News & Announcements
This page lists news and announcements related to or of interest to SPE Pittsburgh Petroleum Section, with the exception of events and sholarship information, which are listed on those designated pages.
This page last updated: Aug 1, 2011
This page last updated: Aug 1, 2011
PTTC/DOE/RSPEA Gas Shales Workshop
Arlington, VA - Sept 25-27, 2011. For more info, click here
Penn State needs sponsors for trip to
SPE ATCE 2011 in Denver, Colorado
Our Penn State SPE Student Chapter is soliciting your participation as a sponsor for our society to the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado from 30th October to 2nd November. See details.
SPE Pittsburgh's 2011 Scholarship Winners Announced
Scholarships were awarded at the April meeting of the Penn State Student Chapter
Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients:
Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients:
- Bethany Johns
- Chew Leong
- Hadi Zakaria
- Heath Jacobs
- Matt Cavazza
- Aubrey Garland
SPE Needs You!
SPE is always looking for volunteers--at the local, regional, national and international levels. There are plenty of ways to get involved in person or online. For more information about volunteering, visit http://www.spe.org/membership/members/volunteering/.
SPE is always looking for volunteers--at the local, regional, national and international levels. There are plenty of ways to get involved in person or online. For more information about volunteering, visit http://www.spe.org/membership/members/volunteering/.
SPE Distinguished Lecturer Speakers Needed
Do you know an expert in exploration and production, or a related field such as health, safety and environment with great presentation skills? Nominate that person to be an SPE Distinguished Lecturer for the 2012-2013 lecture season. The season extends from September 2012 through May 2013.
Nominations are due by 30 June 2011. Any nominations received after 30 June will be included in the following year’s solicitation. Nominations will be reviewed in July 2011 and the final selection will be made in September/October 2011. For more information, go to the SPE Distinguished Lecturer Application Form
Nominations are due by 30 June 2011. Any nominations received after 30 June will be included in the following year’s solicitation. Nominations will be reviewed in July 2011 and the final selection will be made in September/October 2011. For more information, go to the SPE Distinguished Lecturer Application Form
SPE Pittsburgh Officers for 2010-11
Nearly all SPE Pittsburgh officers have returned for the 2010-11 program year, which officially begins Sept 1.
And we welcome three new members with new roles, as we work to enhance and expand the Section activities.
Chair: Kirby Walker, Schlumberger
Treasurer: Jason Archuleta, Talisman Energy
Secretary & Communication Coord: Donna Marcotte, Donna Marcotte Consulting
Program Coord: Brendan Burke, Talisman Energy
Membership Coord: Mark Mulkern, EQT
Scholarship Coord: John Yilin Wang, Penn State
YPP Coord: Eric Luckey, BJ Services
New Roles, New Officers--Welcome!
Student Outreach Coord: Melissa Ramirez, EXCO Resources
Student Event Coord: Bill Thomas, Centric Performance LLC
Special Event Coord: Jeremy Garand, Schlumberger
Board of Directors
Bob Garland, Universal Wells
Mike Kovarik, EQT
Ray Frear, Range Resources
Chuck Boyer, Schlumberger
Nearly all SPE Pittsburgh officers have returned for the 2010-11 program year, which officially begins Sept 1.
And we welcome three new members with new roles, as we work to enhance and expand the Section activities.
Chair: Kirby Walker, Schlumberger
Treasurer: Jason Archuleta, Talisman Energy
Secretary & Communication Coord: Donna Marcotte, Donna Marcotte Consulting
Program Coord: Brendan Burke, Talisman Energy
Membership Coord: Mark Mulkern, EQT
Scholarship Coord: John Yilin Wang, Penn State
YPP Coord: Eric Luckey, BJ Services
New Roles, New Officers--Welcome!
Student Outreach Coord: Melissa Ramirez, EXCO Resources
Student Event Coord: Bill Thomas, Centric Performance LLC
Special Event Coord: Jeremy Garand, Schlumberger
Board of Directors
Bob Garland, Universal Wells
Mike Kovarik, EQT
Ray Frear, Range Resources
Chuck Boyer, Schlumberger
SPE Booth Draws Large Crowds at Engineers Week 2010 Event
While no one in the section can remember exactly how long the Pittsburgh Petroleum Section has been participating in the Engineers Week event at the Carnegie Science Center, one senior member says it’s as long as he’s been involved, so at least 10 years.
Based on crowds of children and adults at the SPE booth during the two-day event, 2010 was a very exciting year. With the success of operations in the Marcellus Shale, many people are now more familiar with the industry and our work in Pennsylvania.
Initial plans for the booth included some video monitors and an Internet-based online directional drilling game. Unfortunately, several big outdoors shows in the region required the video monitors, and no Internet access in the Science Center prevented use of the directional drilling game.
But hey we’re engineers, right? We can improvise.
Hands-on Activities and People Skills Draw in the Kids
Actually, it wasn’t complete improvisation, but relying on some low-tech, hands-on activities and some good old fashioned people skills.
The “stars” of our booth were clearly the four Penn State students who made the trip from the Happy Valley to Pittsburgh as the young people of our industry reaching out to the next generation of students and introducing them to the exciting world of petroleum engineering.
Roy Borkhoche (SPE Penn State Chapter President), Greg Braden , Pat Crump, and Matt Dugan, all Penn State petroleum engineering seniors (and all with waiting jobs after graduation) and SPE student members, were each knowledgeable and personable as they engaged kids of all ages and the many adults who stopped by the booth.
Based on crowds of children and adults at the SPE booth during the two-day event, 2010 was a very exciting year. With the success of operations in the Marcellus Shale, many people are now more familiar with the industry and our work in Pennsylvania.
Initial plans for the booth included some video monitors and an Internet-based online directional drilling game. Unfortunately, several big outdoors shows in the region required the video monitors, and no Internet access in the Science Center prevented use of the directional drilling game.
But hey we’re engineers, right? We can improvise.
Hands-on Activities and People Skills Draw in the Kids
Actually, it wasn’t complete improvisation, but relying on some low-tech, hands-on activities and some good old fashioned people skills.
The “stars” of our booth were clearly the four Penn State students who made the trip from the Happy Valley to Pittsburgh as the young people of our industry reaching out to the next generation of students and introducing them to the exciting world of petroleum engineering.
Roy Borkhoche (SPE Penn State Chapter President), Greg Braden , Pat Crump, and Matt Dugan, all Penn State petroleum engineering seniors (and all with waiting jobs after graduation) and SPE student members, were each knowledgeable and personable as they engaged kids of all ages and the many adults who stopped by the booth.
Leagha Courtney (Range), with Roy Borkhoche, Pat Crump, Greg Braden, and Matt Dugan, all Penn State seniors.
The guys had developed a basic reservoir model made up of various sizes of rocks layered in a clear, plastic container to demonstrate the stratification of the earth and to show how fluid moves through the layers. For cleanliness and simplicity, they ran water through the jug and it came out of a spigot at the bottom and was caught it a small bucket. Children automatically walked up and opened the spigot. It was funny to watch mom’s scolding their kids to “not touch” and then we told them that opening the spigot was perfectly fine and really the point of the exhibit.
Our Penn State students also brought multi-colored sand and small clear plastic containers so that visiting kids could build their own miniature earth models. This activity was a huge hit with the smallest of kids right up through the teenagers.
Range Resources provided some glow stick give-aways, which when “snapped” gave off a fluorescent light. Kids of all ages were crazy about the glow sticks. But Our Penn State Students decided to make the booth visitors work for the prize, using the true/false card deck from SPE’s “Energy 4 Me” kit to quiz visitors on their petroleum industry knowledge. Of course, right or wrong, everyone who answered a question got a prize.
Range Resources also provided sample Marcellus shale taken from an outcrop in New York. With safety glasses, hard hat, and proper adult supervision, several children used a hammer to break the rock (wrapped in fabric for additional safety) and smell the hydrocarbon being released from the fractured rock. Small pieces of the shale were also given away.
Our Penn State students also brought multi-colored sand and small clear plastic containers so that visiting kids could build their own miniature earth models. This activity was a huge hit with the smallest of kids right up through the teenagers.
Range Resources provided some glow stick give-aways, which when “snapped” gave off a fluorescent light. Kids of all ages were crazy about the glow sticks. But Our Penn State Students decided to make the booth visitors work for the prize, using the true/false card deck from SPE’s “Energy 4 Me” kit to quiz visitors on their petroleum industry knowledge. Of course, right or wrong, everyone who answered a question got a prize.
Range Resources also provided sample Marcellus shale taken from an outcrop in New York. With safety glasses, hard hat, and proper adult supervision, several children used a hammer to break the rock (wrapped in fabric for additional safety) and smell the hydrocarbon being released from the fractured rock. Small pieces of the shale were also given away.
Penn State senior and SPE member Matt Dugan helps an area student break up pieces of Marcellus shale.
Adults Interested Too
The booth also served as an opportunity to answer adults’ questions. Many people had heard of the Marcellus Shale and some had even been contacted by industry companies. But many people admitted that they didn’t really know what the Marcellus Shale was nor why it was significant. Our booth volunteers explained what an important energy resource the Marcellus is, especially because of its size and proximity to Northeast markets, and how its development means good-paying jobs and revenue for Pennsylvania.
In addition to our Penn State Students and Dr. John Yilin Wang, Penn State professor and SPE student liaison, thanks to the following Pittsburgh Petroleum Section members and companies for their planning and contributions to making this event such a success: Kirby Walker and Bob Wolfsberger from Schlumberger; Leagha Courtney, Brian Surles and Mike Forgione from Range Resources; Scott Geiser from Marathon; Marty Comini from Superior Well Services; Donna Marcotte; Melissa Ramirez from EXCO Resources, and Patrick Mbaba from CNX.
If anyone who helped with this event was not mentioned here, please email Donna Marcotte and updates to this story will be made.
The booth also served as an opportunity to answer adults’ questions. Many people had heard of the Marcellus Shale and some had even been contacted by industry companies. But many people admitted that they didn’t really know what the Marcellus Shale was nor why it was significant. Our booth volunteers explained what an important energy resource the Marcellus is, especially because of its size and proximity to Northeast markets, and how its development means good-paying jobs and revenue for Pennsylvania.
In addition to our Penn State Students and Dr. John Yilin Wang, Penn State professor and SPE student liaison, thanks to the following Pittsburgh Petroleum Section members and companies for their planning and contributions to making this event such a success: Kirby Walker and Bob Wolfsberger from Schlumberger; Leagha Courtney, Brian Surles and Mike Forgione from Range Resources; Scott Geiser from Marathon; Marty Comini from Superior Well Services; Donna Marcotte; Melissa Ramirez from EXCO Resources, and Patrick Mbaba from CNX.
If anyone who helped with this event was not mentioned here, please email Donna Marcotte and updates to this story will be made.
If you can't make a meeting, please notify us
When people register for a meeting, then don't show up nor cancel, our SPE Section must pay the restuarant for that meal.
Needless to say, "no shows" cost the section a lot of money.
If afer you've registered for a meeting and something comes up and you cannot attend, please do one of the following:
* Send someone in your place. If one of your colleagues--who was not previously registered for the meeting--comes to the meeting and
says that he/she is taking your place, you will not be billed.
* Call Us. Each meeting notice has a contact person name and phone number. If you call that person by the morning of
the meeting, we can usually make head count adjustments with the restaurant.
We appreciate your help in this matter. It will help keep costs reasonable for all and allow us to maximize value from our SPE funds.
To help contain costs for everyone, the section has begun invoicing "no shows." We appreciate your cooperation.
When people register for a meeting, then don't show up nor cancel, our SPE Section must pay the restuarant for that meal.
Needless to say, "no shows" cost the section a lot of money.
If afer you've registered for a meeting and something comes up and you cannot attend, please do one of the following:
* Send someone in your place. If one of your colleagues--who was not previously registered for the meeting--comes to the meeting and
says that he/she is taking your place, you will not be billed.
* Call Us. Each meeting notice has a contact person name and phone number. If you call that person by the morning of
the meeting, we can usually make head count adjustments with the restaurant.
We appreciate your help in this matter. It will help keep costs reasonable for all and allow us to maximize value from our SPE funds.
To help contain costs for everyone, the section has begun invoicing "no shows." We appreciate your cooperation.
Value for Your Membership—the SPE Insurance Program
As part of its membership benefits, the Society of Petroleum Engineers is pleased to sponsor the SPE Insurance Program. The Program is made up of insurance plans that have been specifically designed with the needs of members in mind. One of the major advantages of these Plans is their portability, for insured members may keep their coverage regardless of whether they are employed, work as independents, or are between jobs.
Plans in the Program include a variety of health, term life, disability, dental, long term care, and supplemental plans. A recent addition to the Program is personal lines coverage which includes auto, homeowner, and umbrella liability insurance
The Program is overseen by the Committee on Group Insurance which takes its responsibility to the members very seriously. Member W. Burt Nelson represents SPE on this Committee and currently serves as its Chairman.
More information about the SPE Insurance Program, including the Plan descriptions, rates, and applications, may be found on the Program’s website at www.speinsurance.com, by e-mail or by phone at 800-337-3140.
As part of its membership benefits, the Society of Petroleum Engineers is pleased to sponsor the SPE Insurance Program. The Program is made up of insurance plans that have been specifically designed with the needs of members in mind. One of the major advantages of these Plans is their portability, for insured members may keep their coverage regardless of whether they are employed, work as independents, or are between jobs.
Plans in the Program include a variety of health, term life, disability, dental, long term care, and supplemental plans. A recent addition to the Program is personal lines coverage which includes auto, homeowner, and umbrella liability insurance
The Program is overseen by the Committee on Group Insurance which takes its responsibility to the members very seriously. Member W. Burt Nelson represents SPE on this Committee and currently serves as its Chairman.
More information about the SPE Insurance Program, including the Plan descriptions, rates, and applications, may be found on the Program’s website at www.speinsurance.com, by e-mail or by phone at 800-337-3140.
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