Events and Special Sessions

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Saturday, 6 October

0800–1700

SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification Exam

Room 206B, Concourse Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

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 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, 7 October

0830–1130

How to Write a Good Technical Paper

Lone Star Salon D, Level 2, Grand Hyatt Hotel

SPE is committed to helping authors submit their best possible paper to conferences and journals. During ATCE, SPE will offer a free 3-hour session on how to write a good proposal and a great paper. This session will also include tips and tricks on making a good presentation and what it takes to prepare a paper for the peer-review process.

Please let us know if you plan to attend! RSVP to this event.

Instructor: Byron Haynes

Byron Haynes is a principal reservoir engineer with Shell Oil Company. He has more than 28 years of experience working on projects in Texas, Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. He is a Shell subject matter expert for miscible gas flooding and PVT. Haynes has been an active member of SPE since 1978 and has served on numerous committees. He is cochairperson of the SPE IOR/EOR technical interest group. He has published a number of technical papers for SPE and currently serves as an associate editor for the SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering journal.

0900–1700

Section Officer Workshop

Texas Ballroom A, Level 4, Grand Hyatt Hotel

1000–1130

Student Meet and Greet

Ballroom C Foyer, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Make friends from around the world! SPE will have special activities at this event to help you meet and get to know other students.

Sponsored by:

1145–1400

Student Awards Luncheon and General Session

Ballroom C-3, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Update: Tickets are no longer available for the Student Awards Luncheon; however, students are still welcome to attend the Student General Session.

The event begins with a complimentary lunch for those who reserved a ticket.

During the general session, students can learn more about their future professional careers. SPE will also honor the Gold Standard Achievement Student Chapter winners, regional winners for the SPE Outstanding Student Chapters, and scholarship winners.

Luncheon Speaker:

Dan Scott, Senior Technical Advisor, Baker Hughes, and 2012 SPE Distinguished Member

Sponsored by:

1300–1700

DSATS Drilling Systems Automation Symposium: Shaping the Future of Drilling

Texas Salon D, Level 4, Grand Hyatt Hotel

Organized by the SPE Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section (DSATS)

This event is complimentary; however, registration is required. Register now »

This event will feature keynote addresses from highly regarded speakers with experience in advancing automation technology applications. A reception will follow, which includes technology displays and demonstrations of advanced robotic capabilities in use today.

Presentations/Speakers:

Accelerating Drilling Systems Automation—Lessons from the Development of Industrial Automation

• John Berra, Senior Advisor and Past Chairman, Emerson Process Management

Drilling and Stimulation: How Will Applying Advanced Automation Shape The Future

• Chris LeBlanc, North American Energy Segment Manager, National Instruments

A Day in the Life of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Project Manager

• Ed Tovar, Principal, InTechSys

1430–1745

Student Great Ideas Session – Hear Our Voice!

Ballroom C-3, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

In this session run by Getenergy, students will compete on teams to create their very own technical or professional workshop on a subject of their choosing. The winning team will be able to take their concept to full design and production, and Getenergy will host this workshop at their 2013 Global Conference in London, including flying the winning team to London.

The experience will be an invaluable guide to networking with senior industry figures, understanding the impact of industry issues on a wide scale, learning practical marketing skills, building international bridges between companies and competitors, and producing a workshop of which they can be genuinely proud.

1545–1645

Student Chapter Officer Workshop

Ballroom C-3, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Student chapter officers are invited to collaborate and discuss new ideas and best practices for their student chapters.

1930–2200

R&D Technical Section Dinner

Switch: The Global Energy Transition

Lone Star Salon F, Level 2, Grand Hyatt Hotel

Event ticket purchase is required.

Keynote Speaker:

Scott W. Tinker, Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and Allday Endowed Chair Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

The Research and Development Technical Section’s annual meeting will include a short discussion highlighting the activities of the section, as well as an interesting keynote presentation by Scott Tinker. Tinker will discuss the future of global energy, referencing his new, acclaimed documentary film, Switch.

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Monday, 8 October

0700–0900

25-Year Club Breakfast

Room 006 A–C, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

The 25-Year Club will host a breakfast with a keynote presentation from SPE Past President Lyn Arscott.

The club, open daily, is a special lounge for SPE members with 25 years or more of continuous membership, Century Club members, current and former SPE Board officers and directors, as well as this year’s SPE International award winners and Distinguished Lecturers.

0800–0900

Welcome Breakfast Social - Sold Out!

Presidio A–C, Level 3, Grand Hyatt Hotel

Event ticket purchase is required.

This continental breakfast provides an opportunity for attendees to meet casually with friends attending the conference.

0800–1700

PetroBowl

Room 001, River Level and Room 103, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

The student PetroBowl contest will present student chapter teams in a tournament-style contest that tests knowledge of the E&P industry and SPE. A reception for the teams will immediately follow the event.

0900–1700

International Student Paper Contest

0900–1300        Undergraduate           Room 008B, River Level

0900–1700        Master’s                    Room 008A, River Level

1300–1700        PhD                          Room 008B, River Level

Watch presenters from around the world compete in the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD divisions.

1030–1200

Opening General Session
Making Unconventionals Conventional

Grand Ballroom C1–C2, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Moderator: David Hobbs, Chief Energy Strategist, IHS CERA

Unconventional oil and gas resources have recently assumed an increasingly important role in meeting world energy demand. The growth in shale gas production has significantly altered perceptions regarding energy supplies and has rejuvenated industry activity in regions previously thought to have passed maturity. There is a sense, however, that the surge in activity has outpaced the development of the technologies and best practices necessary to safely and cost-effectively exploit these resources.

In the opening general session, a distinguished panel of experts will offer their perspectives on the state of practice of unconventional oil and gas exploitation. The panel will address technological and financial challenges associated with its production. Issues include resource size, drilling and completions, safety, and the environment. The primary goal of this session is to go beyond the buzzwords to arrive at broad and practical ideas for making unconventional resources mainstream.

Panelists:

• Mark Albers, Senior Vice President, ExxonMobil
• Timothy Dove, President and Chief Operating Officer, Pioneer Natural Resources
• Steve Holditch, Director, Texas A&M Energy Institute
• David Lesar, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Halliburton

1215–1345

Keynote Luncheon - Sold Out!

Energy Outlook: At the Intersection of Geopolitics, Macroeconomics, and Technology

Grand Ballroom C3, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Speaker:

David Hobbs, Chief Energy Strategist, IHS CERA

Sponsored by:

1400–1700

Special Session
Partnering with Communities in Order to Maintain our License to Operate

Room 210, Concourse Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Moderator: Michael Oxman, Director, Advisory Services, BSR

Across the globe, the oil and gas industry faces technical challenges to find and extract resources. Once found, the challenges begin on a different front when working with local governments and citizens to ensure responsible operations. In this session, panelists will discuss successful strategies and pitfalls to avoid when partnering with communities.

Panelist:

Doug Bannerman, Head of Social Responsibility, Statoil

1700–1800

Reception on Exhibit Floor

Exhibit Halls B–D, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

This reception on the exhibit floor will welcome attendees and exhibitors to ATCE. 

1730–1900

College and University Alumni Receptions

Grand Hyatt Hotel (see details below)

Many universities have scheduled alumni receptions to coincide with ATCE 2012. These events provide excellent opportunities for attendees to visit and get reacquainted with old friends, and to build new relationships with other professionals.

See a complete list of receptions.

1730–1900

Young Professionals Reception

Seguin A–B, Level 4, Grand Hyatt Hotel

This event is complimentary; however, young professionals must reserve a ticket during the registration process.

1930–2200

Learnings from Facilities Megaprojects Dinner

Room 006 A–C, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Moderator: Ken Arnold, Senior Technical Advisor, WorleyParsons

This Projects, Facilities and Construction special event will discuss some of the largest and most innovative projects in our industry. In many respects these projects have shaped and set the pace for others to follow.

The event will bring together extraordinary panelists who will discuss some of the problems overcome and lessons learned on four challenging projects:

• Installation of massive production facilities in a short time span for several million BOPD in Saudi Arabia
• Large offshore facilities in Brazil
• Pioneering of deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico
• Canadian oil sands projects in Alberta, Canada

You will learn about the efforts that went into the concept, design, execution, and production of these unique projects. Join us for this exciting event!

Panelists:

• Abdulrahman Al-Jarri, Manager, Production and Facilities Development Department, Saudi Aramco
• Gordon Sterling, Consultant and Retired, Shell
• Ivan Garcia Santos, Manager, Top Side Engineering, Petrobras

• Edward W. Merrow, President and CEO, Independent Project Analysis, Inc.

Sponsored by:

1930–2200

Petroleum Data-Driven Analytics Technical Section Reception

Iron Cactus Grill (off site)

You are invited to join us for a reception to launch the new SPE Technical Section, Petroleum Data-Driven Analytics (PD²A), whose aim is to foster the application of data-driven modeling, data mining and predictive analytics in the upstream oil and gas industry.

Speakers:

• Fareed AlSayed Abdulla, SPE Regional Director, Middle East Region, Senior Vice President (Bab & Gas), Abu Dhabi Co. Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO)
• Matthew Denesuk, Manager of Natural Resources Modeling and Social Analytics, IBM Research, Partner, IBM Venture Capital Group

This is the place to learn about this forward-thinking, exciting group and network with key decision makers in the E&P industry. Space is limited, so if you are not already a member, join the Technical Section and email your RSVP by 1 October to reception@spe.org today!

Please submit your name and number of guests attending to be added to the guest list. (Note: Limit of two guests per Technical Section member.)

1930–2200

Switch Documentary Screening

Lila Cockrell Theater, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Join us Monday evening in the Lila Cockrell Theater for a screening of the award-winning documentary film, Switch. Attendance is complimentary. Watch the trailer.

Your RSVP is recommended but not required. RSVP for this event »

About Switch

What does the future of energy really hold? Join energy visionary Dr. Scott Tinker on a spectacular global adventure to find out.

Dr. Tinker explores the world’s leading energy sites, from coal to solar, oil to biofuels, many highly restricted and never before seen on film. He gets straight answers from the people driving energy today, international leaders of government, industry, and academia. In the end, he cuts through the confusion to discover a path to our future that is surprising and remarkably pragmatic.

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Tuesday, 9 October

0830–1155

Special Session
EOR—Out of the Lab and into the Field

Room 210, Concourse Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Moderator: Gene Narahara, Chevron

It is time to take EOR out of the lab and into the fields! This session explores how well has EOR worked in the field as a pilot or in full-field applications. Were the hurdles just subsurface, or were there installation and facilities issues? Did the wells need to be customized for the project? Operators will present the outcomes and lessons learned in applying EOR in the field.

Panelists:

• Cosan Ayan, Schlumberger
• Danielle Morel, Total
• Gary Jerauld, BP
• Greg King, Chevron
• Sidhartha Sur, Mansarovar Energy

0900–1445

New Event! Cross-Generational Program

Cross-Generational Teams Adding Value to the Workplace

Room 006 A–C, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Whether you are a student, young professional, mid-career, or seasoned professional, everyone encounters challenges in the workplace. Overcoming those challenges requires a combination of technical skills, soft skills, and teamwork. Join us for this new event to practice these skills by working within a cross-generational team to solve an industry-related challenge. Participants will be given a case study allowing them to hone their skills in communication, negotiation, and collaboration to present a solution.

Facilitator: C. Susan Howes, Reservoir Management Consultant, Chevron

Program Agenda

0900–0910              Welcome

0910–0920              Agenda and Instructions for Team Project

0920–1130              Team Work Time

1130–1215              Working Lunch

1215–1420              Team Presentations

1420–1430              Judging

1430–1445              Wrap Up and Closing Remarks

This event is supported by the SPE Soft Skills Council, the SPE Young Professionals Coordinating Committee, and the SPE Talent Council.

Sponsored by:

1000–1200

Faculty Advisor and Section Student Liaison Officer Session

Room 007C, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

This session brings together the various officer roles working with student members to talk about how they can work more effectively together, share best practices, and identify ways to better engage students together as the professionals of tomorrow. If you have any connection to students within your volunteer role at SPE, then this session will be for you.

1215–1345

Wellbore Positioning Technical Section Topical Luncheon
Survey Management Implications for Unconventional Reservoirs

Grand Ballroom C3, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Moderator: Robert Wylie, Product Line Director, National Oilwell Varco

The SPE Wellbore Positioning Technical Section promotes best practices in survey management for drilling. This topical luncheon will look at unconventional plays around the world, technology employed and the surveying challenges they bring, as well as a look at survey pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Speakers:

• William Allen, Segment Engineering Technical Authority, BP, and Chairman, Wellbore Positioning Technical Section
• Kyel Hodenfield, VP Unconventional Resources, Schlumberger
• Angus Jamieson, Professor, University of Highlands and Islands

1215–1345

R&D Technical Section Topical Luncheon
Subsurface Hydrocarbon Containment: Challenges and R&D Needs

Grand Ballroom C1–C2, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Chairman: David Curry, Technology Fellow, Baker Hughes, and SPE R&D Technical Section Chairman

Moderator: Cam Matthews, Director, New Technology Ventures, C-FER Technologies

In recent years, subsurface hydrocarbon containment has become a hot topic within the oil and gas industry. The widespread interest has been sparked by a number of events and new developments such as the occurrence of some major offshore and deepwater well integrity incidents and public concern regarding the rapid growth in the application of resource recovery methodologies involving fracturing.

The SPE Research and Development Technical Section is hosting a special topical luncheon on the challenges of subsurface hydrocarbon containment and the R&D needed to overcome those challenges. A panel of industry experts will address various issues, challenges, and R&D needs relevant to this topic in a series of informative and thought-provoking presentations. A question and answer session will follow the presentations.

SPE R&D Committee – 5 Grand Challenges

• Arnis Judzis, Vice President, TerraTek a Schlumberger company, and SPE R&D Committee Chairman

Hydrocarbon Containment During Offshore/Deepwater Well Construction

• J C Cunha, Drilling Manager, Ecopetrol Inc.

Hydrocarbon Containment During Unconventional Oil and Gas Well Construction

• George King, Distinguished Engineering Advisor, Apache

Geomechanics Aspects of Subsurface Hydrocarbon Containment Challenges

• Dan Moos, Technology Fellow, Baker Hughes

1200–1400

Expo Luncheon on Exhibit Floor

Exhibit Halls B–D, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Sponsored by:

1630–1730

Happy Hour on Exhibit Floor

Exhibit Halls B–D, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Sponsored by:

1900–2300

Annual Reception and Banquet - Sold Out!

Villita Assembly Hall, La Villita (off site)

Event ticket purchase is required.

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 recognizes outstanding SPE members who have made significant contributions to the industry.

The 2012 SPE international award winners have been announced. Join us in congratulating these outstanding members.

Sponsored by:

Wednesday, 10 October

0730–1500

Energy4me "Energize Your Classroom" Teacher Workshop

Room 007A/B, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Energy4me, SPE’s energy education outreach program, will invite 100 San Antonio-area classroom teachers (grades 4 -12) to attend a free, 1-day energy education workshop. Educators will receive comprehensive, objective information about the scientific concepts of energy and its importance while discovering the world of oil and natural gas exploration and production. Learn more »

Sponsored by:

0830–1330

Energy4me High School Student STEM Event

Room 006A/B/C, River Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Energy4me, SPE’s energy education outreach program, is educating the next generation of aspiring engineers, scientists and managers about the oil and gas industry. Approximately 200 high school students will see firsthand the exciting opportunities in the oil and gas industry. Students will have the opportunity to perform hands-on experiments and explore advance technology on the exhibition floor. Learn more »

Sponsored by:

0830–1155

Special Session

Knowledge Sharing on Separations

Room 210, Concourse Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Moderator: Robert Chin, Shell

Reliable separation is becoming an enabling technology to develop remote location resources (e.g. arctic, deepwater, and subsea) and more difficult applications (e.g. heavy oil, produced water, and sand disposal). Separations expertise is scattered around the globe without opportunities to share separation technology, fundamental research, and device qualification, or network to discuss common problems. The SPE Separations Technology Section will help address these challenges by organizing events, capturing lessons learned, and eventually fostering some JIPs. 

This session covers separation topics ranging from issues with conventional separator design to emerging technology trends.

Speakers:

• Ken Arnold, Senior Technical Advisor, WorleyParsons
• Mark Bothamley, Chief Engineer, John M. Campbell
• Gary Sams, R&D Director, Oil Products, Cameron

Panel Discussion:  Emerging Technology Trends

Moderators:

• Victor van Asperen, General Manager, Separation Systems Americas, FMCTI
• Chris Buckingham, Program Director, Mechanical Engineering Division, SWRI

Panelists:

• Ole Okland, Manager Subsea Technology & Operations, Statoil
• Ed Grave, Fractionation and Separation Specialist, ExxonMobil
• Jimmie Riesenberg, Engineering Manager, Compact Modular Processing Systems, Chevron

1200–1315

President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting of Members

Grand Ballroom C1–C2, Grand Ballroom Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Event ticket purchase is required.

Attend this prestigious event where 2012 SPE President Ganesh C. Thakur will share the achievements and new initiatives to benefit members. You will also have the opportunity to meet SPE Board members, 2013 SPE President Egbert Imomoh, and SPE Distinguished Members, and learn more about outstanding sections and volunteers.

Sponsored by:

1315–1400

Coffee and Dessert with Exhibitors

Exhibit Halls B–D, Street Level, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Please note that the Field Trip scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled.

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