Petroleum++: ATCE, Financial Results, and GEODE

Abstract

The Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE), SPE’s flagship event, will be held in San Antonio, Texas, from 16–18 October. I encourage all members to seriously consider attending ATCE this year to benefit from the knowledge sharing presented by fellow members across all disciplines of petroleum engineering. Some SPE conferences are topically focused, such as the reservoir simulation, hydraulic fracturing, and HSE conferences. ATCE, on the other hand, is the conference where all petroleum engineering and related disciplines are discussed and serves as a barometer to help professionals gauge which specific competencies are needed now and in the future. It is also important that we are aware of the developments and the changes in other technical areas and of the directions our industry is taking based on the changes in economic, political, and technical arenas. ATCE is an excellent venue for all of us to obtain a broad range of information and trends. I am sure that most of our members are also aware of the additional benefits that may be obtained through attending ATCE. We know of the extensive exhibits where service, technology, and manufacturing companies provide members with the latest developments and enhanced products. Some national and international organizations show their work and major projects. All discuss developments that are affecting our profession and provide guidance about what we need to know to continue having successful and enjoyable careers. Another advantage of attending ATCE is the ability to network with our colleagues and friends throughout the industry. We usually get a chance to meet with friends that we have not seen for a while and to create new friendships with members that we meet during the conference. One of my favorite activities during ATCE is the alumni receptions. I always look forward to catching up with my classmates from my universities and learning from their experiences. This year, ATCE promises to provide all the benefits I just described as we welcome people back to our in-person events after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is encouraging that more and more of our members are coming back and attending events after we lost this opportunity for several years. As a member of the SPE Legion of Honor, I had the opportunity to attend numerous ATCEs starting with my first conference in 1973 held in Las Vegas. I’ve attended and enjoyed every ATCE since then, minus one I was unable to attend in Calgary. I would like share with you some of the history of ATCE since its inception in 1924. The conference in San Antonio will be the 100th edition of ATCE. As most of our members know, SPE was originally the petroleum branch of the American Institute of Petroleum and Metallurgical Engineering (AIME). It became its own society in 1957, and in 1958, ATCE was held in Houston. The event rotated between several US cities since and was held for the first time outside the US in Florence, Italy, in 2010.