The SPE Podcast

Join us for this SPE Live hosted by SPE’s Education and Accreditation Committee where our panelists will discuss how Petroleum Engineering (PE) education changes have been driven by technological innovations and the evolving energy landscape. We will examine how PE programs are integrating new topics while continuing to value traditional engineering skills. The session will showcase changes to educational curricula that address critical themes such as energy growth, AI advancements, and industry evolution. Please join this discussion on how PE education is shaping the future of geo-energy skills, and more importantly, explore how industry practitioners could be engaged in this process.

Moderated by Juliana Leung, SPE EAC Chair. Professor, Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics in Subsurface Flow Systems at University of Alberta
 
 
Speakers:

Siyavash Motealleh, Principal Reservoir Engineer at BP AGT

Peyman Pourafshary, P.E. Professor & Vice Dean of Research and Academic Affairs, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan    

Marshall Watson, Chair of Texas Tech Bob L. Herd Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University

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. Advances in drilling, subsurface imaging, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), closed loop designs, next generation heat exchange architectures, and broader technology innovations across the subsurface sector are expanding access to resources in regions previously considered uneconomic or inaccessible. These developments are redefining geothermal’s role across the energy system-supporting industrial heat demands, commercial thermal loads, district heating networks, and dependable baseload power.
This SPE Live session brings together leaders in technology innovation, project development, and stakeholder engagement, featuring the COO and Co Founder of Gradient Geothermal, a Technology Specialist from Underground Ventures (UGV), and the Director of Stakeholder Engagement at XGS Energy.

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

This month’s podcast highlights how artificial intelligence is influencing SPE programming, publications, and new tools, while also transforming day‑to‑day operations across our industry. The column explores energy supply implications and practical field applications, showing how SPE is helping members turn AI into a tool for progress.

The hydrogen sector is expanding across production, storage, transport, and end-use applications. This SPE Live session will examine the technical competencies and multidisciplinary skills required to succeed in this growing field. Young professionals will share their perspectives on industry expectations, emerging job roles, research trends, and how early-career engineers can strategically position themselves for long-term career growth in hydrogen-related projects.

Moderated by: Sonia Lopez Kovacs, Reserves Audit Leader at Repsol Spain
 
Speakers:
Cindy Dianita: Assistant Professor at University of Indonesia
Amine Ifticene: Production Engineer at OXY
Sarah Wheeler: Research Engineer at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) is a system developed for consistent and reliable classification and categorization of hydrocarbon resources according to technical uncertainty and project maturity and commerciality.

The SPE Oil and Gas Reserves Committee (OGRC) is committed to continuing to provide relevant resources framework to the industry as technology and business drivers change and has received feedback from the public to support the update of the current 2018 PRMS. This SPE live will give an overview of PRMS utilization and its ongoing update.

Speaker: Herman G. Acuña, President at Ryder Scott Company

Moderated by Dan Olds, Managing Senior Vice President at Ryder Scott