SPE President's Podcast with C. Susan Howes - "Learn. Share. Connect. Grow." - September 2026

Hydraulic fracturing revolutionized unconventional oil and gas — and the same stimulation science is now being adapted to unlock next-generation geothermal energy. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Superhot Rock (SHR) concepts borrow heavily from decades of shale completions know-how, but operating at temperatures exceeding 300°C, in crystalline basement rock, introduces entirely new engineering challenges: engineering a reservoir volume, proppant and fluid stability, wellbore integrity, reservoir management under extreme thermal and mechanical stress and more that we will find out through time. In this SPE Live, we will dive into the synergistic approach of subsurface engineering and hydraulic fracturing from the oil and gas world into the geothermal realm. The conversation will explore where oilfield technology has direct transfer capabilities, where it must be reinvented, and what this convergence really means for the future of dispatchable geothermal power. Moderated by: Steve Schubarth, Chair SPE’s Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Section Speaker: Gabrijel Grubac, Principal Completions Engineer at Mazama Energy

The Reserves Education Subcommittee (RES) within the Oil and Gas Reserves Committee (OGRC) is a global group of subject-matter experts advancing PRMS education. The RES were recently mandated by the OGRC to update, design, and prepare a reserves education framework in modular presentations. The initiative resulted in the development of thirteen (13) modular presentations encompassing core PRMS principles, reserves classification, maturity distinctions, evaluation methodologies, commerciality/economic criteria, and common areas of misinterpretation observed in industry. The modules form the “PRMS Training Master Slides” and are to be taught by OGRC approved instructors and offer a practical and interactive approach as a third trilateral source on PRMS knowledge and education supported by OGRC. The “PRMS Training Master Slides” are standardized, committee-endorsed training for global dissemination across operators, consultants, educators, and regulators. It is anticipated they will perpetually improve global alignment on reserves estimation and classification, provide a clearer differentiation between resources and reserves, and finally a more consistent understanding of commercial maturity thresholds. These modular presentations will complement the much-needed training gap identified by OGRC. Moderated by Doug Peck, Head of Reserves at Woodside Speaker: Syed Hasan, Chair OGRC Reserves Education Subcommittee

September 2026

The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a key region for large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), driven by industrial decarbonization needs, favorable geology, and ambitious national energy transition strategies. As projects evolve from early pilots to commercial developments, the focus is shifting toward building integrated CCUS hubs that connect multiple emitters to shared transport and storage infrastructure. These hub-based models introduce new technical, operational, and commercial challenges that require alignment across subsurface characterization, infrastructure design, and long-term storage assurance. This session will explore how CCUS initiatives in the MENA region are progressing toward scalable and bankable solutions, with a focus on the technical enablers required to move from concept to execution. The discussion will highlight lessons learned in hub development, including storage site selection, pressure management, system integration, and risk mitigation. Speakers will also share perspectives on how multidisciplinary engineering, subsurface expertise, and collaboration across stakeholders are shaping the next phase of CCUS deployment—providing insights relevant to both regional and global audiences. Moderated by: Christian Winterfield, Lead Petroleum Engineer CCS at Aramco Speakers: Bilal Sheikh: CCUS Business Development Senior Specialist at ADNOC Hooman Haghighi: Senior Director – Energy Solutions and Decarbonisation at Wood

This SPE Live session will provide an update on recent developments in OSDU and discuss why data remains critical in the age of AI. As AI use grows, the quality, structure, context, and accessibility of data become even more important. The session will highlight how OSDU is helping advance more consistent and interoperable data practices across the energy industry, while also acknowledging the practical challenges of adoption, standardization, and implementation. It will also touch on how SPE and OSDU can work together to inform members and support broader industry learning around data, digitalization, and AI. Moderated by: Pushpesh Sharma, Director of Product Management at Emerson Electric (AspenTech) Speakers: Kadri Umay: Senior Director & Microsoft Azure Data Manager(Energy Team) at Microsoft

In her final podcast as SPE President, Jennifer Miskimins reflects on a year of service, celebrates the people behind SPE’s success, shares updates on the Society’s future, and encourages members to remain engaged in advancing the profession and the energy industry. 

This SPE Live explores the intersection of HSES and Reservoir, two disciplines that increasingly shape the future of responsible and high performance subsurface operations. Our goal is to understand how these areas can jointly reduce uncertainty, improve performance, and support responsible development across the asset lifecycle. Moderated by Trey Shaffer, 2014-2017 SPE HSE Technical Director. Vice President, Key Clients at Resource Environmental Solutions LLC Speakers: • Dr. Linda Battalora, SPE HSES Technical Director. Teaching Professor in the Petroleum Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines • Dr. Rahim Masoudi, SPE Reservoir Technical Director. Chief Technical Lead at EnQuest/Veri Energy

This SPE Live brings together the SPE Drilling and SPE Completions Technical Directors for a forward-looking discussion on how the profession is evolving to meet increasing technical complexity, cost pressures, and expectations for safer and more sustainable operations. The session will explore how advances in drilling and completions technologies—alongside digitalization, automation, and data-driven workflows—are reshaping well construction and delivery across conventional, unconventional, and emerging energy applications. Beyond technology, the discussion will emphasize the people and leadership dimensions of technical excellence. The Technical Directors will share perspectives on cross-discipline integration, workforce capability development, and SPE’s role in fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and professional growth. Attendees can expect insights on how the drilling and completions communities can work more effectively together to deliver value today while preparing the profession for the energy systems of tomorrow. Moderated by Robin Macmillan, 2022-2025 SPE Drilling Technical Director. Consultant. Speakers: • Peggy Rijken, SPE Completions Technical Director. Chapter Manager, Geomechanics Technology Center at Chevron • Sarah Kern, SPE Drilling Technical Director. Director of Strategic Engagement at EIC Rose Rock

This month’s column shares practical ideas gathered from professional sections and student chapters worldwide, including fresh approaches to communication and meeting formats as well as creative ways of building community and recognition. These real‑world examples highlight the diversity of SPE and offer plenty of “food for thought” for leaders looking to strengthen engagement and deliver more value to their members.  

Production operations are evolving rapidly—from traditional SCADA monitoring to AI-enabled intelligence. In this SPE Live, the SPE DSEA Technical Director and the SPE Production and Facilities Technical Director explore how advances in data infrastructure, analytics, and machine learning are transforming operational decision-making, improving efficiency, safety and shaping the future of intelligent production systems. Moderated by Silviu Livescu, 2020-2023 SPE DSEA Technical Director. Co-Founder and CTO at Bedrock Energy Speakers: • Sushma Bhan, SPE DSEA Technical Director. Former Shell CDO of Subsurface/Wells • Greg Stephenson, SPE Production and Facilities Technical Director. Chief Production Engineer at Occidental Oil & Gas Co. (Oxy)