Director's Blog
August 2025
30 Years of SPE Asia Pacific: Celebrating Our Legacy, Shaping Our Future
This year marks a significant milestone for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) as it marks its 30th Anniversary in Asia Pacific. Over the past three decades, we have built a strong community of energy professionals united by a shared purpose: advancing technical knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving the industry forward responsibly.
Established in 1995 in response to the region’s expanding membership and growing demand for activities aligned with SPE’s mission and vision. Proudly brought to Kuala Lumpur with the support of PETRONAS, the office was inaugurated on 8th September 1995. Since then, SPE Asia Pacific has grown to serve over 25,000 members across the wider region and continues to deliver more than 20 world-class events and programmes annually. These include flagship multi-society, large-scale conferences such as OTC Asia and IPTC, which play a pivotal role in advancing the energy industry across Asia Pacific and beyond.
From our earliest beginnings to becoming a regional hub for innovation and expertise, the SPE Asia Pacific journey has always been shaped by the passion and commitment of our members. This anniversary is not just a celebration of what has been achieved, but also a call to action to continue creating impact in the years ahead.
Planting for the Future Initiative
As part of the anniversary celebrations, we launched the “Planting for the Future” initiative, a tree adoption programme symbolising SPE’s homage to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – its host country – and its commitment to sustainability. Each tree planted represents a pledge – by our members, partners and stakeholders – to contribute to a greener environment and to future generations.
This initiative goes beyond a symbolic gesture. Trees are a living legacy: they restore biodiversity, capture carbon and strengthen communities. For an industry that has always played a pivotal role in powering progress, it is also a reminder of our responsibility to balance growth with care for all around us. Through “Planting for the Future,” we reinforced that our work is not only about energy, but also about stewardship.
We thank our partners for their sponsorship of this initiative – Baker Hughes, ConocoPhillips, Deleum, Eneos Xplora, PETRONAS, PTTEP, SLB, Weatherford and Woodside Energy.
SPE–HRD Corp MoU: Empowering Talent for Tomorrow
Marking a significant milestone in our 30-year journey, SPE Asia Pacific entered into a strategic partnership with Malaysia’s Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp). The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reflects our shared commitment to preparing professionals for the demands of a rapidly evolving energy sector.
This collaboration grants Malaysian professionals enhanced access to SPE’s globally recognised technical programmes and events, supported by HRD Corp’s levy scheme. It represents a meaningful step toward strengthening local talent development and aligns closely with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap. By expanding opportunities for learning and professional growth, this initiative ensures that the country’s workforce is equipped to contribute to the energy transition and meet future challenges head-on.
The MoU was formalised during the SPE Asia Pacific Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Conference and Exhibition (APCC 2025), held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The event drew over 700 participants from 25+ countries, underscoring the region’s growing focus on sustainable energy solutions.
As technology continues to reshape the energy landscape, it is people - skilled, empowered and forward-looking - who will define its future. This partnership reinforces the importance of access to world-class knowledge and training, ensuring energy professionals remain resilient, innovative and ready to lead.
Left photo: Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, Secretary-General, Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia; Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid, Chairman of the Board of Directors, HRD Corp; Dr. Syed Alwi Bin Mohamed Sultan, Chief Executive, HRD Corp; Michelle Tan, Director of SPE Asia Pacific (M) Sdn Bhd; Terry Palisch, 2024 SPE President; and Hazli Sham bin Kassim, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Asia Pacific Regional Director Senior Vice President, Malaysia Assets, PETRONAS and Chief Executive Officer, PETRONAS Carigali
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate three decades of SPE in Asia Pacific, we do so with gratitude for the unwavering support of our members, industry partners and collaborators. The 30th Anniversary Celebration, the Planting for the Future Initiative, and the SPE–HRD Corp MoU are all milestones that reflect not only where we have been, but where we are headed.
Our focus remains clear: to advance energy responsibly, empower people, and leave a positive legacy for the next generation. With the strength of our community and the vision we share, I am confident that the next 30 years will be even more impactful.
Hazli Sham Kassim
Senior Vice President, Malaysia Assets, PETRONAS
CEO, PETRONAS Carigali
SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director (2024–2026)
Blog Archive
It is my great honour to begin my term as an SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important organisation and to work together with colleagues across the globe during this very exciting and dynamic time for the energy industry.
This year began on a high note with the 17th International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) being held from 18–20 February in Kuala Lumpur. Hosted by PETRONAS and co-hosted by SLB, IPTC 2025 recorded the highest-ever attendance for its Asia Pacific edition, welcoming over 11,800 participants from 75 countries.
With the theme “Energy for All: Reflect >> Innovate >> Evolve,” the conference encouraged us to reflect on our current path, innovate with purpose, and evolve together towards a sustainable energy future.
The technical programme, exhibition and development activities showed the strength of our community and our shared commitment to progress.
Beyond the excellence showcased in over 310 technical presentations, the conference also demonstrated strong momentum around talent development and diversity - areas where IPTC, SPE and its collaborative sponsoring societies continue to lead with purpose.
I was especially encouraged by the involvement of university and high school students, and I hope we will continue to support the next generation of energy engineers.
Following IPTC, I had the pleasure of supporting the first SPE event held in Japan since the pandemic – the SPE/JAPT Workshop on CCUS and Low Carbon Fuels, held in Tokyo this March. With 93 participants from 11 countries and support from ENEOS Xplora, INPEX and JAPEX, the workshop brought together experts, researchers and industry leaders for a much-needed exchange of ideas and technical knowledge.
The two-day programme featured multiple technical sessions exploring the latest advancements in CCUS, including storage monitoring techniques, cost-reduction strategies, and policy frameworks to support deployment. In addition, the workshop addressed the growing role of clean hydrogen and its integration with ammonia supply chains as a key component of Japan’s and the region’s decarbonisation pathways.
It was a proud moment for the Japanese energy community to reconnect after several years and reaffirm our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and regional knowledge exchange. I hope this marks the beginning of more regular SPE activities in Japan.
As we look ahead, I am thrilled to invite you to join the SPE Live: Driving Decarbonization in the Asia-Pacific Energy Sector – Opportunities and Challenges, airing Wednesday, 14 May from 0900–0930 hours. I will be joining Hazli Sham Kassim, Vice President, Development, Upstream, PETRONAS and SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director, for a 30-minute discussion on key drivers for decarbonisation in our region.
Moderated by Henricus Herwin, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Investment at PT Pertamina (Persero), the session will cover:
- Policy and Regulation
- Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
- Methane Emissions Reduction
- Electrification of Energy Systems
- SPE’s Role in Decarbonisation
- The Future Outlook for Asia Pacific
This will be a fantastic opportunity to hear how we are collectively tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time - while accelerating innovation and collaboration. Join the event.
In addition, I am excited for two upcoming events in our series of energy transition programmes for Asia Pacific:
- The SPE Symposium on Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Based Fuels, happening 11–12 June in Jakarta—a first for Indonesia and proudly hosted by Pertamina.
- The inaugural Asia Pacific CCUS Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for 26–27 August in Kuala Lumpur, where we will explore breakthrough technologies and strategic pathways to deploy large-scale carbon management solutions.
In this new role, I look forward to continuing to engage with you - our members, regional Sections and Chapters, and stakeholders. Together, let’s push boundaries and amplify our impact to drive energy innovation and sustainability.
Warm regards,
Koji Yamamoto
SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director (2025–2027)
Senior Councillor, Chief Technology Officer, JOGMEC
I have always viewed the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) as a cornerstone of our so-called "sunset industry." Despite scepticism since the '90s, we continue to ensure energy security and drive innovation. SPE plays a crucial role in connecting industry members, enhancing our deliverables, and achieving sustainable oil and gas operations.
As a Board Member of SPE International for the Asia Pacific region, my role involves engaging with regional SPE sections, student chapters and members to understand their opportunities and challenges. I act as a liaison between these grassroots and SPE International, ensuring they receive the support they need.
On August 5, 2024, during my HSE visit to PETRONAS in Vietnam, I had the opportunity to visit the SPE Vietnam Section. I met with SPE Vietnam Chapter Chairman, Mr. Pham Nam Hieu; its Membership & Sponsorship Chair, Mr. Hugh Sykes; and Miss V Nguyen Y Lan.
During our discussion, we reviewed SPE Vietnam’s planned activities for 2024, including Technical Talks, Workshops, PETROChallenge, PETROBowl, and Young Professional events. We also explored strategies for attracting more members and improving engagement with student chapters.
Additionally, we discussed the potential for Vietnam to host SPE events, including the upcoming SPE Workshop on Gas Field Development scheduled this November. This workshop will focus on regional opportunities and current technical best practices to maximise value.
Following my Vietnam visit, I attended my first SPE/IADC Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition (APDT) in Bangkok. With over 1,200 attendees from 35 countries, this event, hosted by PTTEP, underscores their hospitality and dedication to both SPE and the advancement of technical aspects in our industry. For this, I extend my gratitude to Khun Montri Rawanchaikul, CEO of PTTEP, for his exceptional leadership of the conference and his support of SPE’s mission.
I was honoured to participate in the Executive Plenary on the topic "Advancing Drilling and Well Technologies for a Resilient Future." Joining me on the panel were my fellow SPE APAC Regional Director, Mr. Henricus Herwin, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Investment at PT Pertamina, and esteemed colleagues - Chatit Huayhongtong, President of Chevron Thailand Exploration & Production, Harvey Snowling, Chief Operating Officer of Borr Drilling, and Martin White, Region Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific at Halliburton.
Our discussion encompassed a range of topics including digital transformation, the energy transition, resilience in extreme environments, innovation and collaboration, and sustainability and ESG. We explored strategies and challenges for operators and service companies, emphasising our commitment to collaboration to drive efficiency and safety in the industry.
During my visit, I also met with representatives from both IADC and the SPE Thailand Section. The IADC meeting on August 7, 2024, included IADC President Jason McFarland and his committee, with SPE representation from myself and Michelle Tan, SPE Director Asia Pacific, Events. We shared our commitment to our members and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
In my meeting with the SPE Thailand Section, I was joined by Koji Yamamoto, Vice President of the Energy Business Unit for JOGMEC and the incoming SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director for 2024-27, as well as Michelle Tan. Our discussion was productive, focusing on strategies to keep SPE membership engaged and our programmes relevant to our community.
In conclusion, my quick 4-day trip to Vietnam and Thailand was highly productive. Meeting with two country Sections and IADC offered valuable insights into the state of SPE in the Asia Pacific region. While there are areas for improvement that I will present at our Board Meeting, the trip also underscored the opportunities and commitment necessary for advancing our efforts in this part of the world.
#SPE #SPEevents #OilandGas #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #IndustryCollaboration #Leadership #APDT
Warm regards,
Hazli Sham Kasim
SPE Asia Pacific Regional Director
Vice President, Development, Upstream, PETRONAS
