October 2007
Volume 59 Number 10
Features
Introduction
A welcome to this 50th anniversary issue.
What SPE Has Meant to Me
2007 SPE President Abdul-Jaleel Al-Khalifa, 2008 President William Cobb, and SPE Executive Director Mark Rubin offer brief reflections on the society.
Gallery of SPE Presidents
SPE Presidents Look Back on 50 Years of Growth and Accomplishment
Former SPE Presidents look back on their terms—the highlights, the challenges, and the milestones.
1957–69: The Early Years
An overview of SPE’s first years of operation.
Possible Existence of Deep-Seated Oil Deposits on Gulf Coast
Excerpts from a 1918 technical paper written by Anthony F. Lucas.
SPE: A 1957 Snapshot
What did the society look like a half century ago?
SPE’s Parent Achieved Its Own Lasting Legacy
A brief history of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers.
A Celebration of a Remarkable Half-Century
Noted industry expert and author John M. Campbell Sr. assesses
SPE’s early days and advancement.
1970–79: Change and Challenge
An overview of SPE in the 1970s.
Membership Rolls Have Contained Many Notable Pioneers
A look at some of the more well-known SPE members.
SPE Award Namesakes Were Leaders in the Industry
Brief biographies of the men who bear the names of SPE’s major awards.
Bold Decision To Launch OTC Brought Far-Reaching Results
The origin and history of the Offshore Technology Conference, the industry’s premier offshore event since 1969.
Fifty Years of Change in the Petroleum Engineering
Profession Petroleum engineers and their profession are much different today than when SPE was created.
People Are the Thread That Hold This Industry Together
Guest columnist Iain Percival offers a perspective on changes that have affected the industry’s men and women through the years.
1980–89: Surviving Industry Turbulence
An overview of SPE in the 1980s.
SPE Foundation Supports, Augments Society Programs
The Foundation, made up of the society’s past presidents, has helped SPE to fulfill its mission by helping fund major initiatives.
The Hidden Treasures Stored in SPE’s Technical Paper Archive
Guest columnist Dennis Beliveau reflects on how SPE’s storehouse of technical information advanced his career.
Technical Papers Have Been the Backbone of SPE’s Mission
Some of the classic technical papers in the society’s history.
Drilling in 2032—Back to the Future
Guest columnist John Thorogood studies the evolution of drilling technology but keeps his eye on the future.
Technological Breakthroughs Advanced Upstream E&P’s Evolution
The biggest advances in upstream technology over the past half century.
1984 and Beyond: The Advent of Horizontal Wells
Guest columnist Vik Rao marvels at how several events conspired to usher in perhaps the single most important productivity improvement in the history of the petroleum business.
The Future Technology Challenge—Perfecting the Digital Wellbore
Guest columnist Ali Daneshy explains how digital-wellbore advances could take the industry to the next level of oil and gas operational productivity.
Reminiscences From an Oil Patch Veteran
Guest columnist Richard Bateman on the lighter side of SPE activities.
1990–2007: Toward the Future
An overview of SPE from 1990 to the present.
The Electronic SPE Enhances Society’s International Reach
SPE and the Worldwide Web have become near-perfect partners.
It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)
Guest columnist Stuart Ferguson is optimistic about the industry’s future.
As the Industry Has Changed, So Has Petroleum Engineering Education
Petroleum engineering curricula have kept up with changes in the industry and technology.
The Challenge for the E&P Industry—A New Wave of Innovation
Guest columnist Keith Millheim wonders where the new innovations, and the new innovators, will come from.
Sections Have Brought the Society to Members Where They Live
SPE sections have provided programming and services to members across the globe.
In My Opinion . . .
Guest columnist Joseph E. Warren surveys the current industry landscape.
Technology to Meet the Challenge of Future Energy Supplies
Guest columnist Don Paul assesses the future of upstream technology.
Why Our Approach to Sustainability Is Unsustainable
Guest columnist Thomas Bruni calls on the industry to embrace sustainability.
SPE Scholarships Help Individuals Pursue Their Dreams
Section scholarships have helped members achieve their academic potential.
Sections Celebrate Around the World
Photos from this year’s anniversary celebrations.
SPE Presidents Travel the World
Photos from SPE Presidents’ travels through the years.
