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Technical Sections

A Technical Section is a group of SPE members worldwide who share a common interest in a specific technical topic. Members within these groups collaborate, exchange ideas, and work on projects related to their technical area of focus. Technical Sections generally prioritize sharing knowledge and ideas through open discussions, webinars and events, with a goal-oriented approach. Through these sections, members can develop their skills and knowledge, promoting overall competence within the technical field.

Join a Technical Section

Establish a new technical section

Current Technical Sections

The Artificial Lift and Gas Well Deliquification (AL&D) section encompasses the subject of artificial lift and gas well deliquification between the reservoir/wellbore interface and the wellhead. The goals of the technical section are: Capability development through virtual events, workshops, conferences, new training materials, and PetroWiki contributions. Transfer of knowledge and best practices through events, communications, articles in JPT, TWA, and other SPE publications. Promote professionalism, certification, and HSSE-SR considerations related to AL&D.

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

Carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) involves capturing CO2 emissions from large point sources such as power plants and either re-utilizing or storing the emissions to keep them from entering the atmosphere. Industry interest in CCUS as a way to reduce emissions and for sequestering or storing carbon dioxide has increased over the past decade. In response, SPE established the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage Technical Section. Possessing the know-how for evaluation, selection, and monitoring of underground storage sites garnered through decades of experience in the fields of CO2, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), and gas storage operations, the E&P segment of the oil and gas industry is anticipated to play a major role in the advancement of CCUS including broader application of CO2-EOR.

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Data Science and Engineering Analytics Technical Section is for all members focused on Digitalization, creating value from data. Given the size of prize, where even a small percentage improvement in efficiency or production can yield big bottom-line impact, the interest and relevance of DSEA applies across all SPE disciplines and beyond. As Petroleum industry rapidly evolves towards better and faster innovative end-to-end processes – the role of DSEA is increasingly recognized by all disciplines and upstream business sectors, beyond typical IT and data organizations. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The purpose of the Drilling Systems Automation Technical Section is to accelerate the development and implementation of systems automation in the well drilling industry by supporting initiatives that communicate the technology, recommend best practices, standardize nomenclature, and help define the value of drilling systems automation. Appropriate initiatives include workshops, forums, lectures, and technical and white papers, among others, and DSATS actively encourages participation of automation experts from outside the drilling industry. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

SPE has formed the Drilling Uncertainty Prediction Technical Section for sharing technical knowledge, experiences, best practices, and solutions. This section seeks to promote awareness of key industry challenges, work with relevant SPE groups to develop necessary training initiatives, identify areas for collaborative problem-solving, and address gaps between operators’ requirements and available solutions. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

SPE has formed the Flow Assurance Technical Section to give members the opportunity to focus on flow assurance, a key area of interest for facilities engineers. This new technical section seeks to further the objectives of SPE by convening online discussions of matters relating to flow assurance, establishing consensus on industry best practices, and promoting these practices widely. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Flow Measurement Technical Section will provide a forum from which technical professionals and academia can share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the area of Single-Phase and Multiphase Flow Measurement. The section will identify major issues and technology areas on which to focus cooperation and discussions, maintain and promote industry awareness of flow measurement-related issues and technologies, and enhance their own technical competencies to meet the needs of the petroleum industry. We will accomplish our objectives through the transfer of knowledge via webinars, online discussions, monthly meetings, and SPE events. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Geomechanics Technical Section (GTS) was created in 2016 to focus on geomechanics and its applications in the oil & gas industry. The section combines geology, geophysics, petrophysics, reservoir engineering, drilling, completions, and production data to build an integrated understanding of subsurface formations. This section seeks to promote industry awareness of geomechanics-related issues and technologies, provide a forum to share knowledge and best practices and identify issues in need of attention. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Geothermal Technical Section is for members with a common interest in geothermal energy and its potential to transform generation of electric power and direct heating and cooling across the globe. Geothermal energy is the only “green” energy source that has the potential to provide grid baseload power at scale. It is in many ways, the closest energy source in terms of required skills to the upstream oil and gas industry. Geothermal and the oil and gas industry have been learning from each other for decades and are currently well placed to transfer technology and practices that can accelerate the drilling and completion of geothermal wells, reduce costs and revolutionize reservoir monitoring practices. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Human Factors Technical Section promotes the exchange of information, technology, and development of understanding and competence in the area of Human Factors for application to the petroleum industry. Key objectives include knowledge sharing and raising awareness of the role Human Factors plays in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the section promotes improved HSE performance through better application of Human Factors technology by coordinating with, and learning from other industry organizations. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Section is for members interested in the topic of hydraulic fracturing and encompasses the subject of hydraulic fracturing technology through online events, networking, workshops, and conferences. The purpose of this section shall be to provide a forum from which technical professionals and academia can:

  • Share knowledge, experience, and best practices
  • Identify major issues and technology areas on which to focus cooperation and discussions
  • Maintain and promote industry awareness of related issues and technologies
  • Enhance their own technical competencies that meet the needs of the petroleum industry

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Hydrogen Technical Section is for technical professionals and academia who are active, or have a deep interest in the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. This new technical section aims to share knowledge, experiences, leading practice, promote industry awareness, and enhance technical competencies. We use the term “energy carrier” to denote all aspects of the hydrogen supply chain including production, transport, storage, and use. Ammonia and other compounds of hydrogen are also included for their potential as an energy carrier solution. Hydrogen will play a part to sustainably meet our energy needs in the future, and you are invited to join our new technical section to help make it so. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Management Technical Section provides a forum for technical professionals and academia in the area of management. This technical section focuses on the subject of management with applications in the upstream petroleum industry, including:

  • Asset and Portfolio Management
  • Risk Management and Decision-Making
  • Strategic Planning and Management
  • Energy Economics
  • Professionalism, Training, and Education

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The mission of the Methane Emissions Management Technical Section is to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the measurement, reporting and cost-effective abatement of methane emissions from oil and gas operations and related technologies for the public benefit; and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence in this area. We are building on the work undertaken over the last few years by the SPE Sustainable Development Technical Section and the Gaia Measuring What Matters Work Group to measure, report and reduce Methane Emissions. This technical section is intended to create a platform to share experiences, success stories and cautionary tales so we can learn from each other’s mistakes and learnings. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Plug and Abandonment Technical Section is dedicated to cost effective well decommissioning and leakage prevention from abandoned wells, including the repair of failed or patently inadequate prior abandonments of old wells that were plugged-off under outdated industry practices or regulatory expectations. The P&ATS is established for technical professionals, academia, and stakeholders working in well decommissioning to come together and share knowledge, experiences, best practices and expectations or regulations; identify opportunities for innovation; promote industry awareness of technical challenges, solutions, and the expectations of society; and enhance technical competency. The focus of the Technical Section is on “deep” wells. These are wells that must comply with the same set of regulations as oil, gas, and geothermal wells, including associated water injection and saltwater or sand, cuttings or sludge disposal wells. P&A has recently evolved from a one-time end-of-life cost, where a few locally designated compliance boxes were ticked-off, to an essential and prolonged effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, prevent aquifer pollution, and manage liabilities. With the prospect of reusing abandoned wells or assuring their safety when storing energy or carbon dioxide (CCS or CCUS), P&A has taken center stage in the future evolution of our industry. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Research and Development Technical Section (RDTS) is comprised of SPE members who are interested in research and technology development with applications in the upstream oil and gas industry. The section seeks to:

  • Promote R&D and technology development
  • Encourage development of a cooperative framework for R&D
  • Provide a means of communication among the R&D community in the petroleum industry
  • Facilitate R&D efforts that meet the needs of industry, government, research companies, institutes, and academia
  • Offer opportunities to network and discuss research needs
  • Identify major issues/technology areas on which to focus interaction and discussions

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section covers remotely operated and autonomous vehicle systems, software solutions, and power systems for marine, air, and land environments such as ROVs and drones. The technical section seeks to:

  • Develop capability through contributions to workshop and conference programs
  • Transfer knowledge through in-person meetings, online communication, and adding content to SPE’s PetroWiki®
  • Promote safety, professionalism, and social responsibility
  • Provide public education through STEM volunteering and student competition engagement

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The purpose of the Separations Technology Technical Section is to provide a forum in which Separations technical professionals can:

  • Share knowledge, experience, and best practices
  • Identify major issues and technology areas on which to focus cooperation and discussions
  • Maintain and promote industry awareness of separation related issues and technologies
  • Enhance their own technical competencies to meet the needs of the petroleum industry

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Sustainable Development Technical Section provides members, regardless of discipline, an increased awareness and opportunity to network in the area of sustainable development. Its main objectives are:

  • Exchanging sustainable development technical information
  • Supporting members in acquiring sustainable development competencies
  • Raising awareness of the role sustainable development plays in the oil and gas industry
  • Improving performance through better application of sustainable development principles and practices
  • Liaising with and learning from other industry organizations

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The purpose of the Water Life Cycle and Strategy Technical Section is to expedite, facilitate, and provide a forum for discussion and cooperation on Water Life Cycle and Strategy in the upstream oil and gas industry. Objectives include:

  • Promote Water Life Cycle strategy and technology development
  • Encourage development of a cooperative framework for Water Life Cycle and Strategy
  • Provide a means for communication among the Water Life Cycle and Strategy community within the petroleum industry
  • Facilitate Water Life Cycle and Strategy efforts that meet the needs of industry, government, research companies and institutes, and academia
  • Offer opportunities to network and discuss research needs
  • Identify major issues and technology areas on which to focus interaction and discussion

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The primary aim of the Wellbore Positioning Technical Section is to produce and maintain standards for the industry relating to wellbore survey accuracy. To set standards for terminology and accuracy specifications. Establish a standard framework for modeling and validation of tool performance. Raise awareness and understanding of wellbore survey accuracy issues across the industry. 

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

The Well Integrity Technical Section was developed to focus on well integrity and well integrity management. The subject areas for this Technical Section is the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of a well, with an emphasis on containment and control of well fluids for the entire life of the well.

Learn more and join today at SPE Connect/Technical Sections.

Establishing a Technical Section

Any group of SPE members can propose the establishment of a Technical Section for endorsement by the SPE Technical Directors. A proposal should include the following:

  • An outline of the purpose and objectives of the group – a “mission statement”
  • The names of committed leadership for the Technical Section and a list of proposed members
  • Proposed governance model outlining leadership positions, processes for selection of leadership, criteria for membership, etc.

Criteria for Endorsement by SPE Technical Directors

  • The mission of the Technical Section supports and furthers the SPE mission
  • Leaders and champions have been identified
  • Sufficient membership is proposed for the group to operate effectively
  • The governance structure is reasonable and functional
  • The membership spans section boundaries
  • The purposes of the group cannot be met by an already existing SPE group

Potential areas of topical overlap between new and existing entities must be identified by endorsing Technical Director and/or petitioning Technical Section leadership. If overlap is determined, the endorsing Technical Director must decide if (1) the topic can be addressed via a subcommittee of the existing entity, or (2) the topic is substantial enough to require establishment of a new Technical Section.

If the topic is substantial enough to require establishment of a new technical section, the Technical Director and Chairpersons from each entity must agree to new divisions of scope in advance of new Technical Section establishment. Possible solutions may include transferring the topic from existing entity to the new Technical Section or agreeing that all entities will collaborate on activities for the topic.

For more information on starting a Technical Section, contact technicalsections@spe.org.