SPE RDTS Symposium · 17-18 November 2026 · CPG-KFUPM

Recovery Enhancement

in the current era of sustainability

A two-day SPE RDTS technical symposium on recovery enhancement hosted by CPG-KFUPM for the first time in the Middle East.

Call for Abstracts → Read the program
Date17-18 Nov 2026
VenueCPG-KFUPM
Tracks16

Welcome Message

Welcome from the Executive Committee Chair

Recovery enhancement remains one of the most effective pathways to maximize value from existing hydrocarbon resources while supporting responsible energy development. As the industry seeks to meet growing energy demand while advancing decarbonization objectives, innovation in recovery-enhancing technologies has become more important than ever.

The SPE Research & Development Technical Section (RDTS) Symposium on Recovery Enhancement in the Current Era of Sustainability will be hosted by the College of Petroleum and Geosciences (CPG), KFUPM, on November 17–18, 2026, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Bringing together industry leaders, researchers, technology providers, students, and young professionals from around the world, the symposium will provide a premier platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The technical program will feature 16 tracks spanning the full spectrum of recovery enhancement, covering both foundational and next-generation IOR/EOR technologies, from recovery mechanisms and reservoir surveillance to digitalization, artificial intelligence, water management, and field-scale implementation.

Beyond technical excellence, the symposium will emphasize innovation, technology deployment, and commercialization pathways that accelerate the transition of promising ideas from research to field application. By strengthening collaboration among academia, industry, and service providers, we aim to foster solutions that deliver both technical impact and business value.

As a preeminent academic institution, CPG-KFUPM is committed not only to advancing research and innovation but also to developing future talent. This symposium provides a unique opportunity for students and young professionals to engage with global experts, gain exposure to real-world challenges, and contribute to shaping the future of recovery enhancement technologies and subsurface energy systems.

I invite you to join us in Dhahran and actively participate in this important event through technical discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing. I look forward to welcoming you to KFUPM and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for what promises to be an impactful and memorable event.

Dr. Ali Al Yousef

Welcome,

Dr. Ali Alyousef

Executive Chair, 2026 SPE RDTS Symposium

Dean, College of Petroleum and Geosciences (CPG), KFUPM

2016 SPE IOR Pioneer

About the symposium

A focused symposium on what comes next

Oil and gas production remains a major part of the current and future energy system, even as the industry advances alternative energy resources and lower-carbon pathways.

This symposium focuses on recovery-enhancement technologies and engineering best practices that maximize hydrocarbon recovery while maintaining progress toward decarbonization targets and supporting circular water economy initiatives.

Abstracts are solicited from universities, research institutes, oil and gas companies, and service providers across the full recovery value chain: laboratory insights, field deployment, water stewardship, productivity enhancement, digital integration, and sustainability.

Submit an abstractView tracks
Abstracts open17 June 2026
Abstracts close17th August 2026
Notification7 September 2026
Symposium17-18 November 2026

Topics of interest

Sixteen tracks across the recovery value chain

Abstracts are welcomed across all of the following themes. Cross-cutting work bridging multiple tracks is especially encouraged.

01
Next-generation recovery technologies

Low salinity, nanotechnology, and hybrid recovery processes.

02
Gas injection

Immiscible and miscible injection, mobility control, foam, thickeners, and gas-soluble polymers.

03
Chemical EOR

Polymers, surfactant, surfactant-polymer, and alkali-surfactant-polymer methods.

04
Viscous oil recovery

Thermal, non-thermal, and hybrid methods.

05
Shale IOR / EOR

Recovery improvement and productivity enhancement in unconventional reservoirs.

06
EOR fundamentals

Mechanistic insights, laboratory modeling, and new recovery concepts.

07
Subsurface water management

Mechanical and chemical water shutoff, gels, smart completions, ICDs, and ICVs.

08
Productivity enhancement

Well intervention, acid stimulation, and fracturing.

09
Produced water

Handling, treatment, reinjection, and high-salinity challenges.

10
AI and digital integration

Digital workflows for recovery optimization, surveillance, and decision support.

11
Decarbonization

Lower-carbon opportunities in recovery processes.

12
Mature fields

Maximizing production and extending field value.

13
Sustainability in EOR

Environmental performance, field deployment, and operational stewardship.

14
Innovation to field-scale implementation

Technology innovation, upscaling, techno-economic analysis, start-up, venture capital funding, and commercialization.

15
Monitoring and surveillance

PTA, RTA, sensor development, and field diagnostics.

16
Economics, regulation & Circular water economy

Commercial, policy, and regulatory challenges; circular water economy initiatives

Venue

Auditorium, Building 78, CPG-KFUPM

Hosted by the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, one of the global premier venues for upstream education, research and technological innovation

Date17-18 November 2026
Building78 — CPG Auditorium
CityDhahran, Saudi Arabia
AudienceReservoir, production, IOR/EOR, water management, digital, AI, and sustainability professionals
Open location map
CPG-KFUPM CampusCollege of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences

Abstracts close 17th August 2026

Ready to contribute?

Share your work with the SPE RDTS community. Submit a proposed oral presentation or poster for consideration. Manuscripts are not required if your abstract is accepted.

Submit an abstract →

Submission guidance

Submission type: oral presentation or poster.

Abstract word limit: 450 words maximum.

Required format:

  • Problem statement / objectives
  • Methodology / process
  • Results and discussion
  • Practical and scientific significance / novelty

Selection notice: selected abstracts will be notified by 7 September 2026.

SPE RDTS Recovery Enhancement Abstract Submission Form previewOpen abstract submission form →

Program

Two-day in-person technical program

Session details will be published in September 2026.

Registration information

Registration is required for venue access, catering counts, badge preparation, and capacity management. Final registration instructions will be posted once the organizing team confirms the host-site process.

Registration link to be addedContact organizers

Committees

Executive Committee

Chair
Dr. Ali Al Yousef
Dr. Ali AlyousefDean of the College of Petroleum Engineering & Geoscience, KFUPM
Co-Chair
To be announcedARAMCO

Organizing Committee

Technical Committee

Hiral Jain
Hiral JainPetroleum Engineering Department, CPG, KFUPM

Sponsors & Collaborators

Organized in collaboration

Sponsor recognition is subject to SPE policies and organizer confirmation. The organizing team is exploring direct support and in-kind support for event services where feasible.

Host
Principal Sponsor

Questions or collaboration ideas?

Contact SPE RDTS

For abstract questions, committee participation, sponsorship interest, or local collaboration, contact sperdts@gmail.com.

Email organizersBack to top ↑

SPE · RDTS Symposium

Recovery enhancement in the current era of sustainability
Hosted at CPG-KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia — 17-18 November 2026.

Organized by

SPE International Research and Development Technical Section, in collaboration with CPG-KFUPM and ARAMCO.