SPE YP Lunch & Learn: May 2026
2026-05-21 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Ovintiv, 40th floor, 370 17th St, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Description

1. Title:
Reviewing proppant and its interaction with hydraulic fracturing fluids.

2. Objective:
An evaluation of the use of locally sourced proppant and the potential for negative impacts with chemistries present in frac fluid.

3. Results, Observations, Conclusions:
Fluids used in hydraulic fracturing of unconventional resources often contain a complex mixture of chemistries providing a variety of functions including friction reduction, mineral scale inhibition, microbial control, surfactants, etc. These chemical additives are often chosen after stringent performance and compatibility testing in the laboratory.
Alternately, proppant is traditionally selected based on its physical properties and function or more commonly in the current environment simply based on cost and regional availability. Proppant is conventionally viewed only as a material, but this fails to address its compatibility with the complex mixture of chemical additives present in fracturing fluids. Cost saving measures in proppant extraction and processing, such as eliminating the final drying step, can leave behind unforeseen or undesired residual chemicals. This issue highlights the need for more comprehensive testing
Herein we explore the effects of using locally sourced proppant, the impact of the wet vs dry proppant on frac chemicals and demonstrate that traditional laboratory testing of water and FR via friction flow loop and rheology does not adequately evaluate the behavior of the product in the presence of these proppants. These negative behaviors may include swelling and/or coagulation of the proppant in the presence of water as well as co-precipitation with other chemicals present in the frac fluid. In field studies this behavior has resulted in increases treating pressure during the frac. Additionally, we review different techniques used by Select Chemistry to counter the negative impacts to improve or restore performance on the pad.

Register Here

Rocky Mountain Oilfield Pickleball Showdown: Spring 2026
2026-05-14 16:00 - 20:00 | 3rd Shot Pickleball, 3545 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO, CO, 80033, United States
Description

Get ready to Pickle! On Thursday, May 14th, the highly anticipated ‘Oilfield Pickleball Showdown’ returns! The two-bracket format by SPE & AADE welcomes fun & competitive players. For the first time, 3rd Shot is throwing in prizes for the winners! 🏓

Past winners seek redemption and a return to the throne as newcomers battle for the podium. Sip on tasty drinks, unleash your inner pickleball rockstar, and compete to crown the oilfield’s fiercest picklers! Kick things off with electrifying pool play—top 2 teams from each 4-team pool storm the winners’ bracket to battle for glory, while the bottom 2 duke it out for a shot the consolation trophy. 🏆

Prizes await the top 3 teams (2 in winners’ bracket & winner of the loser’s bracket), so bring your A-game or your play for fun! Teams are standard doubles No gear? No problem! We’ve got paddles and pickleballs for all registered players. Let’s make this tournament a total SMASH! 🌕

We have a 20-team limit, so grab your spot and join the ultimate showdown at 3rd Shot Pickleball from 4pm-8pm. 🎉

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: May 2026
2026-05-13 11:30 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Description

Host: Society of Petroleum Engineers, Denver Section
Event: May 2026 General Meeting
Time: Wednesday May 13th 11:30 am – 1 pm
Location: Rock Bottom Brewery (Mile High Pool Bar Room) 1001 16th St Mall Unit A-100,
Denver, CO 80265
Sponsor: Darkvision
General Meeting Category: Completions
Speaker: Adam McQueen, Sales Engineer, Darkvision
Title: From Perforations to Pads: A Holistic Approach to Frac Optimization

Abstract:
DarkVision has now imaged over half a million perforations across hundreds of operators
worldwide. What began as individual well diagnostics has grown into an aggregate dataset that
reveals how the industry executes completions at scale — and what gets missed when wells are
analyzed in isolation.
This presentation shares findings at two levels. At the well level, six operational KPIs — cluster
and plug depth control, phase orientation accuracy, perforated collar rates, plug performance,
and shot size variability — show how significantly performance varies from crew to crew and
operator to operator, and where the gap between design intent and downhole reality is costing
the most. At the pad level, integrating intra- and post-frac data across multi-well programs
exposes inter-well interactions and formation-driven variability that never appear in single-well
reports. A six-well case study from Reagan County, Texas brings both threads together.

Bio:
Adam McQueen grew up in the oil industry, spending his childhood mostly in Houston and
Scotland. With a chemical engineering degree from Georgia Tech, he spent nearly 15 years in
the pressure pumping world, working nearly every unconventional basin in the lower 48. After
spending over three years as an engineer for DynaEnergetics and Advanced Upstream, he
joined DarkVision in early 2024.
Adam brings his unique fracturing, perforating, and completion sleeve expertise to the world’s
most advanced downhole imaging and measurement technology. He works directly with
operators to turn high-resolution downhole data into actionable completion and well integrity
decisions. He is based in Denver, Colorado with his wife and two kids. In his free time, he loves
to travel and his been to over 55 countries

Register Here

SPE Denver Business Development Happy Hour: May 2026
2026-05-07 16:00 - 19:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
About the Session

Join us for our section’s second 2026 Business Development Happy Hour, featuring a panel discussion moderated by Zack Warren on “Asset-Backed Securities for E&P Financing: Fad, or the Future?”. Industry leaders Mitch Ayer, Brian Lanier, Anthony Odem, and Hendrick Schroeder will share insights on the recent explosion in the use of Asset-Backed Securities for E&P financing. Several billion dollars have been raised using this method in the last couple of years, upending the market for O&G assets. Each of our panelists has been involved in multiple of these transactions. Following up on the successful panel we held in March, come for an honest discussion of the impact of the ABS market and what to look forward to in the future.

Register Here

2026 Volunteering Information Session
2026-05-05 07:30 - 08:30 | Denver Earth Resources Library, 730 17th Street Suite B1, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Description

Join us for breakfast and learn more about what it means to be a volunteer! Breakfast burritos will be served!

Reach out to Lilli Peters lillipeters97@gmail.com for more information!

Register Here

SPE Technical Happy Hour: April 2026
2026-04-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Description

Host: Society of Petroleum Engineers, Denver Section
Event: April 2026 Technical Happy Hour
Time: April 23, 4-6pm (HH begins at 4, Talk at 430, more Social until 6)
Location: Liberty Energy, 950 17th St, Suite 2400, Denver, CO 80202
Sponsor: Novi Labs
Study Group Category: Data Analytics
Speaker: Brett Sinclair, Research Director, Novi Labs
Title: Meeting the Moment: Using Machine Learning to Assess How the Marcellus and Haynesville will
Supply Rising Gas Demand

Abstract:
One of the key challenges we face when trying to analyze scenarios that rely on forecasting the
production from future wells, is how granular we get in forecasting those wells. Traditionally,
operators or analysts looking at very specific asset packages will have highly fine-tuned Type
Curve Areas to hand-select analogous wells, creating type curves by bench, by area, by
parent/child designation, and many more cuts of the data. When doing higher-level analysis –
how much will a basin produce over time – analysts might use high-level averages of production
per well or per rig (or frac crew) across an entire region or basin.
At Novi, we train machine learning models across dozens of features that include subsurface
geotechnical attributes, wellbore and completion design, well spacing, and how much prior
depletion a future well would experience based on its drainage radius and the amount of
resource extracted thus far.
This provides individual well-level production forecasts custom to each potential location that
can be used for extremely focused analysis or high-level macro analysis and everything in
between. It also gets rid of the machine learning “black box” and explains the variation from
average in a well’s predicted performance due to different geological, spacing, completion, or
depletion features.
In this presentation, we will utilize Novi’s proprietary machine learning-derived inventory
forecasts to analyze how the Marcellus and the Haynesville are each positioned to supply the
increased natural gas demand coming from power generation (largely from data centers) and
LNG export terminals. How much inventory is left, and what is the quality of that inventory?
Which companies are best positioned, not only in the near term but for the foreseeable future?
How have activity levels responded to structural shifts in demand?
We will attempt to show that we don’t have to sacrifice well-level forecast accuracy for scale,
and that a machine learning approach also improves individual forecast accuracy while at the
same time saving time, providing the analyst more scope to analyze the forecast’s impact
instead of in its derivation.

Bio:
Brett Sinclair is a Research Director at Novi Labs, where he focuses on applying the outputs of
Novi’s data and machine learning analytics platform to US upstream oil and gas research.
Prior to Novi, Brett spent 10 years at Kimmeridge Energy in the Investment and Operations
teams. At Kimmeridge, Brett and his team conducted analysis and research from technical,
operational, and investment perspectives, to understand the energy landscape, to develop and
explore investment theses, to underwrite deals, and to directly manage portfolio assets.
Prior to Kimmeridge, Brett worked as a Directional Driller for Baker Hughes, drilling horizontals
in the US Lower 48, the Alaskan North Slope, and Saudi Arabia.
Brett has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA, both from the University
of Oklahoma.

Speaker Photo:

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting April 2026
2026-04-15 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
A View of the Private US Oil and Gas Market and Potential Implications for L48 Exploration
1. The private US oil and gas market is currently adequately capitalized but opportunity poor
1. 25+ funded private equity-backed teams focused on capturing scaled US onshore asset
2. Target asset profile: meaningful PDP/cashflow + remaining development drilling (inside of well control)
3. US onshore asset divestiture market opportunity set currently insufficient to satisfy private capital demand
2. What are the implications?
1. Many funded teams will not be successful in capturing asset in time allowed
2. To capture assets, teams and private capital providers must either accept lower return (i.e. stretch on underwriting) and/or take more risk
3. Private capital providers can take more risk in the following ways
i. Financial risk – take on more acquisition leverage. Capital providers already doing this.
ii. Location/regime risk – target PDP + development assets in non-US L48 locations/regimes (e.g. Alaska, Canada, Argentina, GOA). Capital providers evaluating this.
iii. Geologic risk – step outside of well control to find more oil / take “exploration” risk . Capital providers evaluating this.
3. Conclusion
1. At this point it is not yet clear to what extent (or when) private capital will pivot to take exploration risk in L48
2. A changing commodity price regime could provide the catalyst to take more risk and find more oil
3. Long term $60 WTI strip (as of mid-October) may be insufficient to cause oil supply growth to meet demand if believe US unconventional represents the marginal bbl
Matt Loreman BIO
Matt has 20 years of experience in energy industry. Matt is currently President of Development Capital Resources (DCR), a firm with over $500 million in oil and gas investments. In addition to DCR, he simultaneously served as President of ECR, a company with $800 million in electric generation and gas processing investments. Previously, Matt served as a Managing Director in Evercore’s Energy Investment Banking group in Houston. While at Evercore, Matt focused on the upstream space and executed a variety of merger, acquisition, divestiture, capital raising and restructuring transactions. Prior to joining Evercore, Matt worked in the Energy Investment Banking group of J.P. Morgan in Houston. Matt advised invested and advised clients on transactions in a variety of plays and basins including: Delaware Basin, Midland Basin, STACK/SCOOP, Eagle Ford, Bakken, DJ Basin, Marcellus/Utica, Barnett, California, Rockies Gas, Haynesville, GOM and International Offshore. Mr. Loreman has served on the board of directors of 3 privately-held energy companies. Matt holds a B.A. in Economics, English and Philosophy from Rice University.

Register Here

SOCIAL BLEND with Social Octane
2026-04-02 16:00 - 19:00
Thursday April 2, 2026 4-7pm
Wynkoop Brewing Co.
1634 18th Street, Denver CO
Register Here

SPE Denver/AADE March Madness Happy Hour 2026
2026-03-19 16:30 - 18:00 | Rhein Haus – Denver, 1415 Market St, Denver, 80202, United States
TBD

Register Here

SPE YP Lunch & Learn: March 2026
2026-03-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Denver Earth Resources Library, 730 17th Street Suite B1, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Title: Introduction to Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage.
Author: Lilli Peters, Project Manager CCUS, CARBONVERT

Register Here

Location: Denver Earth Resources Library

SPE Technical Happy Hour: March 2026
2026-03-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Description

Sponsor: Liberty Energy
Study Group Category: Drilling
Speaker: Marc Willerth, Technology Development Manager, Helmerich & Payne
Title: Getting the Most From Your Last Mile
Abstract:

In recent years, the pace and complexity of North American drilling has been rapidly
accelerating. Four-mile step-outs and 180-degree U-turns are quickly becoming the “new
normal”, along with the expectation of delivering drilling speeds of 7000ft/day or more. Lurking
in the background is the influence of the strongest magnetic storms in over 2 decades
disturbing the survey tools that are used to steer these wells.
This presentation looks at some of the growing challenges with wellbore placement for novel
well designs such as how lateral spacing uncertainty grows when typical drilling and surveying
practices are applied to extremely long laterals or horseshoe wells, and how pace of drilling can
exacerbate the potential impact of magnetic storms. The relative value of enhanced positional
accuracy is considered, estimating the increasing lost potential production from each lateral
mile due to the uncertainty in wellbore placement. It will also discuss how spacing uncertainty
trends differ when drilling U-turn wells compared to traditional in-fill drilling campaigns, along
with a discussion of how to properly manage anti-collision for U-turn wells.
Bio:

Marc is a Technology Development Manager at Helmerich & Payne, overseeing a research team
working on wellbore positioning, drilling simulation, condition-based maintenance, and
integrated drilling-geology solutions. He joined H&P in 2017 as part of the MagVAR acquisition
and prior to that has worked for Scientific Drilling and SLB. He has co-authored over 25
publications in OnePetro and several patents primarily in the drilling, geology, and wellbore
placement spaces. Marc is an active member of SPE, currently serving on the JPT editorial
review board as well as being the Error Model chair for the SPE Wellbore Positioning Technical
Section (also known as the ISCWSA). He holds a bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Chemical

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: March 2026
2026-03-11 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Title: Formation-Informed Performance: Closing the Loop Between Geology, Drilling, and Completions.
Author: Erin Britton, Drilling Solutions Engineering Team Lead, CORVA
Session Overview:
As unconventional development programs mature, optimizing well performance requires tighter integration between geoscience, drilling, and completions teams. Yet zone placement decisions often overlook formation-level variability that directly impacts ROP, MSE, vibration, and overall drilling efficiency. Bridging this gap demands a unified view of subsurface context and real-time performance data.
This presentation introduces a unified geosteering, drilling, and completions solution designed to provide a single source of truth across disciplines. Geo Insights enables teams to identify the optimal “sweet spot” within the drilling window by pairing stratigraphic context with real-time KPIs such as ROP, MSE, vibration, and effective in-zone footage. Teams can remove structural bias, reveal true drilling equivalency, and benchmark performance with confidence. Synchronized views create a collaborative workspace that standardizes best practices and improves cross-functional decision making.
A Canadian operator case study will highlight how integrating geoscience insights directly into drilling workflows accelerated curve-to-lateral execution by approximately 2.75 days versus offsets, delivered ~$300,000 in savings per well, stabilized ROP, reduced MSE, and improved zone placement consistency. By closing the loop with completions data to identify stratigraphic intervals linked to troublesome stages and NPT, Geo Insights enables faster lessons learned and improved reliability across the development program. Attendees will gain practical insight into how integrated geoscience and analytics can drive measurable performance gains and cost savings in modern drilling operations.
Bio:
Erin Britton is the Drilling Solutions Engineering Team Lead and Geoscience SME at Corva, she is based in Denver, Colorado. With a 16-year career spanning drilling engineering, asset management, operations leadership, and consulting, Erin has focused on integrating formation understanding with real-time performance data to reduce NPT, improve zone placement, and standardize best practices across development programs. Prior to Corva, Erin held engineering and leadership roles at Anschutz Exploration Corporation, Sundance Energy, Liberty Resources, Unit, and Ovintiv (Encana)- including Director of Engineering & Operations and Senior Staff Drilling Engineer positions supporting large-scale development and optimization initiatives. Erin earned a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s in Business & Energy from the University of Tulsa.

Register Here

SPE Denver Business Development Happy Hour: February 2026
2026-02-25 16:00 - 19:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Title: Successful Exits for Denver E&P’s

Speakers: Panel with Zack Warren Moderating
Andrew Haney – President at Nickel Road Operating
Blake Pickett – General Counsel, Vice President at Franklin Mountain Energy
Paul Weddle – CEO at Tap Rock Resources

About the Session:
Join us for our section’s 2026 Business Development Technical Happy Hour, featuring a panel
discussion moderated by Zack Warren on Successful Exits for Denver E&P’s. Industry leaders
Andrew Haney, Blake Pickett, and Paul Weddle will share insights on navigating transitions and
exits, including the challenges, strategies, and lessons learned from scaling companies, timing
an exit, and managing technical and financial considerations.

Register Here

SPE Denver 46th Annual Racquetball Tournament
2026-02-20 12:30 - 16:00 | Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO, 80204
Join us for our 46th Annual Racquetball tournament at Denver Athletic club. Come for a fun afternoon of competition and socializing with fellow oil and gas industry professionals. All levels of play are welcome! Typically, there will be four different skill divisions from novice to A/B.

-Registration starts at $45 for members
-Student Registration is $25
Sponsorship Levels:
Platinum – $600
Gold – $450
Silver – $350

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: February 2026
2026-02-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Abstract:

Operators developing Tier 3 acreage in the Williston Basin often face thin reservoirs, high water cut, H₂S generation, and low returns. This case study highlights a two- well pad in the Middle Bakken and Three Fork intervals where a tailored completions design was applied to control fracture height growth, enhance fracture complexity, and mitigate H₂S risk. Results showed higher oil production, reduced water cut, and elimination of H₂S compared to analog offsets, delivering a step-change in well economics. The learnings provide a framework for unlocking value in Tier 3 rock across the basin.

Bio:

Tien Do is the founder of InDZone Consulting and a completions optimization expert known for solving complex industry challenges—from fracture-driven interactions and casing deformation to H₂S prevention and Tier 2/3 development.
Raised in a remote Vietnamese village without electricity, Tien’s journey from humble beginnings to industry leader reflects her lifelong mission: delivering energy that is safe, efficient, and sustainable. After earning her Mechanical Engineering degree Summa Cum Laude, she built a successful career at Schlumberger, Whiting Petroleum, and Nine Band Operating before launching InDZone in 2022—while pregnant with her third child.
In just three years, InDZone has become a trusted partner to over 20 operators across North America, delivering innovative solutions that improve well economics and operational safety. Tien also serves on the Board of the Women in Oil & Gas Association (WOGA), SPE Completions
Membership & Engagement Task Force, and mentors’ future industry leaders.

Register Here

SPE Technical Happy Hour: January 2026
2026-01-27 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Host: Society of Petroleum Engineers, Denver Section
Event: January 2026 Technical Happy Hour
Time: January 27th, 4-6 (HH begins at 4, Talk at 430, Social until 6)
Location: Liberty Energy, 950 17th St, Suite 2400, Denver, CO 80202
Sponsor: Liberty Energy
Study Group Category: Completions
Speaker: Dr. Ge Jin, Associate Professor, Colorado School of Mines

Title: Abnormal Fracture Propagation during Hydraulic Fracturing Captured by Cross-well Strain Sensing
Measurements

Abstract:
Fiber-optic cross-well strain measurements have proven to be a powerful tool for optimizing hydraulic
fracturing operations, including well spacing and completion designs. As more field data have been
collected, abnormal fracture propagation behaviors have emerged in several case studies from
geologically complex areas. In this presentation, I’ll showcase field measurements that reveal abnormal
strain patterns associated with natural fracture stimulation, fault reactivation, and large-scale bedding
plane slippage. These case studies demonstrate the power of cross-well strain measurements to
characterize abnormal fracture behavior while highlighting how geology impacts stimulation results and
efficiency.

Bio:
Dr. Ge Jin is an Associate Professor of Geophysics and Co-director of Reservoir Characterization Project
at Colorado School of Mines. His research interests focus on applications of Distributed Fiber-Optic
Sensing (DFOS) in geoscience and engineering, as well as seismic imaging and machine learning
techniques. He received the ARMA Case Study Award in 2025, delivered the AAPG/SEG Distinguished
Lecture in 2024, received the Best Paper award at the URTeC conference in 2023 and 2024. Before
joining Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Jin worked for five years as a research geophysicist at
ConocoPhillips. Dr. Jin earned his Ph.D. in Geophysics from Columbia University and holds dual B.S.
degrees in Geophysics and Computer Science from Peking University.

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: January 2026
2026-01-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Event description

Abstract:

The fracturing fluids not only plays a pivotal role in near-wellbore stimulation, influencing
proppant transport, and cluster efficiency, but is critical to minimizing formation damage and
maximizing oil recovery. While friction reduction has traditionally guided fluid selection, this
study shifts the focus toward subsurface performance metrics that directly impact hydrocarbon
recovery. Ovintiv tested over fifteen friction reducer (FR) products in both fresh and produced
water using a comprehensive methodology, including flow loop, regain conductivity,
spontaneous imbibition, and emulsion tests, with actual core samples with the main focus on
recovery and fluid compatibility.
The results highlight the importance of selecting fracture fluids based on their overall impact on
formation integrity and hydrocarbon mobilization for EOR, rather than solely on their surface
performance. The findings also underscore that not all HVFR products build viscosity effectively,
and that fluid viscosity significantly affects cluster formation and proppant distribution. A shift
in fracture fluid selection criteria is necessary to optimize long-term well productivity by
balancing friction reduction with cluster efficiency, proppant transport, formation compatibility
and oil recovery efficiency.

Bio:

Manuel Diaz is a Senior Completions Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the oil and
gas industry, including the last 11 years at Ovintiv. Specializing in hydraulic fracturing and well
completions, Manuel has led innovative projects across the TMS, Permian, and the Anadarko
basins, consistently delivering operational excellence and capital efficiency. He is recognized for
his rigorous approach to frac design, advancing cluster efficiency, driven innovations in frac fluid
selection, and implementing cutting-edge diagnostics and technologies to enhance well
performance and recovery. Manuel’s leadership in multi-well pad operations, frac monitoring,
and collaborative knowledge sharing has set new benchmarks in safety, cycle time, and cost
reduction. His technical expertise and commitment to continuous improvement have made him
a trusted advisor on cross-disciplinary projects to enhance well productivity and capital
efficiency.

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: December 2025
2025-12-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Abstract:
Organic Oil Recovery is a tertiary oil recovery process that only stimulates certain resident
microbes that already exist in your reservoir to release residual, bypassed and trapped oil —
without chemicals, downhole modifications, topside changes, or capex. By feeding the microbes
a specific targeted nutrient blend, we activate a gene in the target microbial species to move
them from the water phase (hydrophilic) to the oil/water interface (hydrophobic) where they
reduce interfacial tension and release oil left behind by conventional methods. The process is
simple: batch treatments using ISO tanks and temporary pumping equipment.
Bio:
Zach Broussard is Product Line Manager, Americas, for Hunting, where he leads
commercialization of Organic Oil Recovery (OOR), a technology that utilizes indigenous
microbes to increase oil recovery. Prior to Hunting, Zach co-founded Gold H2 (now Eclipse
Energy) and served as CTO, advancing microbial pathways for in-situ hydrogen generation.
Before that, he held roles at ChampionX focused on mitigating microbiologically influenced
corrosion in upstream oilfield applications, bridging lab development with field
implementation. He has overseen multi-disciplinary teams across R&D, pilot design, and
reservoir diagnostics, integrating DNA sequencing, microbial ecology, and production analytics
with operator workflows.

Register Here

Denver Rescue Mission - December 2025
2025-12-16 06:45 - 08:30 | Denver Rescue Mission, 2222 Lawrence St, Denver, CO, 80205, United States
Good morning SPE volunteering team!

Our next monthly breakfast at the Rescue Mission will be December 16th, from 6:45am to 8:30am. This is a great way to meet new people within the industry, help the Denver community, and jump-start your Tuesday morning!
Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending.
If you have any questions or want some more details, please reach out to me by email or at 303-257-6091. For general info from the Rescue Mission, please see below.Main important number to have if you are parking in the gated lot is 303-297-5071. They will open the gate when you call.
A few instructions about volunteering:
Address: 2222 Lawrence Street, Denver CO 80205

Parking:

Preferred: We have a private gated parking lot for volunteers and staff. It is on the right side of Lawrence street, with a black metal fence and large sign marked, “Emergency Rally Point”. If there are open parking spots and the gate is closed for security, you may pull up to the gate, call 303-297-5071 and press 1 to have staff open the gate remotely. This lot has been expanded recently, so there are typically a number of open parking spots.Second option: There is a public pay lot across Lawrence Street where we have rented some spots for staff and volunteers to park for FREE, on a first come first served basis, with signs that are marked, “Denver Rescue Mission Staff Only”. If you park in the lot and don’t get a free spot, then please pay the posted price. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking.Third option: There is also street parking in the neighborhood (metered, 2-hour, etc.) and other public pay lots. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking or parking tickets.

Facility Entry:

Preferred: Walk through our gated lot, toward the back of the building, to the white sign marked “Volunteer Entrance”, and ring the bell for entry.Second option: Walk to the main entrance on Lawrence Street. Front desk staff will escort you through to the Volunteer Room.Check-in: Upon arrival to the Volunteer Room, please be sure to sign in at the kiosk tablet. If you are with a group, only one member needs to sign-in for the group. This is essential for us to highlight volunteer contribution and impact. After signing in, you will watch our safety video to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know for your volunteer shift.Dress Code: Please dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate for meal service and kitchen work. Please refrain from wearing opened toe shoes, tank-tops, midriff tops, short shorts, and any clothing that is: tight, low-cut, or has controversial imprints. If you are dressed inappropriately, you will be asked to reschedule. Do not wear dangly or loose jewelry, especially earrings or bracelets. Tip: If you wear a hat (and a pony tail for long hair), you will not be required to wear a hairnet.Minimum Age: This opportunity has a minimum age of 14 years old for safety reasons. Anyone under 18 needs an adult chaperone. Please do not bring family members or guests who are under 14.Incidents: Please report immediately to a staff member any injuries, inappropriate behavior, or anything that makes you uncomfortable. Please be aware that many of our guests and program participants come from difficult life situations.Please know that we appreciate your time and energy. Thank you for serving our community members who are experiencing homelessness.

SPE Denver Technical Happy Hour: December 2025
2025-12-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Abstract:

A key challenge faced in unconventional reservoir development is well
densities coupled with modern completion designs to economically optimize
resource development. Most data analytic applications use single well
production and completion data to explore optimized strategies. However,
the combination of different well densities and completion strategies
complicate single well analytics and thus could be improved upon by using
multi-well, normalized section-based data analytics. This approach can help
identify what changes can be made to the combination of wells per section
and completion metrics to optimize asset recovery or help confirm that
current strategies are working.
In most basins, the State Public Land Survey System (PLSS) sections are
the main grid used to define each section. In the Permian, the Texas Block
and Survey sections are used, whereas in the Eagle Ford, a custom grid
with 1-mile by 1-mile sections are used. Total lateral length within the
section, pumped proppant and fluid, and production volumes are rolled up
within each grid section and normalized by section area on a per-acre basis.
Examples in the paper mainly use three-year cumulative oil production and
simple three-year payout economics as performance metric. Processed
section level data is then visualized in both map views and cartesian plots,
to draw insights on section-level performance in specific areas and then
determine the best strategies to optimize asset recovery.
The key application of this approach is to draw insights relating to differing
development strategies in each area. Trends of fluid treatment job sizes as a
function of wells per section (WPS) can be inferred. Together, with trends of
section production as well as normalized well productivity on a per-foot
basis as a function of WPS, it is possible to assess which development
strategy might work best. The trends of section production versus WPS and
completion metrics are generally much better than for single-well analytics.
The examples show how optimum performance and development strategy
may change for different unconventional basins.
Section-based data analytics has proven to be an excellent complement to
well-based data analytics and physical models as it provides better data
correlations for the whole “development system” compared to single-well
analytics. This approach is largely automated and can be used in any basin
to gain insight into the section-level performance of a given well
development and completion strategy.

Bio:
Howard Melcher is a Subsurface Technical Advisor at Liberty Energy, where
he has been a member of Liberty’s technical team for 12 years, focusing on
data analytics, formation evaluation, and frac & reservoir modeling. Before
joining Liberty, he spent 6 years with U.S. Energy, a privately held E&P,
working primarily in the Appalachian Basin. He holds a Bachelor of Science in
Geology from the University at Buffalo and has completed graduate
coursework at Texas A&M.

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: November 2025
2025-11-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
General Meeting Category: Reservoir
Speaker: Reidar Bratvold, Professor Emeritus, University of Stavanger
Title: Persistent Bias in Probabilistic Production Forecasting and Simple Methods to Overcome It

Abstract:

The one key idea I would like the members to take away: Unbiased probabilistic production forecasts are a crucial component in making good investment decisions — but typical ways of producing them result in persistent, value-destroying biases. There are quick and easy ways to make accurate, unbiased forecasts.
Increased awareness of uncertainty, combined with increasingly sophisticated tools and models for quantifying it, is causing a shift from deterministic to probabilistic production forecasting. For these forecasts to lead to better investment decisions (e.g. assessing how much it’s worth paying to reduce uncertainty, or incorporating flexibility to manage it), they need to be an accurate (unbiased) representation of the uncertainty. However, our industry has a general history of overconfidence (ranges too narrow) and, more damaging for value-creation, optimism (consistent over-estimation).
A large dataset of historical probabilistic production forecasts was investigated for potential bias by comparing them with actual outcomes. They were found to be both optimistic and overconfident, bringing into question their usefulness for decision-making and the value of the sophisticated uncertainty modeling techniques that were used to generate them.
Fortunately, there are quick and easy methods for creating accurate probabilistic forecasts. We describe these and show that they would have produced accurate forecasts for our case study fields (they do not make use of knowing the actual outcomes!).
Finally, preliminary results from a similar analysis of renewables projects indicate that the same problems exist. This could significantly impact investment decisions and policy development in renewable projects by governments and companies.

Bio:

Reidar B. Bratvold is Professor (emeritus) of Decision & Data Analytics at the University of Stavanger, where he teaches and supervises graduate students in decision and data analytics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, project valuation, portfolio analysis, real-option valuation, and the behavioral challenges of decision-making. Before joining academia, Reidar spent 15 years in industry in various technical and leadership roles, including Vice President at Landmark Graphics Corporation (a Halliburton company) in Houston; Managing Director of Smedvig Technology Software Solutions (now Roxar); Senior Scientist with IBM; and Reservoir Engineer with Statoil. He began his career offshore as a roughneck and roustabout in the North Sea.
Reidar is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and delivers in-house short courses on decision-making and economic evaluation. He is one of only four individuals to have served as a Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Distinguished Lecturer four times:
• Uncertainty Assessment and Risk Management in Reservoir Optimization (1998–1999)
• Would You Know a Good Decision if You Saw One? (2003–2004)
• Creating Value from Uncertainty and Flexibility (2016–2017)
• Persistent Bias in Probabilistic Production Forecasting and Simple Methods to Overcome It
He has published extensively on topics such as decision-making, the value of information, the application of machine learning and AI to support decisions, Bayesian evidence learning, stochastic reservoir modeling, fuzzy logic, data assimilation, and reservoir management. He is co-author of the SPE book Making Good Decisions, commissioned by the SPE.
Reidar was the 2017 recipient of the SPE Management & Information Award, has served as Executive Editor for SPE Economics & Management, and in 2024 was selected as Energy Professional of the Year by the SPE Stavanger Chapter. He is a Fellow of both the Society of Decision Professionals and the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences, and a Founding Member of the Friends of SDP initiative.
He holds a PhD in engineering and an MSc in mathematics from Stanford University and has completed executive education in business and management science at INSEAD, MIT, and Stanford

Register Here

Denver Rescue Mission - November 2025
2025-11-18 06:45 - 08:30 | Denver Rescue Mission, 2222 Lawrence St, Denver, CO, 80205, United States
Good morning SPE volunteering team!

Our next monthly breakfast at the Rescue Mission will be November 18th, from 6:45am to 8:30am. This is a great way to meet new people within the industry, help the Denver community, and jump-start your Tuesday morning!
Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending.
If you have any questions or want some more details, please reach out to me by email or at 303-257-6091. For general info from the Rescue Mission, please see below.Main important number to have if you are parking in the gated lot is 303-297-5071. They will open the gate when you call.
A few instructions about volunteering:
Address: 2222 Lawrence Street, Denver CO 80205

Parking:

Preferred: We have a private gated parking lot for volunteers and staff. It is on the right side of Lawrence street, with a black metal fence and large sign marked, “Emergency Rally Point”. If there are open parking spots and the gate is closed for security, you may pull up to the gate, call 303-297-5071 and press 1 to have staff open the gate remotely. This lot has been expanded recently, so there are typically a number of open parking spots.Second option: There is a public pay lot across Lawrence Street where we have rented some spots for staff and volunteers to park for FREE, on a first come first served basis, with signs that are marked, “Denver Rescue Mission Staff Only”. If you park in the lot and don’t get a free spot, then please pay the posted price. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking.Third option: There is also street parking in the neighborhood (metered, 2-hour, etc.) and other public pay lots. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking or parking tickets.

Facility Entry:

Preferred: Walk through our gated lot, toward the back of the building, to the white sign marked “Volunteer Entrance”, and ring the bell for entry.Second option: Walk to the main entrance on Lawrence Street. Front desk staff will escort you through to the Volunteer Room.Check-in: Upon arrival to the Volunteer Room, please be sure to sign in at the kiosk tablet. If you are with a group, only one member needs to sign-in for the group. This is essential for us to highlight volunteer contribution and impact. After signing in, you will watch our safety video to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know for your volunteer shift.Dress Code: Please dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate for meal service and kitchen work. Please refrain from wearing opened toe shoes, tank-tops, midriff tops, short shorts, and any clothing that is: tight, low-cut, or has controversial imprints. If you are dressed inappropriately, you will be asked to reschedule. Do not wear dangly or loose jewelry, especially earrings or bracelets. Tip: If you wear a hat (and a pony tail for long hair), you will not be required to wear a hairnet.Minimum Age: This opportunity has a minimum age of 14 years old for safety reasons. Anyone under 18 needs an adult chaperone. Please do not bring family members or guests who are under 14.Incidents: Please report immediately to a staff member any injuries, inappropriate behavior, or anything that makes you uncomfortable. Please be aware that many of our guests and program participants come from difficult life situations.Please know that we appreciate your time and energy. Thank you for serving our community members who are experiencing homelessness.

Rocky Mountain Oilfield Pickleball Showdown
2025-11-14 15:00 - 19:00 | 3rd Shot Pickleball, 3545 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO, CO, 80033, United States
Event description

Get ready to swing, slam, and pickle like never before at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Pickleball Tournament, hitting the courts Friday, Nov 14th! 🏓
We’re at a 20 team limit, so grab your spot and join the ultimate showdown at 3rd Shot Pickleball from 3pm-7pm. Sip on tasty drinks, unleash your inner pickleball Rockstar, and compete to crown the oilfield’s fiercest picklers! Kick things off with electrifying pool play—top 2 teams from each 4-team pool storm the winners’ bracket to battle for glory, while the bottom 2 duke it out for a shot at 3rd place. 🏆
Prizes await the top 3 teams (2 in winners bracket & winner of the losers bracket), so bring your A-game or your play for fun! Doubles teams, show off your vibe with epic themes—costumes encouraged! No gear? No problem! We’ve got paddles and pickleballs for all registered players. Let’s make this tournament a total SMASH! 🎉
Register Here

SPE Denver Technical Happy Hour: Completions
2025-11-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Speaker: Madison Hollaway, Low Emissions And Sustainability Lead, Liberty Energy
Title: Evaluating the Transition to Natural Gas-Powered Equipment in Hydraulic Fracturing: Challenges, Benefits, and Feasibility Analysis.

Abstract:

The transition to natural gas as a primary fuel source in hydraulic fracturing
operations launched in 2013 with the introduction of dual fuel engines,
which use a blend of diesel and natural gas. This transition remains
ongoing, marked by two fundamentally different approaches to displacing
diesel with natural gas. Initially, dual fuel engines emerged as the
pioneering technology for substituting diesel with natural gas on hydraulic
fracturing jobs. These engines are still being used and improved upon
today. Subsequently, circa 2018, companies began developing and
deploying 100% natural gas-powered generation systems to drive
electrically powered hydraulic fracturing equipment.
Historically, gas powered generation has been found exclusively in
stationary applications. Adapting this technology to a mobile package for
hydraulic fracturing operations has been a formidable industry-wide
challenge. Unlike stationary setups, mobile deployment necessitates
considerations of weight, ambient outdoor conditions, and the reliability of
the natural gas supply. Prior to equipment construction, weight
optimization is imperative, as off-road mobile units are subject to state-
specific road weight restrictions. Compliance with axle, king pin, and total
weight limits is mandatory for roadworthiness. Moreover, the lack of control
over outdoor ambient conditions further complicates mobile deployment.
Unlike ambient conditions, natural gas supply is within control of the
operator, though it cannot be preemptively resolved like weight
considerations. Post-deployment, natural gas quality and supply often
emerge as predominant challenges, highlighting their significance in mobile
gas-powered generation for hydraulic fracturing operations.

The balance of transitioning to natural gas fueled engines, while the natural
gas infrastructure catches up, has been both delicate and complex. Diesel
has been used as a fuel source for over 70 years in the industry and thus
has firmly established a robust supply chain. In contrast, the Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG) supply chain is in the early stages of development and
has consistently served as a bottleneck for deploying natural gas
technologies. However, there is a prevailing belief that the inherent benefits
of natural gas will act as a catalyst for the evolution of the CNG supply
chain in the years to come.
Considering the ongoing challenges, it is imperative to evaluate the true
benefits of this transition. Assessing whether the opportunity cost
outweighs the hurdles encountered, both presently and in the foreseeable
future, is crucial. This paper aims to address this critical question by
leveraging empirical data collected during the initial stages of our
organization’s natural gas transition. Through a comprehensive analysis, we
examine the tangible advantages and potential drawbacks of embracing
natural gas technology, providing insights into the feasibility and
implications of this transition for the hydraulic fracturing industry. In this
analysis we will focus on Tier IV Dual Fuel engines, Gas Reciprocating
Generators which produce electricity to drive electric frac pumps, and Gas
Reciprocating Engines that mechanically drive the hydraulic pump. The
baseline for comparison is established using Tier II Diesel engines. Each
technology will be evaluated based on multiple criteria including emissions,
cost savings found in both fuel purchases and operating costs, and overall
operational considerations. Through a combination of Original Engine
Manufacturer (OEM) data and empirical data, this paper provides valuable
insights into the efficacy and feasibility of transitioning to natural gas-
burning equipment in the context of hydraulic fracturing operations.

Bio:

Madison Hollaway is the Low Emissions And Sustainability Lead at Liberty
Energy. Madison has held a variety of positions throughout her career in the
oil and gas industry, with experience spanning from engineering and project
management to research and development. Madison holds a Bachelor of
Engineering in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Register Here

SPE Young Professionals Halloween Happy Hour
2025-10-30 17:30 - 19:30 | Flight Club, 1606 Wewatta St, Denver, CO, United States
Join us for a spooktacular evening of networking, games, and Halloween fun at Flight Club! Hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers Young Professionals and proudly sponsored by SLB, this happy hour is the perfect chance to connect with fellow YPs in the energy industry while enjoying delicious bites, drinks, and some friendly competition at the dart boards.

🎯 What to Expect:

Complimentary drinks and appetizers
Social darts and interactive games
Costume contest with prizes
Great company and industry connections

Costumes are encouraged but not required—come as you are or come as your favorite spooky character!
Register Here

Denver Rescue Mission - October 2025
2025-10-21 06:45 - 08:30 | Denver Rescue Mission, 2222 Lawrence St, Denver, CO, 80205, United States
Good morning SPE volunteering team!

Our next monthly breakfast at the Rescue Mission will be October 21st, from 6:45am to 8:30am. This is a great way to meet new people within the industry, help the Denver community, and jump-start your Tuesday morning!
Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending.
If you have any questions or want some more details, please reach out to me by email or at 303-257-6091. For general info from the Rescue Mission, please see below.Main important number to have if you are parking in the gated lot is 303-297-5071. They will open the gate when you call.
A few instructions about volunteering:
Address: 2222 Lawrence Street, Denver CO 80205

Parking:

Preferred: We have a private gated parking lot for volunteers and staff. It is on the right side of Lawrence street, with a black metal fence and large sign marked, “Emergency Rally Point”. If there are open parking spots and the gate is closed for security, you may pull up to the gate, call 303-297-5071 and press 1 to have staff open the gate remotely. This lot has been expanded recently, so there are typically a number of open parking spots.Second option: There is a public pay lot across Lawrence Street where we have rented some spots for staff and volunteers to park for FREE, on a first come first served basis, with signs that are marked, “Denver Rescue Mission Staff Only”. If you park in the lot and don’t get a free spot, then please pay the posted price. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking.Third option: There is also street parking in the neighborhood (metered, 2-hour, etc.) and other public pay lots. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for parking or parking tickets.

Facility Entry:

Preferred: Walk through our gated lot, toward the back of the building, to the white sign marked “Volunteer Entrance”, and ring the bell for entry.Second option: Walk to the main entrance on Lawrence Street. Front desk staff will escort you through to the Volunteer Room.Check-in: Upon arrival to the Volunteer Room, please be sure to sign in at the kiosk tablet. If you are with a group, only one member needs to sign-in for the group. This is essential for us to highlight volunteer contribution and impact. After signing in, you will watch our safety video to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know for your volunteer shift.Dress Code: Please dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate for meal service and kitchen work. Please refrain from wearing opened toe shoes, tank-tops, midriff tops, short shorts, and any clothing that is: tight, low-cut, or has controversial imprints. If you are dressed inappropriately, you will be asked to reschedule. Do not wear dangly or loose jewelry, especially earrings or bracelets. Tip: If you wear a hat (and a pony tail for long hair), you will not be required to wear a hairnet.Minimum Age: This opportunity has a minimum age of 14 years old for safety reasons. Anyone under 18 needs an adult chaperone. Please do not bring family members or guests who are under 14.Incidents: Please report immediately to a staff member any injuries, inappropriate behavior, or anything that makes you uncomfortable. Please be aware that many of our guests and program participants come from difficult life situations.Please know that we appreciate your time and energy. Thank you for serving our community members who are experiencing homelessness.

SPE Denver Technical Happy Hour - October 2025
2025-10-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Liberty Energy, 950 17th St Suite #24, Denver, CO, 80202, United States
Host: Society of Petroleum Engineers, Denver SectionEvent: October 2025 Technical Happy HourTime: October 16th, 4-6 (HH begins at 4, Talk at 430, Social until 6)Location: Liberty Energy, 950 17th St, Suite 2400, Denver, CO 80202Sponsor: LibertyStudy Group Category: CompletionsSpeaker: Jessica Iriarte, General Completions Manager, Corva
Title: Enhancing Operational Awareness in Haynesville Operations with Advanced Stage-Categorization Models

Abstract:

This study presents an AI-driven approach to stage categorization for hydraulic
fracturing operations, addressing deviations from pumping designs that result in
increased costs, reduced efficiency, and operational unpredictability. The dataset
includes 1,595 stages, of which 970 exhibited at least one issue such as mid-stage
shutdowns, screen outs, and rate reductions. The objective is to improve
operational decision-making by automating stage categorization, distinguishing
between surface and subsurface issues, and lay the foundation for future
predictive machine learning models to anticipate trouble stages.

The stage categorization model evolved through eight iterations to refine detection
of operational issues and differentiate between surface- and subsurface-driven
problems. Version 1 implemented basic pressure slope algorithms, while Version 2
improved accuracy with steady-rate pressure checks. Version 3 expanded
diagnostic capabilities by incorporating proppant and chemical concentrations.
Version 4 adjusted the search for specific activities like pad for ball-seat stages,
flush, and pressure test. Version 5 introduced dynamic thresholds to account for
friction effects from varying casing sizes and stage measured depths. Version 6
optimized the overall model, removing factors that reduced Precision, resulting in
significantly improved performance. Version 7 improved Clean Sweep remediation
detection using stage activities, such as flushes, to determine the most accurate
period to scan. Screen outs were updated based on a sensitivity analysis around
the required pressure per minute reading. Finally, in Version 8 logic was added to
connect subsequent subsurface-related issues to one that occurred earlier in the
stage’s progression.

The finalized stage categorization model analyzes time-series data, including
pressure, rate, proppant and chemical concentration, and wellbore design
parameters, capturing key variables affecting treatment behavior. It achieved 98%
accuracy and 88% precision in identifying issues like mid-stage shutdowns and
screen outs. By distinguishing surface from subsurface problems, operators can
optimize resource allocation and treatment designs. The study also revealed
significant correlations between operational challenges and geological variability,
highlighting the importance of integrating rock and operational data. These
insights facilitate improved treatment consistency, reduced costs, and enhanced
decision-making.

Bio:

Jessica Iriarte is the General Manager of Completions at Corva. Jessica is a data
science and energy leader, has held various leadership positions in oil and gas,
including international experience in data, research, and operations. Jessica is an
inventor, a distinguished lecturer, and has 17 publications with SPE, JPT, and URTeC.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from
Universidad del Zulia and a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from
Colorado School of Mines.

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: October 2025
2025-10-15 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Abstract:

As the Oil and Gas industry continues its digital growth and transformation, the ability to harness data effectively is becoming a defining factor in operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. This presentation explores how cloud-based technologies can modernize data warehousing, streamline data transformation, and enhance application integration. Leveraging Databricks for scalable data processing, Dagster for robust orchestration, and dbt for reliable data transformations, we demonstrate an integrated ecosystem that delivers both agility and governance. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for migrating from an on premises to cloud-native data platform, strategies for overcoming challenges such as siloed systems and legacy workflows, and practical examples of how these tools can unlock new value from subsurface, production, and operational data. By embracing these technologies, organizations can enable faster analytics and drive better business outcomes across the oil and gas industry.

Mindy Spellman:

With over 14 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Mindy serves as the Director of Data and Analytics at Permian Resources, where she leads enterprise-wide data strategy, advanced analytics, and digital innovation efforts. Mindy began her career in reservoir engineering at Forest Oil before moving into a corporate analytics role.
Driven by a passion for data and analytics, Mindy went on to found Blue River Analytics, a firm specializing in data visualization and business intelligence solutions for the energy sector. As founder and CTO, she worked with numerous E&P companies to modernize their data workflows, transforming how teams interact with and leverage operational and subsurface data.
For the past seven years, Mindy has played a key leadership role at Centennial Resource Development, now Permian Resources, where she has helped shape the company’s digital transformation. Her work focuses on unifying data platforms, enhancing operational visibility, and deploying advanced analytics to drive efficiency across the company.

Matthew Mauch:

Matthew Mauch has seven years of experience in the oil and gas industry, working across technical, analytical, and data-focused roles. He began his career as a Reservoir Engineering Technician, supporting subsurface teams with data management and analysis. He later transitioned into a Business Analyst role, where he focused on bridging the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders by delivering data-driven insights. Currently, Matthew is a Data Engineer, specializing in cloud-based platforms and modern data technologies to build scalable, reliable, and efficient data pipelines at Permian Resources. He has helped lead the development and deployment of data pipelines during their migration from on premises SQL Server to Azure Databricks.

Register Here

SPE Denver General Meeting: September 2025
2025-09-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Abstract:
Pressure drawdown management is one of the most critical, yet until recently underappreciated and not fully characterized, levers of shale production performance. While rapid drawdown can deliver short-term gains, in certain reservoirs it risks compromising long-term recovery, the integrity of the fracture system, and liquid yield.
This lecture explores pressure drawdown management in shale reservoirs across all fluid types. In addition, particular focus will be placed on condensates as the most complex and least forgiving fluid system, where production efficiency can be highly sensitive to drawdown strategy. Insights from Permian, Eagle Ford, Vaca Muerta, and Duvernay case studies highlight that producing condensate gas ratio (CGR) consistently tracks flowing bottomhole pressure and that aggressive drawdowns accelerate condensate loss even above the saturation point.
Field trials and reservoir simulations highlight that, under the right reservoir conditions, controlled drawdowns can preserve fracture conductivity, stabilize liquid yield, and improve condensate recovery by up to 50 percent in the first three years, while also reducing facility requirements and improving overall development efficiency.
The discussion provides a framework to evaluate drawdown strategies through the lenses of reservoir physics, economic outcomes, and operational performance, establishing a foundation for optimized shale developments and stronger reservoir stewardship.
Speaker’s Bio:
Yalda Barzin is a Reservoir Engineering Advisor at ExxonMobil, where she focuses on strategic development and technical quality assurance within the unconventional assets’ portfolio.
With over 20 years of experience in both conventional and unconventional reservoirs, she has worked with leading energy companies across North and South America and Europe. She is an industry-recognized authority in the field of Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) and well performance evaluation. Her technical leadership in translating complex subsurface problems into practical production strategies, particularly in complex fluid systems, has shaped the best practices that continue to influence production from major unconventional plays.
She has authored more than 20 technical papers, including two SPE award-winning publications. Her work spans shale development, RTA, phase behavior, conventional and unconventional EOR, naturally fractured reservoirs, gas condensate systems, and drawdown management. Alongside her publications, she is a multilingual educator who has taught technical workshops and training courses worldwide.
Yalda holds a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Calgary and an MSc from IFP School in France. Outside the energy industry, Yalda is also an accomplished pianist and composer.

Register Here

SPE Denver Section: Jack England Memorial Pass
2025-09-17 01:00 - 07:00 | Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1001 16th Street, Unit Ste A-100, Denver, Colorado, 80265, United States
Pre-register for the 2025 Fall General Meeting slate! After purchasing this pass, you will receive a code to use for the September, October, November and December registrations.

Register Here
