SPE Quantum Computing Symposium 2026

Roadmap and Use Cases in Oil & Gas Applications

Dates: May 14–15, 2026
Venue: Rice University
Format: In-person event
Register Organizing Committee Agenda Venue
Sponsors SPE / RDTS Mission Overview Why Attend Topics & Use Cases QC @ JPT Quantum News Committee
Sponsors

Sponsors & Acknowledgements

Thank you to our confirmed sponsors supporting the SPE Quantum Computing Symposium.
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor

Interested in sponsoring? Contact sperdts@outlook.com with “Quantum Computing Symposium 2026 Sponsorship” in the subject line.

About

About SPE and RDTS

Quick links for attendees who are new to SPE and Technical Sections.
What is SPE?

SPE overview

What is RDTS?

RDTS home page

Code of conduct

Professional participation

Mission

Symposium mission statement

A two-day deep dive connecting oil & gas computational challenges with quantum computing capability.

Why this Symposium

Quantum computing is moving from theory to practical advantage

Join SPE for an exciting two-day event diving into possibilities of quantum computing for oil and gas applications. Quantum computing is now at a maturity level where it is demonstrating its potential to address some of the most challenging computational problems in the oil and gas industry. Applications of this game changing technology include enhancing reservoir simulation and modelling, improved uncertainty characterization, challenging logistics optimization, and many more to be discussed and discovered at this symposium.

Join us for this opportunity to explore how the meeting of this cutting edge technology and the oil and gas industry could help improve operations.

First SPE Symposium: extensive opportunities to network and discuss opportunities and challenges with experts in both oil and gas and quantum computing for cross-pollination of ideas.

Symposium session tracks

Jump into the areas that matter most

Intro to QC

How QC differs from classical computing; integrating QC into existing infrastructure; training and recruitment for deployment.

QC Technology Readiness

Hardware/software maturity (hardware, software, cost, scalability), different approaches to quantum computing, how to access and deploy QC.

Oil & Gas Challenges

Key computational problems, bottlenecks and pain points, and current approaches to solving these problems.

Collaboration & Best Practices

Sharing and collaboration, lessons learned from other industries, and how oil and gas has embraced AI/ML/HPC.

Event Overview

Quantum Computing in Energy

Exploring quantum algorithms for subsurface modeling, simulation, and optimization.

Artificial Intelligence has transformed how we interpret data. Quantum computing is poised to transform how we generate it—tackling classes of problems that are computationally impractical for classical systems.

  • Focus areas include subsurface modeling, reservoir simulation, and production optimization.
  • Emphasis on quantum algorithms, energy applications, and the digital infrastructure needed to pilot and scale.
  • Structured breakout sessions to connect industry computational leaders with QC subject matter experts.

Note: Agenda, speakers, and registration details will be posted as they are confirmed.

Subsurface Modeling
Reservoir Simulation
Optimization
Quantum Algorithms
Digital Infrastructure
Decarbonization
Why Attend

What You’ll Take Away

Clarity on where quantum differs from AI—and where it can outperform classical approaches.
Concepts & Fundamentals

Demystify Quantum vs. Classical

  • Understand core concepts and practical constraints.
  • Learn how quantum approaches differ from AI/ML workflows.
Applications & Use Cases

Energy-Relevant Workflows

  • Seismic inversion and subsurface inference.
  • Reservoir simulation and complex physics.
  • Field and supply-chain optimization.
Roadmapping

Move Toward Pilots

  • Identify pilot-ready opportunities.
  • Build a quantum-readiness roadmap and partnerships.
Program Themes

Topics & Use Cases

Practical areas where quantum methods may unlock speed, scale, or new solution quality.
Subsurface & Physics

Modeling & Simulation

Explore quantum-algorithm opportunities for high-dimensional, nonlinear subsurface problems—where classical solvers can be bottlenecked by complexity.

Technical Reservoir Simulation Fluid Dynamics Seismic Inversion
Operations & Decision

Optimization & Planning

Address combinatorial optimization workflows across multi-variable field operations—production scheduling, routing, maintenance planning, and supply chain.

Application Production Optimization Supply Chain Real-Time Ops

Industry advantage themes:

  • Speed: Potential to speed up key computational problems.
  • Scale: Handle massive datasets (e.g., SCADA, seismic, production logs) in hybrid workflows.
  • Strategy: Future-proof operations with cutting-edge adoption.
  • Sustainability: Accelerate decarbonization and material innovation.
Audience

Who Should Attend

Cross-functional participation is encouraged—technical, digital, and strategy.

Subsurface

  • Reservoir engineers
  • Geoscientists
  • Simulation specialists

Digital & Automation

  • Data scientists
  • Automation leads
  • Digital infrastructure teams

Innovation & Sustainability

  • Innovation managers & CTO orgs
  • ESG strategists
  • Carbon tech developers
Outcomes

Symposium outcomes

A practical set of outputs—beyond buzzwords.
  • Understand quantum fundamentals and real-world use cases.
  • Identify pilot-ready opportunities in your operations.
  • Build a roadmap for quantum readiness and strategic partnerships.
Resources

JPT articles and SPE Live

Optional pre-reading and recent programming on quantum and AI/ML.
JPT (Quantum & AI/ML)

Quantum computing: implications for data science and AI

Open article
JPT (RDTS Q&A)

Quantum computing—Are we ready?

Open article
SPE Live (December)

AI/ML and Quantum Computing: Move Fast, Lead Responsibly

Open episode page

More: JPT tag hub for quantum computing.

News

Quantum news spotlight

  • 2026-04-14 — QED-C 2026 State of the Global Quantum Industry report — QED-C

  • 2026-04-14 — Quantum for Energy and Utilities: Key Opportunities for Energy Transition (White Paper) — World Economic Forum 
  • 2026-02-23 — Understanding the Quantum Computing Hardware Landscape — The Quantum Insider
  • 2026-02-19 — Solving chemistry’s toughest problems: The quantum computing advantage — McKinsey
  • 2026-02-19 — 2 Top Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in 2026 — The Motley Fool
  • 2026-02-16 — The future of Quantum computing — the tech, companies, and roadmaps that map out a coherent quantum future — Tom’s Hardware
  • 2026-02-13 — Photonic claims “world-first” quantum teleportation across Telus fibre network — BetaKit
  • 2026-01-02 — 2026 Vision: The Top 10 Quantum Computing Breakthroughs and Trends — LinkedIn article
  • 2025-12-15 — Quantum Computing in 2026: 7 Trends That Will Impact Every Industry — Analytics Insight
  • 2025-12-08 — Future of Quantum Computing [2026-2030]: 10 Key Breakthroughs — StartUs Insights
  • 2025-11-12 — IBM Delivers New Quantum Processors, Software, and Algorithm Breakthroughs on Path to Advantage and Fault Tolerance — IBM Newsroom
  • 2025-11-10 — Latest Developments in Quantum Computing - 2026 Edition — USDSI
  • 2025-06-10 — How IBM will build the world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer — IBM Quantum Blog
Research feed / journal browsing

Springer Nature — Quantum Computing publications

Browse recent publications and topic pages: Springer Nature Quantum Computing

Agenda

Symposium Agenda

Quantum Computing for Oil & Gas Symposium — May 14–15, 2026

Day 1 — Foundations, Landscape & Use-Case Discovery

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Time Session
7:00–8:00 AMArrival Registration & Check-In
8:00–8:20 AMOpening

Welcome & Workshop Orientation

Celia Merzbacher, Thomas Halsey, Gaurav Agrawal, Jeff Bailey
8:20–8:50 AMKeynote The Workings & Potential of Quantum Computing Hardware Chris Monroe (Duke and IonQ)
8:50–9:20 AMKeynote State of Quantum Software Martin Roetteler
9:20–10:20 AMPanel

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Alex Kozsegi (DWAVE), Rodrigo Neumann (IBM), Trevor Chaleaux (QuEra), Moderator: Carl Dukatz
10:20–10:50 AMBreak Networking Break
10:50–11:20 AMTalk High-Compute Needs in Oil & Gas Xiaojun Huang (XOM)
11:20–11:50 AMTalk Quantum Applications for Oil and Gas Bob Parney (IBM)
11:50 AM–1:00 PMLunch Lunch — Mixed Group Seating
1:00–1:45 PMInteractive Reverse Q&A: Quantum Meets Oil & Gas
1:45–2:00 PMOverview Overview of Breakout Activities
2:00–3:45 PMBreakout Breakout Session 1: Problem Discovery & Use-Case Ideation Parallel tracks include Production Optimization & Flow Assurance, Simulation & Modelling, and Seismic Exploration
3:45–4:00 PMBreak Break
4:00–4:45 PMReports Breakout 1 Reports
4:45–5:00 PMWrap-Up Day 1 Wrap-Up
5:00–6:30 PMNetworking Networking Reception / Dinner

Day 2 — Feasibility, Prioritization & Execution Pathways

Friday, May 15, 2026

Time Session
8:00–8:15 AMFeatured Talk QED-C / Rice University Short Talk
8:15–8:45 AMTalk Oil and Gas Use Cases in Quantum Computing Jyotsna Sharma
8:45–9:15 AMTalk Oil and Gas Use Cases in Quantum Computing Divakar Vashisth
9:15–9:45 AMFireside Chat Quantum Adoption in Other Industries Rima Oueid (DOE)
9:45–11:15 AMBreakout Breakout Session 2: Feasibility & Fit Analysis
11:15–11:30 AMBreak Break
11:30 AM–12:15 PMReports Breakout 2 Reports
12:15–1:45 PMLunch Lunch
1:45–3:15 PMBreakout Breakout Session 3: Execution Pathways
3:15–3:30 PMBreak Break
3:30–4:15 PMReports Breakout 3 Reports
4:15–4:45 PMSummary Workshop Summary & Next Steps
4:45–5:00 PMClosing Closing Remarks
The agenda is being updated continuously. Please check back regularly.
Local Logistics

Local Logistics

Venue access, recommended hotels, and parking information for attendees.

Hotel booking note: For both recommended hotels below, please call the property directly and request the Rice University rate. Room types and rates are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Parking

Rice University North Parking Lot

1900 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005, USA

Open Google Map
Recommended Hotel

Hotel Zaza Museum District

5701 Main Street

Phone: 713-526-1991

  • Point of Contact at hotel: Zaza
  • Request the Rice University rate
  • Current availability: King at $179
  • Current availability: Double at $189 (presumed two doubles)
Recommended Hotel

Hotel InterContinental Medical Center

6750 Main Street

Phone: 713-422-2779

  • Call for Reservations
  • Request the Rice University rate
  • Current availability: King at $268
  • Current availability: 2 Queens at $268
  • Depending on availability when reservation is made, there may be other selections
Leadership

Organizing Committee

Help shape this event—committee participation is welcome.

Yogashri Pradhan

Committee Chair

IronLady Energy Advisors / OPX AI

Yogashri Pradhan

Thomas Halsey

Rice University

Thomas Halsey

Gaurav Agrawal

SPE RDTS

Gaurav Agarwal

Steven Samoil

SPE RDTS

Steven Samoil

Members (Industry / Research / Ecosystem)

  • Anantha Sundaram (ExxonMobil)
  • Bob Parney (IBM)
  • Celia Merzbacher (QEDC)
  • Jeffrey Bailey (Raise Group PBC)
  • Jessica Avery (QEDC)
  • Jyotsna Sharma (LSU)
  • Madhava Syamlal (QubitSolve)
  • Nicole Armstrong (QEDC)
  • T.S Ramakrishnan (SPE)

Members (Energy / Tech)

  • Rima Oueid (DOE)
  • Annie Wyhof (QEDC)
  • Sumathy Raman (ExxonMobil)
  • Shangjie Guo (BP)
  • Peter Noell (Infleqtion)
  • Justin Ging (Atom Computing)
  • Carl Dukatz (Accenture)
  • Rodney Lessard (SLB)
  • Pushpesh Sharma (AspenTech)

Members (Services / Consulting)

  • Chang-Yu Hou (SLB)
  • Carlos Alva (Deloitte)
  • Andrew Stiles (Deloitte)
  • Sebastian Engelmann (IBM)
  • Allison Schwartz (D-Wave)

Want to contribute? We’re currently seeking committee members to help shape the symposium program and outreach.

Register

Registration

Please use the official SPE registration page.

Registration is hosted on the SPE event registration page. You can register as a guest without SPE logins.

Please use the link below to register for the SPE Quantum Computing Symposium 2026.

Go to SPE Registration Page

Contact

Questions or Sponsorship / Collaboration Ideas?

For committee participation, collaboration proposals, or general questions:

sperdts@outlook.com

Please include “SPE Quantum Computing Symposium 2026” in the subject line.

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