Chairperson's message for November 2008
Message from the chair. . .
Dear Fellow SPE Members,
The LASPE Section started its Petroleum Technology Forum for this year by a presentation on an interesting and innovative technology to enhance oil production using a modified waterflood and carbon dioxide injection process. The “PowerwaveTM” Injection Technology presentation by Mr. John Warren of Wavefront’s USA operations attracted more than 40 industry people to the Forum (for details please see October issue of the newsletter). The process discussed in this presentation was an example of how innovative ideas can lead to development of new technologies to improve oil production from some mature oilfields and reduce the residual and bypassed oil. These innovations and related technology developments as well as the technology of process innovations are critically important to our industry in finding and producing the “next trillion barrels of oil”.
Any innovation becomes important if it goes beyond new technology development and product capability and when implemented effectively and economically. This is only achieved through testing and information exchange addressing the ramifications of technological innovation. Developing and implementing any new oilfield technology demands a clear understanding of how the overall process should work to be effective, practical, and economical.
Dissemination of information on new and advanced technology and promotion of effective and practical techniques in economic exploration and production of petroleum resources are among the main objectives of SPE. The oil and gas industry thrives on creating new technology and sharing that knowledge with others. SPE is the main facilitator in exchanging this knowledge and connecting the members of the industry.
In addition to information exchange at local, regional, national and international meetings, conferences, forums and workshops, as well as its many publications, for many years SPE has provided its members with great opportunities with professional networking. Since the best people to answer questions regarding the petroleum industry are those who work in the field, professional networks are effective and interactive outlets in providing SPE members opportunities to communicate with each other through posting questions, discussing views, developing ideas, solving problems, etc. Here are some examples of Professional Networks (PNs) that SPE provides its members:
- Technical Interest Groups (TIGs) which connect members who are interested in common technical (and non-technical) topics. • Human Resource Network (HRN) which is an open podium for SPE members to discuss any issue related to the main asset of the industry, “its people”.
- Young Professionals Network (YPN) which is a knowledge center for young professional members transitioning from academia to industry.
- Student Chapters Network provides interaction and information exchange between various SPE student chapters worldwide.
- Petroleum Engineering Educator Network which focuses on developing better understanding of the industry’s training and educational needs by determining how academia in partnership with industry, the service sector, and government can help fill those needs.
- Women’s Network which encourages networking among women members who could benefit from sharing experiences and insights on gender-related issues.
Many new SPE initiatives promote and encourage utilization and collaboration of these networks for the benefit of the members. For example, close interaction of Student Chapters and Young Professionals networks, at global level, has proved to be very effective in technical information exchange, professional development, resource utilization, and membership continuity. The reports and news from the two SPE student chapters in our Section, USC and CSULB, as well as our Section young professionals’ activities presented in this issue of the newsletter are good testaments to this fact. LASPE will continue to provide the venue and the environment for effective collaboration of the above professional networks. It is only through your participation that this goal can be achieved. I hope to hear your ideas and see you at this month Petroleum Technology Forum.
Sincerely,
Jalal Torabzadeh
LASPE Chairperson 2008-2009