The SPE Podcast

Welcome to The SPE Podcast. SPE podcasts are presented in a variety of formats, including interviews with industry experts about technical subjects and career advice, messages from SPE’s President, stories about the contributions of our industry to society, sustainability topics, and more. Listen to your favorite SPE Live episode on the go every first and third Thursday of the month. Remember to like and subscribe so you never miss an update.

Featured Episode:

Why Geothermal? Why Now? What is Driving the New Geothermal Era?

7 May 2026

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As global demand for clean, reliable energy grows, geothermal is emerging as a uniquely capable resource for delivering both firm, low carbon electricity and consistent, long term thermal output. In recent years, the geothermal startup sector has also benefited from a significant increase in investment from both established energy companies and new entrants, strengthening technology development and accelerating field deployment.

The panel will examine why geothermal heat and power are gaining momentum now, the technical advancements across EGS, closed loop systems, and general subsurface technologies driving that progress, and the practical considerations that shape real world project deployment. Attendees will gain a clear, balanced understanding of geothermal’s capabilities today, the challenges that remain, and the opportunities ahead for scaling both thermal and electric applications.

Moderated by: Katerina Yared, Global Energy Portfolio Lead at 3M Oil & Gas, Carbon Capture, Geothermal

Speakers:

Caity Smith, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at XGS Energy
Soraya Bornaz, Technology Specialist at Underground Ventures
Johanna Ostrum, COO/Co-Founder at Gradient Geothermal