Technical Papers Have Been the Backbone of SPE's Mission

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

In 1957, tail fins were big on the popular, if not all, cars. A 1957 Plymouth Belvedere was placed in an underground vault as part of a time capsule in Tulsa (they could have used better seal technology). A color TV was rare, and it had a round picture tube. Even most movies were still in black and white. Oil companies still constructed new derricks to drill new wells; the drawworks were moved, but the derricks usually stayed over the wellhead. Drilling rigs that could be moved from location to location were just beginning to be used. And SPE became an independent organization. I would not be a part of the industry officially for another 11 years, but my father already had spent several years with a big oilwell cementing company, so I knew what it was like to be in the oil patch. He joined the Panhandle Section of SPE in 1958 and transferred to the Amarillo Petroleum Section when it was formed in 1964. New technology was improving exploration and production. My father was excited about new types of well logs that could do more than just measure the self-potential and natural gamma radiation of the formations. He also was excited about technology that had moved from military uses during World War II to casing-perforation technology—jet perforating. I even got to take sample jet-perforating guns to school for science class show and tell. (I would not recommend trying that today.) Technology was improving the industry, and SPE was at the forefront of sharing that knowledge. SPE's mission is "To collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas resources, and related technologies for the public benefit; and to provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their technical and professional competence." JPT has been a main link in the dissemination and exchange of technical knowledge among petroleum engineers for more than 50 years. Before the Internet existed, JPT was the only link for many engineers and the main link for many more. SPE's online electronic library, the eLibrary, contains 150 papers that were written in 1958, the first full calendar year that SPE existed as an independent society. JPT published 86 papers in 1958. In 2006, the latest full calendar year, there were 2,251 papers added to the eLibrary. From 1958 through June 2007, 45,450 papers were made part of the permanent record of technical papers available to members and to the public through SPE. With the help of many industry experts over the years, SPE and JPT have presented important advancements in technology to engineers and other scientists.