Technical Sections
What Is a Technical Section?
A Technical Section is a group of SPE members with a common interest in a technical area who join together to share ideas, promote competence, and develop projects related to their technical interest.
Technical Sections tend to be more task-oriented than discussion-oriented, unlike Technical Interest Groups, and span geographic areas, unlike SPE geographic sections. Technical Sections are formal, self-operating SPE groups with officers and members. They meet virtually for the most part, but are encouraged to hold a face-to-face meeting at least once a year.
Current Technical Sections
- Drilling Systems Automation
- Information Technology
- Production and Operations
- Research and Development
- Wellbore Positioning
How To Form a Technical Section
Any group of SPE members can propose formation of a Technical Section to the SPE Board of Directors. A proposal should include the following:
- An outline of the purpose and objectives of the group – a “mission statement.”
- The names of committed leadership for the Technical Section and a list of proposed members.
- Proposed governance model outlining leadership positions, processes for selection of leadership, criteria for membership, etc.
Criteria for approval by the Board:
- The mission of the Technical Section supports and furthers the SPE mission.
- The purposes of the group cannot be met by an already existing SPE group.
- Leaders and champions have been identified.
- Sufficient membership is proposed for the group to operate effectively.
- The governance structure is reasonable and functional.
- The membership spans section boundaries.
For more information on starting a Technical Section, contact technicalsections@spe.org
