The SPE Podcast

Welcome to The SPE Podcast. SPE is a diverse organization with many stories to share with you. This oil and gas podcast is 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.

New SPE podcasts are released every one to two weeks on Tuesdays.

Like what you're hearing? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and send us your feedback. You can reach us at podcasts@spe.org.

Episode 24 – Drilling’s Digital Ecosystem with Tommy Sigmundstad

17 March 2020

Aker BP's Senior Vice President of Drilling and Wells joins the SPE Podcast, talking to SPE's VP of Communications, Glenda Smith. In this episode, we explore recent milestones, such as drilling a nautical mile in 13 hours, as well as digitalization and automation advancements in drilling.

Episode 23 – Strengthening Knowledge Transfer in Unconventional Resources

10 March 2020

Collecting technical information can be challenging, especially if those who have it are not willing or able to share it. In this episode, Shauna Noonan discusses effectively, proactively seeking out the technical knowledge that our members both need and that the industry requires to meet the world’s demand for oil and gas.

Each month, Shauna joins The SPE Podcast to discuss her President's Column and to share her SPE journey. We'll end each of these podcasts asking the audience an interactive question.

Episode 22 – Highlights from SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference with Mike Rainbolt

3 March 2020

Mike Rainbolt is an experienced completions engineer who is now a senior technical advisor for Abra Controls. Mike sat down with Trent Jacobs to discuss some of the highlights from the 2020 Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference held recently in the Houston area. More than 3,500 petrotechnical professionals went to the conference which this year highlighted some major advances around the so-called parent-child issues that all US shale producers face.

Episode 21 – Technology Advancements in Managed Pressure Drilling with Steve Nas

25 February 2020

Longtime SPE member Steve Nas catches up with Mark Arathoon of PETRONAS and Martin Culen, Chief Commercial Officer, Kelda Drilling Controls. All three served as committee members for the SPE Workshop: Managed Pressure Drilling – Collaboration Towards Excellent Applications & Solutions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the conclusion of the workshop, the group met to address technological advancements in Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD).

Episode 20 – Perspectives on Energy Poverty with Scott Tinker

18 February 2020

Co-producer and narrator of Switch (2012), Scott Tinker joins The SPE Podcast to discuss his sequel project, Switch On, which explores energy poverty around the globe. Tinker shares stories from his travels and provides insights into solutions during his discussion with Glenda Smith, VP of Communications, SPE.

An SPE Distinguished Lecturer, Tinker often greets people proudly with, "I work in the oil and gas industry, and I help to lift the world out of poverty." He hopes to hear more in the industry proudly answering the "what do you do" question.

Episode 19 – SPE Talks To: Shauna Noonan — The Influential Yet Delicate Balance of Mentoring

12 February 2020

There are multiple steps along the path to developing skill sets of young professionals. Coaching up technical know-how is critical, but equally important is providing an opportunity for those individuals to work on interpersonal skills in order to better navigate the industry.

Shauna Noonan discusses the importance of effectively mentoring bright, young minds as part of an industry-wide initiative to attract and retain incoming talent.

Episode 18 – SPE Talks Tech: IPTC and Global Energy Transition

4 February 2020

Trent returns from his trip to the International Petroleum Technology Conference and shares his insights from the event and major takeaways with Steve. The two also discuss popular articles and topics from recent JPT articles.

Trent Jacobs and Steve Rassenfoss cover emerging technology for the Journal of Petroleum Technology (JPT), SPE's flagship publication. With SPE Talks Tech, our writers debate and discuss the hottest topics in the technical arena of the oil and gas industry.

Episode 17 – SPE Talks To: Mathias Carlsen

28 January 2020

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) for shale developments has been one of the hottest topics in the technical arena for several years. In this episode, host Trent Jacobs talks to Mathias Carlsen, a petroleum engineering consultant and general manager for Whitson, about the true state of shale EOR, where it is and where it might be going. Carlsen also discusses a little known issue of “separator oil shrinkage” which can be a big issue for shale producers if not accounted for.

Episode 16 – SPE Talks To: Adrián Ledroz

21 January 2020

Wellbore surveying is one of the essential tools for modern directional and horizontal drilling, allowing oil and gas companies to hit subsurface targets just a few feet wide. In this episode, host Trent Jacobs talks to Adrián Ledroz, VP, Chief Scientist at Gyrodata, about how the technology has evolved over the years and how the introduction of gyroscopes has impacted wellbore surveying.

Episode 15 – SPE Talks Tech: Tier Differences, Heavy Oil Innovation, and Casing Failures

14 January 2020

Breaking down new articles in the January 2020 Journal of Petroleum Technology issue.

Episode 14 – SPE Talks To: Shauna Noonan — Strengthening the Feedstock of Incoming Oil and Gas Talent

7 January 2020

There are growing concerns among industry professionals and academia about the declining ambitions toward a career in the oil and gas industry by our younger generation. Shauna Noonan addresses what she identifies as the three main challenges with attracting the next generation of engineers and geoscientists — negative public perception, unattractive business models, and inadequate opportunities for work-life balance.

Episode 13 – SPE Talks To: Trent and Jason

31 December 2019

In this New Year's Eve episode, Trent and Jason recall memorable moments from 2019 and read listener reviews/comments (#SPEpodcast). Thanks to our listeners for your feedback and support. We are excited to announce more than 10,000 downloads spanning 134 different countries. It's been a great first 14 episodes of The SPE Podcast.

Episode 12 – SPE Talks Tech: Top 10 Stories of 2019

24 December 2019

In this year-end episode, we break down the most-read stories of 2019 on JPT. We think #1 will surprise you!

Episode 11 – SPE Talks To: C. Susan Howes

17 December 2019

How do you advance your oil and gas career? What about managing talent and risk? Licensed petroleum engineer and registered HR professional C. Susan Howes joins The SPE Podcast to share a unique perspective.

Howes is an Honorary SPE member with three decades of experience in a variety of engineering roles for companies such as Anadarko and Chevron. She is currently the VP of Engineering at Subsurface Consultants & Associates, LLC (SCA). In 2016, Howes was recognized for her advancements with the AIME DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal. Her contributions to SPE include volunteering on committees, being a Regional Director, and coauthoring multiple papers.

Episode 10 – SPE Talks To: Shauna Noonan — Strengthening Ways To Disseminate Knowledge

3 December 2019

“To collect, exchange, and disseminate technical knowledge” are not only the first seven words of SPE’s mission but also what our society has excelled at over its storied history. — Shauna Noonan, 2020 SPE President

Each month, Shauna joins The SPE Podcast to discuss her President's Column and to share her SPE journey. We'll end each of these podcasts asking the audience an interactive question.

Episode 9 – SPE Talks Tech: 2020 Technology Watch List

26 November 2019

With 2020 on the horizon, JPT editors put together our Top 10 list of technologies and ideas to keep an eye on in the coming year.

Episode 8 – SPE Talks To: Kirstie Boyle

19 November 2019

Business Development VP Kirstie Boyle joins The SPE Podcast to talk startups. Recently part of a $4.5-million funding round, Kirstie discusses fine-tuning pitches, making complicated concepts relatable, options for spending investor money, entrepreneurial success stories, and why startups aren't for everyone.

Episode 7 – SPE Talks To: Andrew Pepper

12 November 2019

Fluid saturation isn't what it used to be when it comes to unconventional reservoirs. Our guest is among those sharing new research to discuss the shale sector’s changing perspectives on the importance of mobile hydrocarbons vs. immobile hydrocarbons. Petroleum Geoscience innovator Andrew (Andy) Pepper joins The SPE Podcast this week with his take on how unconventional reservoir evaluation can be improved. One lingering question: can oil and gas companies trust their logs?

Episode 6 – SPE Talks To: Shauna Noonan
"Strengthening the Quality of SPE’s Technical Content"

5 November 2019

"Our Society has a wealth of technical content, and it is rapidly growing." 2020 SPE President Shauna Noonan outlines four (4) objectives to strengthen the quality of SPE's technical content. Each month, Shauna will join The SPE Podcast to discuss her President's Column and to share her SPE journey. We'll end each of these podcasts asking the audience an interactive question.

Episode 5 – SPE Talks To: Yogashri Pradhan
"How to Market Yourself"

29 October 2019

A reservoir engineer for Endeavor Energy Resources, LP and a very active SPE member, Yogashri Pradhan discusses how to market yourself and grow your career. She has built a successful personal brand through social media, and shares some of her tips.

Episode 4 – SPE Talks To: Nathan Meehan
"The End of Petroleum Engineering As We Know It"

22 October 2019

Author of 2019's most-downloaded OnePetro® paper and 2016 SPE President, Nathan Meehan joins The SPE Podcast this week. What does Meehan mean by his eye-catching headline? In this episode, host Trent Jacobs explores the depths of the popular paper, looking for an answer to "should I pursue a career in petroleum engineering?"

More on the topics discussed in this episode

OnePetro: The End of Petroleum Engineering as We Know It

Episode 3 – SPE Talks Tech: Real-time Fracturing, Pressure Monitoring, and Cube Drilling

15 October 2019

Trent Jacobs and Steve Rassenfoss cover emerging technology for the Journal of Petroleum Technology (JPT), SPE's flagship publication. With SPE Talks Tech, our writers debate and discuss the hottest topics in the technical arena of the oil and gas industry.

More on the topics discussed in this episode

To “Right Size” Fractures, Producers Adopt Robust Monitoring and Custom Completions
To Spark Real-Time Revolution, Fracture Diagnostic Firms Partner Up and Innovate
“Dominator Project” Raises Key Questions About Future of Cube Drilling

Episode 2 – SPE Talks To: Shauna Noonan – Strengthen the Core

8 October 2019

2020 SPE President Shauna Noonan discusses her SPE journey and unveils the theme for her presidency. Each month, Shauna will join The SPE Podcast to share her President's Column. We'll end each of these podcasts asking the audience an interactive question.

More from Shauna Noonan

Reinforcing Core Strengths, Delivering Membership Value
Q&A With 2020 SPE President Shauna Noonan
2020 SPE President Promises to Focus on Strengthening Organization’s Engineering Core

Episode 1 – SPE Talks To: George King

1 October 2019

A completions advisor for Viking Engineering with almost 50 years of experience, George King appears on The SPE Podcast. King joins host Trent Jacobs, JPT Digital Editor, to discuss casing failures and horizontal wells.

More From George King and Trent Jacobs

OnePetro: Horizontal Well Frac-Driven Interactions: Types, Consequences, and Damage Mitigation
JPT: To Solve Frac Hits, Unconventional Engineering Must Revolve Around Them
JPT: To “Right Size” Fractures, Producers Adopt Robust Monitoring and Custom Completions
JPT: “Dominator Project” Raises Key Questions About Future of Cube Drilling

Episode 0 – Welcome to the SPE Podcast

24 September 2019

Mark Rubin, SPE's CEO and Executive Vice President, talks about why SPE is launching podcasts and what you can expect to hear from us.