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FAQs on SPE/Petroleum Society of Canada merger The Boards of the Petroleum Society of Canada and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) have approved a merger agreement that will create a new Canadian organization, SPE Canada, to serve the combined membership of approximately 4,500 in Canada. The two societies signed the agreement on 12 June, with the legal closing expected to take place by 7 August. SPE Canada will focus on enhancing benefits for members and supporting the Canadian E&P business and technology. SPE gains about 1,000 members in Canada through the merger and additional Canadian technical resources, including the Petroleum Society’s Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, the TechBank database of technical papers, continuing education program, and several key Canadian conferences. By joining forces with SPE, Petroleum Society members become part of a larger organization in Canada while gaining greater access to global petroleum technology through SPE’s network of more than 88,000 members worldwide and through additional technical resources, events, publications and programs provided by SPE. The Petroleum Society’s office in Calgary will become the SPE Canada office, continuing support of services to Canadian members and publication of the Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology. Some energy professionals already hold memberships in both societies. All 2009 Petroleum Society members will receive a communication at a later date on how they can automatically become an SPE member. SPE has three current sections in the Canada Region: Calgary, Edmonton, and Atlantic. Two new sections are pending SPE board approval in June: South Saskatchewan and Lloydminster. Helen Chang, Nexen Inc., represents the Canadian Region on the SPE International Board of Directors until October 2010, when her term on the board expires. She additionally will serve on the SPE Canada Board of Directors, which will be made up of members of both societies to be announced shortly. A list of frequently asked questions about membership is posted at www.petsoc.org and at www.spe.org/go/canada. During the integration of the two organizations, energy professionals in Canada who have questions about SPE membership or benefits can contact service@spe.org, or call +1(800) 456-6863 toll-free. Petroleum Society members who have questions about their membership should continue to contact the Calgary office at (403) 237-5112 or by email at info@petsoc.org. Georgeann Bilich, SPE director of communications and senior staff director, will help lead the SPE Canada transition team. This is an exciting opportunity for both Petroleum Society and SPE members to develop an even stronger organization in Canada and to enhance technical knowledge exchange globally. Best regards, |