Regional Director's Blog
June 2025
At Europe's Edge, SPE's Heart Still Beats Strong
A field visit across Romania: SPE Tech Days, Ploiești, Bucharest, and Iași
1. A Promise Kept
When we launched the call for candidates to host the 2025 European Petrobowl, we were thrilled by the quality and diversity of applications. In the jury's minutes, available here: LinkedIn post - Europe, Petrobowl, and SPC 2025, I made a personal commitment to visit one of the most promising chapters: the SPE Student Chapter at Universitatea ,,Alexandru Ioan Cuza" din Iasi, in Romanian Moldova.
This commitment was not just symbolic. It reflects a deeper belief that outreach, presence, and fairness are essential when building an inclusive SPE Europe—especially when promising candidates operate from regions still underrepresented in our central decision-making processes.
2. Starting in Bucharest: SPE Tech Days and Academic Encounters
The journey began in Bucharest with the SPE Tech Days, a high-quality event that brought together professionals, students, and industry partners from across the country. Topics ranged from subsurface innovation to energy transition technologies, and the atmosphere was both ambitious and deeply collaborative.
While in the capital region, I also visited two key academic institutions:
- The University of Bucharest, where I met with enthusiastic students and faculty members engaged in applied geosciences.
- The Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiești, with its strong legacy and specialization in petroleum engineering.
These visits provided valuable insight into the diversity and strength of Romania’s academic ecosystem—each faculty contributing in its own way to the future of our industry.
3. Discovering Iași: Ambition, Hospitality, and Excellence
The final and most anticipated stop was Iași. As one of Romania’s oldest academic cities, it blends tradition and forward-thinking energy. The SPE Student Chapter at Universitatea „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iași welcomed me with open arms.
From the quality of their original Petrobowl proposal to the maturity of the students and the professionalism of the organizing team, everything confirmed the strength of their candidacy for future events. This visit was not only a due diligence mission—it became a powerful reminder of how much untapped potential exists across Eastern Europe.
4. SPE in Action: Building Bridges, Not Just Events
These travels reminded me why SPE matters. Beyond competitions and conferences, we are building lasting bridges—between people, generations, and countries.
The PetroBowl is more than a game. It’s an engine for visibility, growth, and pride for young engineers. Visiting three universities in three cities brought the SPE spirit to life in a way no Zoom or Teams call ever could.
5. A Region on the Rise
From Ploiești to Bucharest to Iași, the message was clear: Eastern Europe is rising, and it has a lot to offer. Talent, motivation, and a strong appetite to engage internationally.
This trip was a humble contribution to that story. The legacy from PetroBowl Europe 2025 continues, while the road to meaningful engagement runs through every chapter, every campus, every conversation.
Past Blog Updates
December 2024
Dear SPE Europe Student Members,
I hope this message finds you well. It is with great pleasure that we extend to you an exclusive invitation to participate in the upcoming 13th East Meets West Congress “Tommorow’s energy starts today”. This prestigious event is being organized by the SPE AGH University of Krakow Student Chapter in collaboration with the SPE Poland Section and promises to be a gathering of some of the most brilliant minds in our field.
Event Details:
- Date: 1st-4th April 2025
- Venue: AGH University of Krakow, Poland
- Registration Deadline: 28th February 2025
As a respected leader in our community, your active participation would not only enrich the event but also provide invaluable insights to our attendees. We also kindly request your support in promoting this event. Your influence in disseminating information through your network and on SPE-related websites and social media platforms would significantly enhance our outreach.
Key Highlights of the 13th EMW 2024 Congress:
- Interactive workshops and student games
- Student paper contest showcasing groundbreaking research
- Teambuilding activities to foster collaboration
- Awards and prizes, especially for students and Young Professionals (YP)
- Engaging social activities and a field trip
This event presents a unique platform for students, PhD candidates, and YPs to showcase their work, learn about the latest trends in upstream research and expand their professional networks. For seasoned professionals like yourself, it offers an opportunity to engage with academic research, connect with the next generation entering the industry, and network with peers.
Important Links:
We are also excited to announce that a dedicated Facebook page will be launched next week, and we will keep you updated on its progress. Your support and participation in the East Meets West Congress would be immensely appreciated. We believe that your presence and contribution can greatly enhance the value and success of this event. Looking forward to your positive response.
Kind regards,
On behalf of the Organizing Team
Wojciech Ornat
October 2024
In September, I embarked on a particularly meaningful journey—a visit to Ukraine. What set this visit apart was, of course, the context: a country in the European region actively at war. Naturally, this raised a recurring question from nearly everyone I spoke to: Why Ukraine? It was a question I heard from colleagues, SPE staff, and even from Ukrainian section officers themselves.
For me, however, the decision felt instinctive. Ukraine is one of the highest-performing and fastest-growing sections in Europe, a feat that would be impressive under normal circumstances. But achieving this level of excellence amidst the challenges of war demands even greater recognition. It was only fitting that their remarkable operational success should be acknowledged by the Regional Director.
So, to me, the question was never why visit, but rather how to ensure the trip would be both feasible and impactful. I must extend my sincere thanks to Yurii Moroz, the section chair, and Steve Byrne from SPE, whose careful coordination with insurers and diligent preparations made this visit possible. Their efforts ensured that this journey was not only successful but also safe.
Pierre Emmanuel d'Huart
SPE Regional Director — Europe
Spring 2024
Unveiling the Energy Future: Why You Can't Miss the SPE Europe Energy Conference 2024
In the heart of Turin, Italy, this June, and hosted at the birthplace of FIAT, the SPE Europe Energy Conference emerges as more than just an event—it's a pivotal moment to steer the course of global energy transformation. As the energy landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, it's imperative for industry professionals to not only keep pace but to lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Here's why the upcoming conference demands your attention:
An Unparalleled Technical Experience:
Prepare to immerse yourself in the forefront of energy innovation. With a staggering 353 abstracts submitted from every corner of the globe, the competition was fierce. Only the most goundbreaking—less than 110—papers have been meticulously curated, ensuring that attendees receive the absolute pinnacle of industry insight. Spanning five continents, contributions from 28 top-tier universities solidify this event as the epicenter of global energy research and development. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to glean invaluable expertise from the finest minds in the industry, propelling your work to new heights of excellence.
Network and Collaborate with Hundreds of Delegates:
Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress, especially in the face of today's complex energy challenges. At the 2024 EuropEC, you'll find yourself amidst a dynamic sea of industry professionals, ready to share ideas, forge partnerships, and pioneer innovative solutions. From ice-breaking receptions to thought-provoking roundtables, and energizing coffee breaks, every moment is ripe for sparking fresh insights and catalyzing impactful collaborations. Together, as one unified force, we'll confront and conquer the shared challenges that lie ahead.
Empowering the Next Generation:
The future of energy rests in the hands of our dynamic young professionals. That's why the SPE Europe Energy Conference proudly champions the next generation, providing them with a platform to shine. Curated by 14 forward-thinking future leaders, a tailored program awaits, designed to equip young professionals with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in the energy sector. From mentorship sessions to cutting-edge digital hard skills workshops, this conference fosters an inclusive and supportive environment where tomorrow's leaders can grow and make their mark.
Read more here https://www.spe-events.org/europeenergyconference/student-week
In essence, from cutting-edge technical insights to invaluable networking opportunities and a steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation, the SPE Europe Energy Conference 2024 promises an experience like no other. Join us as we unveil the energy future and chart a course towards a brighter tomorrow. I count on your presence. See you there as I look forward to sharing a good espresso - Lavazza, obviously - with each one of you!
https://www.spe-events.org/europeenergyconference/registration
Pierre Emmanuel d'Huart
SPE Regional Director — Europe
January 2024
Charting a course for Excellence: A 3-Year strategy for Europe
As the newly appointed Regional Director for Europe, my first newsletter aimed at briefly introducing myself. In this second newsletter, the first of 2024, I am excited to wish and very happy 2024, but most importantly unveil our comprehensive strategy for the next three years. Rooted in the principles of transparency, this roadmap, will not be reserved for discussions within the boardroom. It is also openly shared with you, our valued members, and at the same time present it to the overall SPE board this January.
This twin communication serving equally the members and the SPE leadership reflects our commitment in Europe to fostering a culture of openness and accountability, where every member is an informed and integral part of our journey as a community.
Pillar 1: Reputation Improvement
One of the region’s foremost goals is to improve - if not in some peculiar cases restore - SPE's appeal, image, and reputation across Europe. We need to establish meaningful connections with corporate stakeholders, independent energy operators, academia, and institutions. It's crucial that European members feel that their own employers are actively supporting SPE's initiatives. Through targeted outreach and strategic partnerships, we will rebuild trust and reinforce our commitment to advancing the oil and gas industry.
Pillar 2: A SPE 4 Europe
Recognizing the unique characteristics and diversity of Europe, we are committed to continuously adapting SPE's standing rules and practices to align with regional specifics. This includes refining membership country groups, ensuring student chapter compliance rules are also adapted to European needs, and enhancing transparency in our practices towards members. By doing so, we aim to foster an inclusive environment that resonates with the diverse needs of our European members.
Pillar 3: High-Quality Euro-Members
Our strategy places a strong emphasis on elevating the quality of our European membership. Branded as "The Voice of Europe," we aspire to increase the active participation of European members and academia in our workgroups and standing committees. By encouraging collaboration and recognizing excellence, we aim to ensure a high level of European International Awardees, as well as awarded European Sections and Chapters. Better compliance and improved results will be the benchmarks of our success.
Pillar 4: Events + Membership = ♥
Recognizing the power of face-to-face interactions, we are determined to rekindle the love for SPE events among our membership. In-person gatherings provide a unique sense of community that is invaluable in our industry. We will work to reconnect our members with SPE's main events, emphasizing their importance and the networking opportunities they provide. Learning from successful models in other SPE regions, we aim to leverage our official conferences to their full potential.
In conclusion, the next three years are poised to be transformative for SPE in Europe. In addition to these pillars that outline our strategic vision for the next three years, let me emphasize our unwavering commitment to delivering tangible results. As your Regional Director, my focus is not just on setting trendy-ish goals but on achieving them. Throughout my term, I am dedicated to hearing your ideas under these pillars and implementing intermediate milestones that will serve as regular markers of our progress.
Moreover, transparency will remain at the core of the Europe’s region communication strategy, ensuring that you, our esteemed members, are not only informed along the way but are actively engaged partners in our collective success. Together, let's turn these strategies into impactful outcomes, marking the next 3 years of excellence for the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Europe.
Pierre Emmanuel d'Huart
SPE Regional Director — Europe