Register Now for the SPE Forum 2026: Artificial Intelligence in Upstream E&P 2030 and Beyond – April 7 – April 10, 2026 – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Artificial Intelligence in Upstream E&P 2030 and Beyond

Dates: April 7–10, 2026
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Application Deadline: March 2, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the engineering landscape—reshaping how problems are approached, solutions are designed, and systems are optimized. In upstream energy operations, AI is redefining pathways to innovation, efficiency, and decision-making.

In the exploration and production (E&P) sector, this transformation extends beyond tools and workflows to the very skills required of engineers and geoscientists. Modern engineering is increasingly data-driven and physics-informed, with AI enabling professionals to extract
actionable insights from vast and complex datasets.

Successful AI deployment relies on strong foundations such as digitization, high-quality metadata, and machine-readable data. While technological advances have long shaped exploration, drilling, and production, the scope of tasks addressable by AI now far exceeds that of previous technologies.

AI is poised to revolutionize subsurface interpretation, production forecasting, and reservoir management. These changes are not only technological but organizational, as roles evolve toward analytical and decision-support functions. Petroleum engineers and geoscientists must move beyond traditional workflows to master new tools that will define the future of the industry.

Forum Focus

Building on the 2024 SPE AI Forum, this event explores the continued advancement of AI technologies, intelligent workflows, and emerging software and hardware. Discussions will address both technical innovation and workforce evolution across upstream E&P.

Key Discussion Questions

• What fundamental skills will preserve the human edge?
• Can AI truly acquire tacit knowledge and intuition?
• How can trust be built in AI-driven models?
• How do we design a human–AI symbiotic future?

Forum Sessions

• The future of drilling and completions, including AI for exploration
• The future of production and surface operations
• Unconventional asset development and AI-driven cycle time reduction
• Conventional asset development, including deepwater operations, conventional reservoirs, and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods such as polymers for heavy oil
• The future of decision-making and support systems, human knowledge, human-computer interaction, AI agents, and next-generation decision platforms
• Aspirational benefits, productivity gains, workforce evolution, and ethical AI by 2030

Supporting the E&P Industry

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the energy industry and empowering professionals worldwide.

Revenue from this forum supports SPE initiatives that drive professional growth, foster community, and deliver innovative solutions. By attending, sponsoring, or exhibiting at an SPE event, you help fund impactful programs such as Journal of Petroleum Technology (JPT), certification programs, the Distinguished Lecturer Program, and Energy4me®.

Together, we are advancing careers, building connections, and shaping the future of energy.