Bismuth, Schlumberger
Thursday, 3 November
Field Trip
Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs of the Denver Basin
0800–1700
This event is sold out.
Field Guide: Stephen A. Sonnenberg, Colorado School of Mines
Participants should meet in the main lobby of the
Hyatt Regency (ATCE headquarters hotel) to board the bus.
This 1-day field trip will examine outcrop exposures of formations that are productive in the giant Wattenberg gas field. Wattenberg Field is a classic basin-centered petroleum accumulation located in the bottom of the Denver Basin. The trip will examine outcrops of the Muddy (J) Sandstone, Codell Sandstone, and the Niobrara Formation (the main producers in the field). These units include tight gas and chalk/marl reservoirs. We will discuss reservoir properties and heterogeneities of the units. The Niobrara Formation is the current focus of E&P drilling in the Rocky Mountain Region.
The trip will include five stops along the Front Range between Boulder and Lyons, Colorado. Participants will be provided a guidebook, lunch, and beverages as part of the trip.
Quick Links
University Students
Browse a complete list of student events planned for ATCE 2011.
