Comments: SPE's New Publication
Authors: Donnelly John 
Published: February 2015

Packaged with this month's JPT is SPE's newest publication, Talent & Technology. Unlike Society publications that focus primarily on technology, Talent & Technology will place more emphasis on the "people" side of the oil and gas industry, covering such issues as the competition for technical talent, the coming "big crew change," the effect of demographic changes on the industry's ability to develop upstream technology, and other matters. The new publication goes hand in hand with 2007 SPE President Abdul-Jaleel Al-Khalifa's theme of "People First," which he has been outlining each month in JPT.

Two of the most critical challenges currently facing the industry are how to satisfy growing global demand and how to attract, develop, and inspire the talent the industry needs to meet that demand. The shortage of technical talent has become more obvious during the current industry boom, and persuading graduates to join the oil and gas business has become harder. Several well-known industry executives and experts—including ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Stuart McGill, Marathon Oil President and Chief Executive Officer Clarence Cazalot, PetroSkills President J. Ford Brett, and Total E&P Senior Vice President of Human Resources François Viaud—offer their thoughts on that challenge in the first issue. The new publication will be mailed to all SPE members.

Talent & Technology brings to eight the number of printed publications avail-able to members covering various facets of the upstream industry. JPT, which is mailed to all professional members of the Society, is best known, but the others make significant contributions to SPE's mission of technology dissemination and understanding. Publications, SPE's many meetings and conferences, and its website are the main vehicles for the Society's collection and distribution of that information.

Two years ago, SPE launched The Way Ahead in recognition of the industry's demographic shift and the growing importance of young professionals in our business. That magazine is sent to SPE members under the age of 35, graduating college seniors, and select member and nonmember executives. Now beginning its third year of publication, it has proved quite popular among younger members and has become not only a learning tool but also a good snapshot of what SPE's young professionals are doing around the globe. That magazine can be viewed online at www.spe.org/web/twa.

An important venue for technical information remains SPE's several technical journals that feature papers that have been reviewed and approved by the SPE Editorial Review Committee, an international group made up of more than 400 engineers and scientists. The journals include SPE Drilling & Completion; SPE Production & Operations; SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering; SPE Projects, Facilities & Construction; and SPE Journal. More information about these publications—including how to subscribe, how to access the online versions, and how to submit a technical paper for review—is available at www.spe.org.

Later this year, JPT will publish a special issue commemorating SPE's 50th anniversary. That October issue will include stories, photos, and highlights of the past half century in both the Society and the oil and gas industry. If you have information or photos you would like to share with other members in that commemorative issue, please contact me at jdonnelly@spe.org.