This international panel explores how subsurface knowledge and data-driven methods can support geothermal development and business innovation across two distinct geothermal markets.

Dr. Serhat Akin is Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Middle East Technical University. Dr. Eylem Kaya is Senior Lecturer in Engineering Science at the University of Auckland.

Geothermal is, at its core, a subsurface characterization and flow problem—and the skills required to solve it are the same ones petroleum engineers already have. The session covers why geothermal and why now; low- versus high-enthalpy resources; hydrothermal, enhanced, advanced, and hybrid geothermal systems; the Texas subsurface opportunity; technology transfer from oil and gas across drilling, completions, characterization, and data; and the path ahead, including the intersection with carbon storage and the barriers to scale.

Dr. Birol Dindoruk is a professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2017 and the National Academy of Inventors in 2025. He brings more than 28 years of industry experience, including as Chief Scientist of Reservoir Physics at Shell International E&P. He is a former SPE Data Science and Engineering Analytics Technical Director and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for all SPE Journals.

This session examines the financial drivers and commercial frameworks governing geothermal development. The discussion will address capital intensity, operating cost structures, risk-return dynamics, core valuation parameters, and the progression from exploration through long-term asset performance.

Featuring Rob Klenner, President & CEO of GreenFire Energy, and Graham Bain, Principal Analyst with Enverus Intelligence® Research.

Drilling is among the most capital-intensive phases of geothermal development. This session examines the operational realities of well construction across low-enthalpy resources, high-temperature systems, and extreme thermal gradients, with emphasis on the engineering decisions needed to design and drill for each environment.

Eric van Oort is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin and directs the RAPID industry consortium for drilling and construction of oil and gas, geothermal, and carbon storage wells. Before joining UT Austin in 2012, he spent 20 years with Shell. He has coauthored more than 250 technical papers, holds 22 patents, and is a former SPE Distinguished Lecturer, SPE Distinguished Member, and recipient of major SPE and AIME technical awards.

This opening webinar launches the SPE DSEATS Geothermal Learn-to-Launch Initiative 2026, focused on geothermal learning and how an idea can be scaled into a business.

Roland N. Horne is the Thomas Davis Barrow Professor of Earth Sciences and Professor of Energy Science and Engineering at Stanford University and Director of the Stanford Geothermal Program. He previously chaired Stanford's Department of Petroleum Engineering, served as President of the International Geothermal Association, and chaired the technical program for multiple World Geothermal Congresses. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and an Honorary Member of SPE.