Special Sessions

Time:  0845-0945
Location: Special Session Room 1

DESCRIPTION:

As the energy sector accelerates toward net-zero goals, the Production & Facilities (P&F) domain plays a central role in enabling decarbonization through advancements in flow measurement, digital integration, automation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This session explores how evolving technologies and skill sets are transforming traditional infrastructure to address key challenges in methane mitigation, hydrogen and CO₂ handling, and CCUS. Topics include emissions measurement at scale, digital tools for operational efficiency, the complexities of hydrogen and CO₂ metering, and the need for cross-functional collaboration to meet regulatory and ESG objectives in a rapidly digitizing, low-carbon industry.

Keynote:
Tom Mooney
Lead of Global Measurement Team
BP

Panelists:

Moderators:

Phaneendra B. Kondapi
Affiliate Professor
Colorado School of Mines

Ardian Nengkoda
Petroleum Engineering SME
Aramco

Time: 0845-0945
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

Superhot Rock (SHR) is defined as a resource with temperatures greater or equal than 375 deg C (707 deg F) and pressures greater or equal than 22MPa (3191 psi). Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS) in SHR can return injected water as a super-hot fluid to maximize the electricity yield and the operational life. SHR EGS can produce power with high-energy density comparable to any other energy resource as a source of carbon-free, basedload electricity. Mazama Energy (Mazama) is dedicated to advancing technologies and methods for engineering systems to extract heat from SHR reservoirs. Mazama's Modular Unconventional Superhot Energy (MUSE(tm)) system is the integration ot its innovations spanning well engineering, SHR drilling, reservoir creation, and optimal heat harvesting to scale geothermal into a universal resource and generate Terawatts of secure, los-cost, carbon-free power. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Mazama will pilot the first-of-its-kind SHR EGS Demonstration Project at Newberry Volcano, Oregon, in collaboration with state and federal agencies and by engaging local communities. The mission is sustainable, clean energy production with minimal impact on the environment, land, water and wildlife. The efforts are stated for Fall 2025 and 2026. To showcase its technological advancements, Mazama is initiating the drilling of a new inclined well at Newberry volcano to create the world's first-ever Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) with temperatures exceeding 300 deg C (572 deg F). The bottom 305 meters (1,000 ft) section of this well will run parallel to an existing well and is designed to reach a total depth (TD) of approximately 3,038 meters (10,000 ft), with an estimated bottomhole temperature of approximately 330 deg C (626 deg F). Both wells will be stimulated in their lower 305 meters (1,000 ft) sections to form the EGS reservoir. Given the complexity of the project, specialized materials, including custom-formulated PDC cutters and other tailored technologies, will be employed. Based on data from the existing well, the expected lithologies will encompass a diverse range of volcanic and volcaniclastic units, including ash flows, debris flows, and silicic domes, as well as basalt lava flows down to 2,600 meters (8,600 ft), transitioning to basalt, granodiorite, and felsic dikes below this depth. Lessons learned from this initial demonstration will apprise the Newberry SGR EGS demonstration project, all aimed at maximizing operational efficiency and setting the bar for scaling up SHR EGS for low-carbon electricity production.

Panelists:

Moderator
:

Elizabeth Cambre
Business Development Manager,
New Energies -Geothermal
Vallourec

Time: 1030-1130
Location: Special Session Room 1

DESCRIPTION:

Managing well integrity as fields mature presents technical and strategic challenges that directly impact economic viability, risks and operational safety. This technical session will explore approaches for assessing and extending the remaining useful life of wells, as well as criteria for properly identifying wells for permanent abandonment (P&A) or repurposing for new applications such as gas storage, CCUS, and others. The discussion will also address risk-based decision-making methodologies, reliability-based approaches, and asset management strategies that can improve long-term well integrity, optimize intervention planning, and support regulatory compliance. Additionally, the integration of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and data sharing, will be examined as a tool for optimizing decision-making and mitigating failures.
Beyond technical challenges, the transition of wells between major operators and smaller companies adds further complexities to integrity management. Managing MAR (Major Accident Risk) in Offshore Well Interventions will be discussed and the relationship between near-Incidents, incidents and well control risk. This session will examine best practices for well handover, including strategies to ensure continuity in integrity management, supply chain challenges, and regulatory impacts. Given the increasing role of digitalization, the discussion will also emphasize the importance of structured data handover, availability, and standardization to facilitate seamless integrity management across different operators. Sharing experiences among industry players will be key to enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the long-term safety and sustainability of mature fields.

Panelists:

Danilo Colombo Risk and Reliability Technical Advisor Petrobras

(Yinka) Oluyinka Jimoh  Well Integrity Lead Shell

Hans-Jacob Lund Principal Well Integrity Engineer ConocoPhillips

Federico Juarez Perales Principal Engineer Havtil (Norwegian Petroleum Authority)

Pierre-Edourd Vincent Principal Engineer Well Risk Management Total Energies

Moderator:

Michael Edwards
Senior Executive Advisor
Partners in Performance,
an Accenture Co

Time: 1030-1130
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

Lithium is a critical mineral at the heart of the energy transition, enabling the large-scale deployment of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage. With demand surging, there are complex dynamics at play, including sudden supply expansions, the slow pace of developing new projects, and the rapidly changing geopolitics of critical minerals. Consequently, many governments classify lithium as critical, pushing for innovative extraction methods to enhance supply diversity and energy security. The supply-demand gap may be bridged by conventional supply increases from new or expanded mines. However, concerns about traditional methods, like hard rock mining and evaporation ponds, focus on environmental impacts and delays.

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) from oilfield brines, and geothermal resources presents a promising and more sustainable alternative, potentially enabling faster access to previously overlooked lithium sources. While some companies have successfully demonstrated lithium recovery from geothermal brines, scaling up these technologies to full production remains complex and capital-intensive. This raises concerns about bankability, as investors seek proven, de-risked technologies before committing substantial capital. This panel delves into the latest advancements in DLE technologies and projects, as well as the role of strategic investments, R&D, and policy levers to bring DLE up to speed and establish it as a cornerstone of future lithium supply.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Babatunde Anifowose
Senior Lecturer
Coventry University

Time: 1400-1500
Location: Special Session Room 1

DESCRIPTION:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the Energy Industry, driving innovations across efficiency, safety, sustainability, and profitability. With the increasing complexity of operations and the exponential growth of data from exploration, production, and monitoring activities, AI technologies are poised to redefine traditional workflows and decision-making processes. Among AI advancements, Generative AI is gaining prominence for its ability to unlock value from the massive amounts of data generated in the industry. This panel discussion brings leaders from operating companies, technology innovators, and service providers to explore the real-world impact of AI applications, including predictive maintenance to reduce downtime, drilling optimization to enhance well performance, seismic data analysis to improve exploration accuracy, reservoir management to maximize recovery, and energy consumption monitoring to achieve sustainability goals.

Panelists will debate key challenges and opportunities such as data governance and security, workforce readiness, and the practical adoption of Generative AI for creating actionable insights. Topics include how Generative AI can automate the synthesis of incomplete or sparse datasets, generate synthetic seismic or production data for modeling, and enhance decision-making by identifying patterns across multimodal data sources. The discussion will also examine barriers to scaling AI solutions and strategies for achieving seamless integration of AI into upstream workflows.

Through diverse perspectives, the panel will address:

• The role of Generative AI in transforming data management and processing workflows.

• Tackling data overload: turning petabytes of unstructured and semi-structured data into value.

• AI's contributions to enhancing operational safety, sustainability, and compliance.

• Future trends in AI-driven innovation, including autonomous systems, advanced predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring systems.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Amr El Bakry
Senior Principal,
Data Science
ExxonMobil

Time: 1400-1500
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

Methane emissions from oil and gas operations represent a critical challenge requiring coordinated solutions across environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. As global regulatory frameworks evolve and public scrutiny intensifies, the industry must demonstrate leadership in emission reduction while maintaining economic viability.

This special session features a distinguished panel comprising experts from academia, technology companies, government agencies, service providers, and operators. The diverse composition ensures comprehensive examination of methane emission challenges from multiple perspectives, fostering holistic understanding of pathways forward.

Discussion topics include technological breakthroughs in methane detection and quantification, emerging regulatory implications, and innovative mitigation strategies. Specific focus areas encompass satellite-based monitoring, artificial intelligence applications, novel sensor technologies, and measurement standardization. The panel will explore effective integration of these advances into existing operations while addressing implementation challenges.

Through meaningful stakeholder dialogue, this session aims to bridge gaps between regulatory requirements, technological capabilities, and operational realities, catalyzing partnerships that accelerate effective methane mitigation solutions. 

Panelists:

J. Daniel Arthur CEO All Consulting

Sebastien Biraud Senior Scientist LBNL

Faye Gerard Director IOGP

Ali Lashgari Diector Project Canary

Moderator:

Linda Battalora
Professor
Colorado School of Mines

Saeed Salehi
Professor
Southern Methodist University

Arash Dahi Taleghani
Professor
Penn State

Time: 1545-1645
Location: Special Session Room 1

DESCRIPTION:

The convergence of AI/ML, physics-based modeling, and high-performance computing (HPC) is transforming how we approach our most complex problems—from optimizing subsurface models to accelerating equipment design and scaling digital twins in the cloud. Yet, real-world adoption is still constrained by fragmented workflows, resource prioritization, and the challenge of integrating scalable AI without losing the rigor of physics-based science.

A diverse panel of technology experts and industry leaders from ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Nitec LLC, and AWS share practical use cases, lessons learned from deployment, and their vision for what’s next in computational science for O&G. The session will provide candid insights into overcoming adoption challenges, capacity building and how collaboration across the ecosystem can unlock the next leap in performance and efficiency.

Some of the discussion topics include:

• Tools and training needed to efficiently accelerate the AI/ML-based decision making.

• Evolving software tools and programming paradigms to meet today’s just-in-time no-code, low-code computational needs.

• Breaking through performance limits in geophysics, petrophysics, and structural mechanics computation.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Xiaojun Huang
Chief Engineer of Modeling,
Optimization, and Data Science
ExxonMobil

Time: 1545-1645
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

As the oil and gas industry navigates the complexities of the energy transition, safety management must evolve from traditional error-reduction strategies to a resilience-based approach. This session will explore how human competences, and emerging technologies can work together to enhance system resilience, ensuring safer and more adaptive operations. The discussion will be based on:

• Transitioning from a human-error-centric approach to understanding systems resilience in complex O&G workplaces.

• The role of human competences – technical and non-technical – in shaping safe and adaptive operations.

• Leveraging digitalization and technology to support human decision-making for safety and sustainability.

• Lessons from accidents and good-practices that enhances safety and builds high-reliability operations in an energy transitioning environment.

• Highlights and challenges to developed safe and sustainable solutions for a complex and dynamic energy transitioning environment.

And drawing on insights from the industry’s experts, this discussion will challenge outdated paradigms and propose forward-thinking strategies for a high-reliability and sustainable energy future.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Abdelsalam Yasseen
Senior HSE Programs Manager
 Baker Hughes

Time: 0845-0945
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

Energy infrastructure has expanded significantly over the years, evolving beyond traditional production platforms and onshore central processing facilities to encompass new energies such as wind, CCUS, and geothermal assets. This diversification introduces increasingly complex technical and strategic challenges to asset integrity, with implications for safety, risk, and economic performance across the asset lifecycle. While asset integrity was once managed by asset class and discrete work scopes, today’s strategies must align with broader organizational risk profiles. In this panel, asset owners and risk management experts will explore risk-based and reliability-centered approaches that promote cross-asset learning, regulatory adaptation, and lifecycle extension.

To support this evolving complexity, SPE’s Management Technical Section (MTS) will introduce its taxonomy - a structured framework designed to classify and connect asset management concepts across technical domains. This taxonomy enables integration with disciplines such as Well Integrity, enhancing consistency, knowledge transfer, and strategic alignment across diverse asset types.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Michael Edwards
Senior Executive Advisor 
Partners in Performance
(An Accenture Company)

 

Time: 1030-1130
Location: Special Session Room 1

DESCRIPTION:

Offshore completions play a key role in maintaining and offsetting the global decline in oil and gas production, contributing to 30-40% of total global output. The oil industry is projected to invest over $200 billion in the development of offshore reservoirs in the coming years. Over the past decade, significant advancements in completion technologies have resulted in considerable improvements in reliability and efficiency, enabling the successful completion of wells in challenging environments such as HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and long open-hole completions. Despite these advancements, new opportunities and challenges continue to emerge. The increasing number of mature offshore fields and depleting reservoirs transitioning into Brownfield developments presents new concerns and challenges for drilling and completions. Exploration, discoveries, and Greenfield developments are occurring in lower mobility reservoirs, such as the deepwater Paleogene/Lower Tertiary frontier, as well as deep, high-pressure reservoirs that may require 20k completions. While these challenges are very different, they share the common concern that existing technologies may be insufficient to develop these reserves safely and economically, necessitating the development of new solutions and practices.

Panelists:

Moderator:

Karen Olson
President
Olson Turner Enterprises

Time:  1030-1130
Location: Special Session Room 2

DESCRIPTION:

The role of the drilling engineer has changed in both depth and breadth. Technology development and application has shifted from operators to suppliers, and value generation is starting to shift from the speed of well delivery to a focus on the well’s complete life cycle. Well construction needs are also growing in the CCUS and Geothermal sectors, both of which bring their own distinct challenges to the table. The scenario we face is further complicated by a reluctance of westerners to enter the oil and gas profession which has reduced the number of Petroleum Engineering graduates from western universities. Meanwhile, Middle East and Asian universities continue to generate these engineers.
Join us for presentations followed by debate with the speakers and audience on important aspects for the way forward in the drilling engineer’s challenging role and needed skill sets.
 

Panelists:

Moderator:

Trent Jacobs
Managing Editor
Society of Petroleum Engineers