Pontem x SPE
20+ Years of SPE Involvement
It can be hard to keep up with all of the possible extra-curricular oil/gas events any given week. Seems like there is an endless supply of happy hours, clay shoots, golf outings, networking events (disguised as happy hours), and more. With limited hours in the day - and maybe a desire to have a life outside of the ‘oil/gas fam’ - we have found that the technical forums put on by SPE (Society for Petroleum Engineers) have continuously offered some of the most value-added opportunities, both to learn and stay current with our peers professionally, and also to grow personally.
This week, Pontem has two different SPE events on opposite sides of the globe:
Andrew Yule - TWA Editorial Board
Andrew Yule has been admitted to SPE/JPT The Way Ahead (TWA) Editorial Board, aimed at young professionals to collaborate with energy experts worldwide to source insightful material.
It’s exciting to be able to contribute to TWA, an online magazine that I have followed myself for some time now. Navigating the oil and gas industry as a young professional is always challenging and that’s why it’s important to find mentors and resources that can help you when starting out. I’m looking forward to providing some of those resources to the next generation of young professionals entering the industry (Andrew).
Editorial Note: Congrats to Andrew on just barely sneaking under the age limit to qualify as a ‘Young Professional’
Temitope Solanke - SPE (Ghana Section)
Temitope Solanke has been added to the DSEATS panel (Data Science & Engineering Analytics Technical Session) to share his insights on transforming African oil/gas operations through the power of data analytics and AI.
In recent years, the oil and gas industry in Africa has faced a multitude of challenges, ranging from fluctuating commodity prices to regulatory uncertainties. However, amidst these challenges lies a tremendous opportunity for innovation to reshape the future of the industry on the continent. Embracing innovation is imperative for African oil and gas companies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
By harnessing the power of AI and data analytics, African energy companies can optimize operations, enhance safety, and reduce costs, ultimately driving greater efficiency and productivity. All these factors result in increasing energy access and reducing energy poverty in Africa (Tope).
Editorial Note: Tope’s work throughout Africa to not only help educate and promote advances in oil/gas, but also with an over-riding social message to address energy poverty, should be commended. He has been a tireless advocate throughout his talks spanning the continent. Tope's significant impact on the oil/gas industry, demonstrated by his role as the Technical Programme Director for SPE YP England branch (2009-2010), coupled with his extensive speaking engagements worldwide, establishes him as a crucial voice in this conversation.
Looking Back…
Personally, SPE gave me the first public speaking opportunity at an industry conference, just over a year into my upstream career. It was fun, nerve-racking, cringe-worthy, and exciting all rolled into one. I appreciated mentors who believed in me and forced me into it, as the time is never ‘right’ to take that next step.
From there, various SPE conferences/workshops served as a good vehicle to collaborate on technical topics and continue to publish. Looking back (thanks OnePetro search), I had completely forgotten about some of the various topics we worked on and wrote/spoke about..
While there was value in writing / presenting on technical topics, doing so opened up doors to participate in wider SPE Forums that allowed more free-flowing discussion. Going “off-script” and having real human interaction (foreign concept these days, I know) with folks from all sort of different backgrounds. Again, very fortunate to have worked with people who encouraged stretching out into different areas, often where I was the youngest in the room (except for the baby elephant in Thailand below).
This was before the days of a bespoke ‘Young Professional’ (YP) chapter, so we got thrown in the deep-end with everyone else. Its an interesting debate whether a curated cohort of similar aged professionals is a better option, or is it better to “drink from the firehouse” with the elders…
The various SPE events brought me to exotic places like Dubrovnik, Bali, Phuket, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Langkawi, and Broomfield CO (?). There was often amazing foresight from the organizing committees at the events to foresee future industry challenges, exemplified most recently by a 2009 series focused on AI’s role in oil/gas…
Participating in wider SPE Technical Sessions (Flow Assurance) provided a chance to continue networking with peers. Special thanks to Dr Phani Kondapi for his recent recap on our technical session and its ‘Decade of Excellence’. I managed to avoid the photo-op below, but still got name-dropped.
Student Chapter
The great thing about SPE is that it spans the career gamut for oil/gas professionals. Starting from Student Chapters, moving into Young Professionals (YP), and continuing into wider technical series, SPE has aligned its mission to follow individuals throughout the career.
At Pontem, there may not be anyone who has made more of a career progression aligned with SPE Student Chapters than our very own, Kostas Poursanidis.
SPE Student Chapters bridge the gap between academia and the oil and gas industry, offering a pivotal platform for networking and knowledge sharing. This connection not only allows students to showcase their talents but also opens the door to their first career opportunities (Kostas).
Taken at the Regional Section Officer’s Meeting (RSOM) in Hungary, SPE student chapters started building out those wider peer networks that become valuable once everyone goes their ‘separate ways’, yet ultimately crossing paths again in the oil path.
At the University of Nicosia, Kostas earned the SPE Student Chapter excellence award. This ultimately led Pontem to finding Kostas (the first time…), as he was recommended by a peer from one of the operators, whose organization didn’t have a role for him. A quick flight over to Cyprus, a few cocktails, a great discussion, and Kostas was onboard.
And if nothing else, the Student Chapter engagements only serve to remind us of how “young” we once were (thinner, more hair, less wrinkles…).
Beyond just photo-ops, Kostas (and team members Duilio Brenta / Shahan Doumanian) participated in the SPE Energy GeoHakathon, placing as a Top 5 team worldwide out of 250+ participants from 16 nations. The teams were asked to devise a geothermal product development strategy, based on data science.
Given Pontem’s commitment to active recruitment at the university level, the participation in SPE Student Chapter events is foundational to not only build/develop the leaders of tomorrow, but also provide a pathway for their career progression.
Closing Thoughts…
It sounds cliche to scream “Get involved” as career advice for upcoming young professionals. But, that is how a cliche becomes a cliche. It can be easy to think you are building your network through monitoring LinkedIn likes/views. And happy hours attended. All of that is a piece of the puzzle. But, there is no substitute for real, material interactions with peers and establishing that credibility on a sound technical footing. That, combined with traveling to events to meet peers from different cultures in different cities. Say yes. Take the risk. Go on the trip. Your local bar can wait...
SPE offers a great opportunity to not only get involved early, but on a technical level with pathways for continued education throughout one’s career. And, its amazing how often those early connections come to ultimately bear fruit; maybe not immediately or in ways you expect, but often 10+ years down the road in your respective career journey. Play the long game. (“I was an overnight success all right, but 30 years is a long, long night.” Ray Kroc, McDonald’s)