Chairs Corner – January 2025
Abhi Kohli, Section Chair
Dear Members of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Gulf Coast Section (SPE-GCS),
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as your Section Chair for the 2024-25 term. I am thrilled to welcome you to the first edition of Chair’s Corner for 2025. I look forward to collaborating with our Study Groups, Committees, and all members to make this year memorable and impactful for our section.
This month marks a significant milestone for SPE-GCS: 90 years of affiliation with SPE International. As one of the oldest and largest sections globally, this achievement is a testament to the dedication and contributions of our members over the decades. If you missed my thank-you note commemorating this milestone, please take a moment to read it.
2025 Priorities and Initiatives
In 2025, the GCS Board is committed to delivering high-quality technical and social events that cater to the diverse interests of our members. We aim to make these events accessible and affordable with special pricing for students and members in transition, and free attendance wherever possible. I am pleased to share that our technical events are already off to a strong start with an average attendance of 50+ members. A special shout-out to our General Meeting, Northside, Westside, and Reservoir Study Groups for organizing such engaging and well-attended events.
February promises to be an action-packed month, with several flagship events on the horizon:
- Decarbonization Congress (Feb 3-4, University of Houston): This inaugural event will explore emerging low-carbon technologies and their commercial-scale deployment. Months of dedication and hard work have gone into creating this unique event and we anticipate full capacity on both days.
- Northside Workshop (Feb 10, Oxy Tower, The Woodlands): A full-day workshop focusing on efficiency and profitability, topics of great importance to our members and supporting organizations.
- Business Development: Acquisition and Divestment Symposium (Feb 26, Petroleum Club): Featuring six panel discussions, this event will delve into the challenges and opportunities in key regions such as the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford/Austin Chalk, L48 Gas, Mid-Continent, and Capital Markets.
These are just a few highlights from our February calendar, which is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most exciting months of the year. I plan to attend as many events as possible and look forward to meeting, connecting, and reconnecting with many of you. For details and registration, please visit our Event Registration Page.
Membership Growth
A key focus for 2025 is growing our membership. While our professional membership numbers have remained steady over the past four years, our total membership (professional + student) grew by 2.7% in 2024, driven primarily by an increase in student membership. Additionally, we saw a significant uptick in student-to-professional conversions in December 2024, reaching 41%—a positive indicator that our efforts are paying off.
We had a fantastic Fall Membership Event in Nov 2024, with over 60 attendees, and are planning a Spring edition to further foster community engagement and growth. If you haven’t already, please renew your SPE membership here. Don’t forget to check with your company to see if you’re eligible for reimbursement.
Figure 1: SPE-GCS Professional and Student Membership Over the Years
Scholarship Endowment Fund (SEF)
Another priority for 2025 is growing the SPE-GCS Scholarship Endowment Fund (SEF), which provides critical financial support to students pursuing careers in the energy industry. To date, SPE-GCS has awarded over 5 million in scholarships to more than 800 students. In 2024 alone, we distributed over $170,000 in scholarships, and this year we have increased that amount to $185,000 to support even more students.
The SEF currently stands at $1.6 million, and our goal is to grow it by an additional $800,000 by end 2026. This will ensure that scholarships can be awarded consistently, even during industry downturns. If you, your company, or someone you know would like to contribute, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through Donate Now. SPE-GCS is a 501(c)(3) organization, and many companies offer matching programs—so check if your employer can match your donation!
Figure 2: SPE-GCS Scholarship Endowment Fund Overview
Get Involved
Our Board meetings are held on the third Friday of every month at 10 AM. I encourage all members to attend, either in person or virtually, to share your ideas, raise concerns, and engage with the Board. If you attend in person, I can promise you a great lunch!
We are always looking for volunteers to help with events, initiatives, study groups and committees. If you’re interested in getting involved or have feedback or ideas for the Board, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly via email.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to SPE-GCS. Together, we can make 2025 a year of growth and innovation with strengthened sense of belonging to the SPE-GCS community.
Until the next Chair’s Corner,
Abhi Kohli
SPE-GCS Section Chair, 2024-25