Every SPE Volunteer Has a Story


Volunteer Etta Agbor Etta Agbor, Reservoir Engineer, Shell


As a freshman at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, I was looking for a channel to fulfill my passion to serve. I connected with the mission of SPE “to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence.” The topic captures my odyssey so far in the world of “technical volunteerism.”

I was inspired, by commitment and service of very experienced senior colleagues in the oil and gas industry, to unleash my passion to serve SPE in different capacities. Namely, as Secretary and Chapter President of SPE's University of Port Harcourt Student Chapter, an SPE Board member of Port Harcourt since 2005, and a member of the SPE Nigeria Council since 2015. Also, I was instrumental in the merger of SPE International's Student Development Committee and Young Professionals Coordinating Committee into the Young Members Engagement Committee (YMEC).

During the course of my service to SPE, I have mastered the “art of volunteerism,” integrated with a special community of technical experts, carried out career guidance for students and young professionals around the world, built a strong network of technical professionals, been involved in Ambassador Lecturer Program, energy4Me®, pioneered the SPE African Region Young Professionals Technical Conference, facilitated the 1st African Regional Petrobowl® Qualifiers, taken part in other flagship programs of SPE, I could go on and on...

It has been an exciting adventure and the benefits are invaluable. Shell and SPE have provided me with the opportunity to hone my technical and leadership skills, respectively.

As long as oil continues to flow and gas continues to evolve out of solution, we shall surely meet again.