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Section Anniversaries

Fourteen SPE sections marked milestone anniversaries in 2005 that included one 70-year celebration, one silver anniversary, and two 30-year events. The longevity and talent that these sections embody offer examples of the shared mission of more than 160 SPE sections worldwide. Through successful collaboration of SPE and its members, sections throughout the world bring together top managers and engineers in a forum for petroleum professionals to discuss common issues, to network, and to stay abreast of technical developments through timely presentations.

70 Years of Gulf Coast Community

Photos from yesteryear (hung in Houston’s Weiss Energy Hall for the Gulf Coast Section anniversary event) lit the faces of Gulf Coast Section (GCS) members, friends, and colleagues, reminding them of a legacy brimming with success. Faces from 1938 and 1939 beamed with pride in fellowship and purpose. The just-renovated exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science provided an ideal setting for the anniversary with the theme “70 Years, a Legacy of Success Through Community, Leadership, and Education.”

The evening event was timed to coincide with the conclusion of the 2005 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Among nearly 200 guests taking time out to unwind and mingle with locals and visitors from around the world was 2006 SPE President Eve Sprunt. A history of successful networking was once again apparent—24 organizations sponsored the gala.

Past Section Chairpersons present at the gathering included Sid Smith Sr. (1984-85), Burt Nelson (1989-90), Bill Kemp (1992-93), Mike Black (1995-96), Buddy Woodroof (1997-98), Steve McCants (1998-99), Janeen Judah (2001-02), Sid Smith Jr. (2003-04), Susan Howes (2004-05), and Bryant Mueller (2005-06). 2006-07 Chairperson Robbin Jones also was in attendance.

Wife Eda and 1984–85 GCS Chairperson Sid Smith Sr.

On hand for the GCS 70th anniversary were (left to right) wife Lee and Signa Vice President Dave Roseland and Signa President Bob Davis and his wife, Julia.

50 Years of Los Angeles Basin Fellowship

The 50th anniversary of the Los Angeles Basin Section (LASPE) drew almost 150 people to the Long Beach Petroleum Club. Sprunt opened the evening program by recognizing 15 Section Honor Roll members for their efforts. The work of LASPE began with the first regional meeting as an AIME section in 1930. The section has had two AIME presidents, four SPE presidents, three honorary SPE members, and 19 distinguished members. The Cedric Ferguson Award is named after a member of LASPE.

The Victoria and Tasmania Section in Melbourne, Australia, celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Kelvin Club. Pausing to celebrate during the Section’s June meeting were (from left, back row) Tim Hart, Bob Motta, Graham Bunn, Phil Mitchell, Charles Balnaves, and Lincoln Paterson and (from left, front row) Rod Harris and Tom Snow.

The event featured two presentations—one by Iraj Ershaghi, Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the U. of Southern California, and one by Richard Stegemeier, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unocal. Ershaghi’s talk, “Metamorphoses of Oil and Technologies,” began with a trivia quiz to engage the audience. In “Fossil Fuel, the Servant of Mankind,” Stegemeier projected that the fossil fuel segment of the industry will exist for a long time to come and predicted that LASPE will celebrate a 100th anniversary.

30 Years in Aberdeen

Celebrating three decades of teamwork between the Society and petroleum professionals in the Aberdeen region, guest of honor 2005 SPE President Giovanni Paccaloni addressed a full house of 200 members and guests at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel. Three directors of the Aberdeen Section offered personal reminiscences: Barry Hood (1970s), Ian Phillips (1980s), and John Donachie (1990s). Their speeches reflected industry changes from wildcat days to the construction of major platforms/installations to the shock and safety repercussions of the Piper Alpha platform tragedy. Councillor Iain Yuill, deputy leader of the Aberdeen City Council, spoke on Aberdeen’s place as a global energy city.

Russ Gilbert, 2005 Aberdeen Section Chairperson, giving opening remarks at Aberdeen celebration.

Proceeds from a dinner quiz raised U.K. £1,100 to be shared between the Aberdeen Children’s Hospital Charity and the Oil Industry Chaplaincy. Quiz winner Christian Shields of BP also donated his U.K. £200 prize to the Oil Industry Chaplaincy.

Celebrating 20 years of section activity in Brazil were (seated from left) Section Secretary Farid Schecaira; Bonifacio Bezerra, Section Publicity; Virgilio Martins, Student Chapters; (standing from left) Paulo Ribeiro, Continuing Education; Marcio Pereira, Young Professonals; Ricardo Beltrao, 2003–05 Section Chairperson; Luiz Felipe Rego, Section Treasurer; Ricardo Aboud, SPE Liaison; Anelise Lara, 2006 Section Chairperson; Rogerio Paiva, Brazil Liaison; Heitor Gioppo, Sponsorships; Angela Vargas, Events; Giovanni Paccaloni, 2005 SPE President; and Benjamin Plavinik, Membership.

(From left) Petroleum Engineering Consultant Val Lerma, Rick Finken (2004 Chairperson), and Scott McGurk (2004–06 Section Director) attended LASPE festivities.

Raj Upadhyay, 2005 LASPE Chairperson.

SPE Executive Director Mark Rubin congratulates the France secton on its 20th anniversary reached in 2004. The celebration was held in Paris in 2005.

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