Research & Development Technical Section

(RDTS)

Connecting innovators across the energy value chain to turn bold research ideas into practical technologies for a lower-carbon, more resilient future.

Explore 2025–2026 Programs How to Get Involved
About Why We Exist Our Community Strategic Focus Now & Next Looking Ahead Join Us Leadership
About RDTS

Overview

The R&D Technical Section (RDTS) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers brings together members who are passionate about advancing research, technology development, and innovation across upstream oil and gas and the broader energy system.

Our community connects subject-matter experts from operators, service companies, start-ups, academia, and research organizations. Together, we explore emerging technologies, share lessons learned, and help shape the next generation of energy solutions—spanning subsurface, production, digital, decarbonization, and new energy domains.

Established
Early 2000s
One of SPE’s original technical sections, with a long-standing R&D legacy.
Global Community
5,000+*
Professionals and students across all major producing regions.
Focus
End-to-End R&D
From early-stage ideas to deployment and commercialization.

*Approximate recent membership based on SPE statistics.

Why We Exist

Our Mission

RDTS cultivates an open, cross-disciplinary environment where SPE members can explore emerging research and development topics, test new ideas, and accelerate technology deployment for the upstream and evolving energy landscape.

We are committed to:

  • Connecting R&D leaders, early-career professionals, and students across regions and disciplines.
  • Spotlighting technologies that improve safety, efficiency, sustainability, and value creation.
  • Translating research into field-ready solutions and scalable business impact.

RDTS delivers this mission through a mix of in-person and virtual offerings:

  • Webinars & SPE Live: Regular virtual sessions with global experts on emerging topics.
  • Workshops & Forums: Deep-dive, highly interactive events built around the R&D Grand Challenges.
  • JPT Articles: Feature articles that frame the Grand Challenges and highlight real-world case studies.
  • Podcasts & On-Demand Content: Coming in 2026—bite-sized conversations with innovators and entrepreneurs.
  • Social & Digital Platforms: SPE Connect and LinkedIn for continuous networking and collaboration.

Leadership Spotlight

Dr. Reza Barati

Dr. Reza Barati Vice-Chair, Recovery Enhancement Program

Reza Barati, Ph.D., is the Don W. Green Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Director of the Tertiary Oil Recovery Program (TORP) at the University of Kansas (KU). With over 18 years of academic and industry experience, he has led multidisciplinary research teams, secured funding from agencies like NSF, DOE, ACS, and SPE, and fostered strategic collaborations across disciplines. Dr. Barati has extensively worked on several industry and state-funded projects as a consultant. He has also worked for Schlumberger, Halliburton, Kinder Morgan and Chesapeake Energy. As TORP Director, Dr. Barati has expanded research capabilities, developed innovative funding strategies, and strengthened industry partnerships. He also serves as the director of the Petroleum Engineering program and is a principal investigator for the Kansas Interdisciplinary Consortium for Earth, Energy, and Environment at KU. A dedicated educator and researcher, he has authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers, holds two patents and has edited a leading AGU-Wiley textbook on unconventional reservoirs.

For a full list of RDTS Board members and program leads, please visit the Section Officers page.

Strategic Focus

R&D Grand Challenges

The RDTS Grand Challenges framework defines the strategic R&D themes that will shape the oil and gas industry—and its role in the energy transition—over the next decade and beyond.

First published in the Journal of Petroleum Technology in 2011 and refreshed through a dedicated SPE workshop and article series in 2023, the Grand Challenges guide our programming, collaborations, and advocacy.

  • Improved recovery & net-zero upstream operations
  • Digital transformation & advanced analytics
  • Carbon capture, utilization & storage (CCUS)
  • Geothermal and new energy opportunities
  • Education, skills, and advocacy for the future workforce
R&D Grand Challenges
Our Community

Global Reach & Cross-Disciplinary Strength

RDTS is one of SPE’s largest and most diverse technical sections, with membership spanning all major oil and gas regions and an increasing footprint in emerging energy hubs. Our members work in:

Subsurface & Reservoir
Drilling & Completions
Production & Facilities
Digital / AI / ML
Advanced Materials
Sustainability & CCUS
Entrepreneurship
New Energy & Geothermal

RDTS frequently collaborates with other SPE Technical Sections—including Data Science and Engineering Analytics, Well Integrity, Flow Measurement, CCUS, and Sustainability—to ensure that complex problems are tackled from multiple angles.

RDTS global membership distribution
Now & Next

2025 Activity Snapshot

RDTS continues to “make virtual work” with a high-tempo calendar of webinars and written content, co-hosted with regional sections and sister technical sections.

Webinars

19 Technical Webinars (2025)

Covering topics such as AI & deep learning in production forecasting, quantum computing for oil and gas, digital twins, neutrally buoyant proppants, produced water as a resource, and more.

Thought Leadership

Bi-Monthly JPT Articles

A series of five R&D-focused articles throughout 2025 explore Grand Challenge themes, case studies, and cross-disciplinary R&D success stories.

Collaboration

Joint Programs

Co-branded events with Gulf Coast Section, DSEATS, DSATS, AMTS, HYFTS and others expand the reach of RDTS content and bring in new perspectives.

Join the Community

Get Involved with RDTS

Whether you are an experienced researcher, a technology developer, a start-up founder, or a student curious about R&D, there is a place for you in RDTS.

  • Join the Technical Section : Add RDTS to your SPE profile to receive updates and event invitations.
  • Follow us on LinkedIn : Join the R&D discussions in the greater community.
  • Share Your Work: Propose a webinar, workshop topic, podcast idea, or JPT article.
  • Volunteer: Support one of our focus areas—Digital/AI/ML, Advanced Materials, Entrepreneurship, or Education & Advocacy.
  • Collaborate: Partner with RDTS on joint events across technical sections, universities, or regional sections.

To learn more or get involved, connect with us on SPE Connect, follow our updates, or reach out to the RDTS leadership team.

Looking Ahead

Aspirational 2026: New Initiatives

Building on the momentum from 2025, RDTS is planning several new offerings for 2026 that deepen our impact across digital, materials, and entrepreneurship themes.

Digital / AI / ML

Quantum & AI/ML Programs

  • 1st SPE Quantum Computing Workshop (planned at Rice University, May 2026).
  • Support for the 2nd SPE AI/ML Forum (planned for early 2026).
  • Continued webinars on generative AI, digital twins, and advanced analytics.
Advanced Materials & Sustainability

Low-Carbon Cement & Beyond

  • A dedicated Low-Carbon Cement Workshop (targeting Q2 2026, University of Houston) connecting materials scientists, operators, and service providers.
  • Integration of sustainability and life-cycle thinking across RDTS programs and Grand Challenges.
Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem

Podcast & Start-Up Engagement

  • Launch of a new RDTS podcast series featuring R&D leaders and founders.
  • Closer alignment with SPE Start-Up Village to support innovators and scale-ups.
  • Expanded engagement with universities and Eastern Hemisphere hubs.

Alongside these new initiatives, RDTS will continue its bi-weekly webinar cadence, opportunistic JPT articles, and collaborations with other technical sections—keeping our community connected and informed, wherever you are in the world.

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Thank you to our generous ATCE 2025 Technical Section Reception Sponsors!

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