Photo of Shivani Vyas
SPE Technical Section
Artificial Lift Technical Section (ALTS)
“Our section provides an open forum for the global artificial lift community to exchange ideas, share best practices, and advance the understanding of lift systems between the reservoir–wellbore interface and the wellhead. By working together, we aim to make artificial lift safer, more reliable, and more efficient while supporting a sustainable energy future.”
– Shivani Vyas, Chairperson & YP Representative, SPE Artificial Lift Technical Section

Our Objectives & Strategic Tasks

Built around capability development, knowledge transfer, professionalism, public education, and global outreach.

Capability Development

ALTS supports capability development through online meetings, workshops, conferences, and the creation of new training materials and PetroWiki contributions. We collaborate with organizing committees of SPE conferences in artificial lift and production to avoid duplication, align programs, and help identify training needs and service providers.

📚 Training Workshops

Knowledge Transfer & Best Practices

The section promotes sharing of knowledge and best practices through meetings, ALTS webinars, JPT and TWA articles, technical papers, and SPE Connect discussions. We work with conference organizers to reduce competing offerings and to highlight key presentations so they reach a wider audience across the artificial lift community.

Webinars JPT / TWA

Professionalism, HSSE-SR & Recognition

ALTS promotes professionalism and the consideration of HSSE-SR in artificial lift operations and optimization. We encourage certification where applicable and nominate deserving members for relevant SPE awards within Production & Operations and other disciplines.

HSSE-SR SPE Awards

Public Education & Outreach

The section contributes to PetroWiki, Energy4me, STEM outreach, and student engagement to help the broader public understand the role of artificial lift and responsible production in the energy system. We also actively promote SPE global outreach and diversity through our programs and leadership selection.

STEM Energy4me Diversity

Purpose & Technical Scope

Advancing artificial lift practice from reservoir–wellbore interface to the wellhead.

The Artificial Lift Technical Section (ALTS) exists to further the objectives of SPE by enabling open discussion of all matters related to artificial lift system design, operation, optimization, and lifecycle performance. We focus on generating awareness of industry best practices and promoting those practices widely across regions and disciplines.

Our technical jurisdiction covers artificial lift between the reservoir–wellbore interface and the wellhead, including gas management solutions such as incremental wellhead or node compression upstream of process facilities. While integrated production system optimization is an important design consideration, the primary focus of ALTS is the artificial lift domain itself.

What We Focus On

  • All major lift methods (gas lift, rod lift, ESP, PCP, plunger lift & hybrids)
  • Wellbore inflow, outflow, and lift performance between reservoir & wellhead
  • Gas management and local compression supporting artificial lift
  • Failure analysis, reliability, and integrity of lift systems
  • Artificial lift in unconventionals, offshore, and mature assets

Who Can Be a Member?

Any SPE Member or Student Member in good standing with an interest in artificial lift is welcome to join ALTS. Membership is global, cross-disciplinary, and complementary to your geographic SPE section.

Production Engineers Operations & Field Staff Service & Technology Providers Researchers & Students

Leadership & Governance

A Board structure designed for continuity, diversity, and global representation.

ALTS is self-governing within the SPE Bylaws and policies established by the SPE Board of Directors. The section is led by an Executive Committee composed of a Past Chair, Chairperson, Program Chair (normally Chair-elect), Membership Chair, Administrative Chair/Treasurer, Young Professional (YP) Representative, and Community Webmaster. Regional Representatives and at-large Directors provide additional support and geographic reach.

Executive Committee

  • Chairperson & Past Chair
  • Program Chair (Chair-elect)
  • Membership Chair
  • Administrative Chair / Treasurer
  • Young Professional (YP) Representative
  • Community Webmaster

Board & Regional Representatives

  • At-large Directors serving staggered terms
  • Past Chairs Committee in an advisory role
  • Up to seven Regional Representatives promoting ALTS across SPE sections
  • Commitment to diversity and global representation in officer selection

How Officers Are Selected

Officers are elected annually from a slate prepared by a Nominating Committee led by the Past Chair. Candidates must be ALTS members in good standing and normally have prior service on the Board. Terms are limited to encourage renewal while enabling experienced leaders to serve in different roles over time.

For the current list of officers, directors, and regional representatives, please visit the ALTS Officers & Leadership page.

Programs & Activities

Translating our constitution into practical, member-driven initiatives.

Regular Meetings & Webinars

ALTS holds virtual meetings and webinars throughout the year to share case histories, new technologies, and lessons learned. An annual meeting is typically held at or near SPE ATCE to report on activities and announce election results.

Virtual Meetings Annual Meeting

Workshops & Conference Collaboration

The section collaborates with SPE workshops and conference organizing committees in artificial lift and production to coordinate themes, avoid duplication, and increase visibility of key technical contributions from our community.

Conference Joint Programs

Content & Resource Development

Members contribute to PetroWiki pages, JPT/TWA pieces, and other SPE publications relating to artificial lift. Over time, this will form a curated digital library of best practices and benchmarks for the global community.

PetroWiki Articles / Best Practices

Outreach, Students & Young Professionals

ALTS supports outreach through student engagement, Energy4me, and STEM volunteering, and offers leadership opportunities for Young Professionals to serve as officers, moderators, and project leads within the section.

Students YPs Outreach

Get Involved with ALTS

A technical home for everyone working with artificial lift, from the field to the boardroom.

Joining the Artificial Lift Technical Section is an easy way to deepen your involvement in SPE’s production and operations community. Once you add ALTS to your SPE membership profile, you will receive updates on programs and opportunities to contribute. Members are encouraged to:

  • Propose or deliver a webinar, workshop topic, or case study
  • Volunteer as a moderator, panelist, or committee member
  • Support PetroWiki, JPT/TWA content, and best-practice sharing
  • Serve as a Regional Representative or mentor for YPs and students

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