SPE International President Visits Aberdeen Section (UK)

The President of SPE International, a global society which aims to advance the technical and professional skills of individuals in the oil and gas industry, spent last week visiting the Aberdeen section including attending its annual awards ceremony.

President Dr. Ganesh Thakur was in the city to hear about the innovative and important work that the Aberdeen section has been doing during the 2011/12 session.

This has included developing a number of initiatives designed to educate young people on the career options available in the oil and gas industry, such events to enhance younger school children’s basic maths and science skills, and educational workshops for older children looking at the technologies and systems used in the industry.

Career guidance counsellors and teachers have also been invited to attend several SPE conferences for specific sessions on how to encourage young people into the industry, and the sort of jobs on offer.

Throughout the year, SPE has hosted regular technical meetings for energy professionals at all levels as well as co-ordinated several high-profile conferences and exhibitions which have attracted delegates across Europe and internationally, including the SPE ICoTA European Well Intervention Conference and DEVEX 2012.

The visit included a keynote address by Dr. Thakur at SPE Aberdeen’s annual awards evening, which was held at Aberdeen’s Satrosphere on Monday 11 June.

The awards ceremony, which saw around 100 people attend, recognised SPE members who have shown particular commitment in supporting the society’s objectives over the past 12 months. Member organisations which have demonstrated a significant contribution were also presented with awards on the evening.

The winners on the night were:

• Outstanding student chapter – University of Aberdeen

• Young professional – Sankesh Sundareshwar (process engineer at Bluewater UK)

• Service award for exceptional contribution – Alan Johnson (principal petrophysicist at Shell UK) and David Liddle (strategic technology director at ITF)

• Corporate award for outstanding support by an organisation – TAQA Bratani

Masud Javaid, chairman of SPE Aberdeen, said: “It was enormously encouraging for us to be given the opportunity to meet Dr. Thakur and hear about the important work the society is doing, and how our section is helping to contribute to the global industry.

“We have some extremely talented individuals within SPE Aberdeen who are truly committed to advancing technical knowledge in the sector, as well as more generic professional skills. Our section has won the SPE International award for service excellence for two years running and this is down to the excellent work we see from our members. This visit from the President is a sign that this has been recognised, and we hope to see this success continue in the future.”

Dr Thakur is vice president, global advisor and fellow of Chevron Energy Technology Company and a world-recognised leader in reservoir engineering and management. He has authored a range of publications and conducted teaching engagements at educational institutes around the world. His expertise is regularly called upon in the design and implementation of technical programs and mentoring in the industry.

Talking about his visit to the Aberdeen section, Dr Thakur said: “It is important for each of the SPE sections to share best practice so that as a global society, we are working together to achieve the same aims.

“The Aberdeen section is demonstrating some real innovative thinking in the types of initiatives and events it offers, and the increasing number of members is extremely promising for both the section and the society as a whole.”

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Subsea World News Staff , June 22, 2012; Image: SPE