Register Now for the Society of Petroleum Engineers Gulf Coast Young Professionals (SPE GCS YP) Forum – Nov 20, 2026 – Houston, TX

AI in Oil & Gas: Applications, Innovation & Career Opportunities

Hosted by: SPE Gulf Coast Section Young Professionals and Data Analytics Study Group
Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Chevron at The Ion
4201 Main Street, Suite 350, Houston, TX 77002

About the Event

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how the oil and gas industry operates, from drilling automation and subsurface analysis to advanced data platforms and autonomous systems. Join SPE Gulf Coast Section Young Professionals and the Data Analytics Study Group for an evening exploring how AI is being applied across the energy sector and what these developments mean for the industry’s next generation of professionals.

The program combines technical presentations, an industry panel, audience Q&A, and networking with experienced professionals working at the forefront of energy technology. Discussions will cover current AI applications, adoption challenges, emerging tools, in-demand skills, and the career opportunities taking shape as AI becomes more integrated into oil and gas operations.

Featured Speakers

David Reid

Chief Technology Officer & Chief Marketing Officer, NOV

David Reid has spent nearly 35 years at NOV and has served as its CTO and CMO since 2020. He leads the company’s technology strategy, including its evolution from drilling automation toward autonomous operations, as well as its innovation initiatives and global marketing efforts.

His industry leadership includes service as Technical Director on the SPE Board, Vice President of Services at IADC, and board member of the NOV/Schlumberger joint venture IntelliServ. He also serves on the University of Houston Energy Advisory Board and leads redM, a Houston nonprofit focused on conscious leadership.

Altay Sansal

Principal AI Engineer, SLB

Altay Sansal works on the development and large-scale deployment of domain-specific foundation models for subsurface applications. His work includes training and fine-tuning AI models, seismic interpretation using vision models, and secure, high-performance inference platforms.

Previously a Lead Data Scientist at TGS, he has extensive experience combining geophysics and machine learning. He co-developed the open-source MDIO format, a cloud-native standard for multidimensional energy data, and has contributed to research on seismic foundation models, machine-learning-assisted interpretation, and AI-ready data workflows. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree in Geophysical Engineering from Ankara University.

Dr. Kshitij Dawar, Ph.D.

Lead Data Architect/Engineer, Chevron

Dr. Kshitij Dawar focuses on applying data architecture and AI to complex challenges across the energy industry. His work spans AI-ready data products, machine learning, knowledge graphs, and emerging agentic AI technologies.

As Chair of the SPE Gulf Coast Section Data Analytics Study Group, he also works to strengthen the data and AI community and help professionals understand the opportunities created by rapidly evolving technologies.

Sri Poludasu

Data Science Manager, NexTier Completion Solutions

Sri Poludasu leads a team of data scientists applying machine learning and automation to completion operations, with an emphasis on operational efficiency and sustainability. Before joining NexTier, he was a Senior Data Scientist at Patterson-UTI, where he worked on drilling automation, real-time analytics, and initiatives to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across rig operations.

He is also actively involved with the SPE-GCS Data Analytics Study Group.

Ted Furlong

Data Science Strategy Leader, Baker Hughes Oilfield Services & Equipment

Ted Furlong leads data science strategy at Baker Hughes, building teams and communities of practice that translate customer challenges into analytics solutions deployed across cloud platforms, edge systems, sensors, and downhole tools.

He joined Baker Hughes in 2016 after 14 years at GE, where he advanced from research engineer at GE Global Research to Vice President of Technology at GE Sensing. His experience includes leading businesses such as GE Panametrics and GE Digital Energy, as well as serving as technical lead on more than 30 venture funding, merger, and acquisition transactions. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford, where his research focused on laser sensors and machine learning for real-time combustion control.

Program Schedule

• 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM: Check-in, networking, and refreshments
• 5:20 PM – 5:30 PM: Welcome remarks from SPE Young Professionals and the Data Analytics Study Group
• 5:30 PM – 5:55 PM: Panel presentation – AI Applications in Oil & Gas
• 5:55 PM – 6:25 PM: Panel discussion – AI use cases, industry adoption, skills, and future careers
• 6:25 PM – 6:40 PM: Audience Q&A
• 6:40 PM – 6:55 PM: Networking and interaction with speakers
• 6:55 PM – 7:00 PM: Closing remarks and acknowledgments

Registration & Pricing

• SPE Members: $10
• Students: $10
• Nonmembers: $20
• Sponsorship: $1,000

Registration deadline: Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Ticket and sponsorship sales end on this date.

SPE members attending this event can also attend the SPE YP Friendsgiving social event at no additional cost. The event requires registration.

Event Support

Venue Sponsor: Chevron
Food and Refreshments Sponsor: SLB

Connect with energy professionals, hear directly from AI practitioners, and take part in a discussion about the technologies and skills influencing the future of oil and gas.