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
0 +
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 program collage

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. Omid Mohammadzadeh

Director, Recovery Enhancement Program

Dr. Omid Mohammadzadeh is an Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering in the College of Engineering and Mines (CEM) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). His expertise spans fluid flow and transport in porous media, flow assurance, sustainable hydrocarbon recovery, and geological carbon and hydrogen storage. Trained as a reservoir engineer, he worked on full-field offshore developments in the Middle East before earning a PhD at the University of Waterloo focused on porous-media flow and EOR. Over the past 15 years, he has held roles including Senior Research Staff, Senior Scientist, and Research Director across North American universities and research centers, including the University of Saskatchewan and Memorial University, as well as SLB Canada and Schlumberger Doll Research (USA). He has authored/coauthored 70+ full-length technical papers and 65 technical/scientific reports.

Professionally, Omid has served on organizing and technical executive committees for multiple conferences and chaired conference sessions. An active SPE volunteer, he has contributed in various roles (including section officer positions in New York and New England), served on awards committees, and recently joined the leadership team of the SPE Research and Development Technical Section (RDTS). He has also served as an editorial board member, guest editor, or topical advisory panel member for journals including Scientific Reports, Fluids, and the Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology.

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.

Strategic Focus

R&D Grand Challenges

The RDTS Grand Challenges framework defines the strategic research and development priorities that will shape the oil and gas industry—and its evolving role within the broader energy system—over the next decade and beyond. These Grand Challenges are not static technical problems; they represent interconnected, system-level questions that require sustained innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and long-term thinking across industry, academia, and government.

First published in the Journal of Petroleum Technology in 2011 and refreshed through a dedicated SPE workshop and accompanying article series in 2023, the RDTS Grand Challenges serve as a unifying compass for the Technical Section’s activities. They guide RDTS program development, technical events, publications, and external engagement, while also providing a shared language for discussing how upstream technologies must evolve in response to societal expectations, energy security needs, and climate imperatives.

Today, the Grand Challenges encompass five core focus areas:

  • Improved recovery and net-zero upstream operations

  • Digital transformation and advanced analytics

  • Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)

  • Geothermal and new energy opportunities

  • Education, skills, and advocacy for the future workforce

Through these Grand Challenges, RDTS provides a platform for constructive dialogue, technical rigor, and forward-looking leadership—helping to translate bold research ideas into practical, scalable solutions that support a secure, affordable, and lower-carbon energy future.

RDTS R&D Grand Challenges group photo
R&D Grand Challenges Contributors (pictured):
  • Back row L to R, Gaurav Agrawal, Aksay Sahni, Richard Chuchla, Scyller Borglum
  • Front row L to R, Michael Traver, Matthew Balhoff, Thomas Halsey, Kishore Mohanty
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.

↑ Back to top

Announcements

  • Future-Proofing Petroleum Engineering Education: Curriculum, Capability, and Career Value in the En

    By: Mohamed Gabry Mohamed Gabry , 7 days ago
    image

    Upcoming SPE Distinguished Lecture | PETROFEST 2026

    The SPE Dibrugarh University Student Chapter (India) will host an SPE Distinguished Lecture by Dr. Ir. Anas M Hassan, P.Eng. this Saturday, 14 February 2026, as part of PETROFEST 2026 – International Oil & Gas Conclave.

    Held in hybrid mode (online + on-campus) on 14–15 February 2026, PETROFEST 2026 brings together technical and cultural programming under the theme:

     “Redefining Energy Frontiers.”

    🎓 Lecture Title
     Future-Proofing Petroleum Engineering Education: Curriculum, Capability, and Career Value in the Energy Transition Era

    🧭 Abstract

    As the energy landscape rapidly evolves—driven by decarbonization, digitalization, and energy diversification—petroleum engineering education must adapt to remain technically relevant, industry-aligned, and career-resilient. This lecture explores how curricula are changing globally, what capabilities are becoming essential, and how universities and students can position themselves for impact across the broader energy ecosystem.

    📅 Date: 14 February 2026
     📍 Format: Hybrid (Online & On-Campus)
     🏫 Host: SPE Dibrugarh University Student Chapter
     🎪 Event: PETROFEST 2026 – International Oil & Gas Conclave
    Scan QR to Register

Our Events


Latest Discussions