In February 2025, I had the distinct pleasure of participating as a speaker in the SPE North America Student Symposium and Judge in the PetroBowl Regional Qualifier, both held at the University of Southern California. These events provided profound insight into the petroleum engineering industry’s current and future landscape, showcasing a blend of academic rigor and professional expertise.
North American Student Symposium: A Convergence of Minds and Ideas
The symposium kicked off with a warm welcome from Dr. Iraj Ershaghi, setting the tone for a series of intellectually stimulating presentations. Dr. Jennifer Miskimins captivated the audience with her talk on “Energizing Tomorrow: Solutions, People, Energy,” which emphasized innovative approaches to sustainable energy practices. Following suit, Dr. Don Paul delivered a compelling keynote on “Digital Transformation & Energy Transition,” discussing the transformative changes reshaping the oil and gas industry through digital technologies.
A standout feature of the symposium was the early career panel, expertly moderated by Terry Palisch. This panel provided invaluable career insights and advice to young professionals navigating the complexities of the industry. The discussions were deeply engaging, offering perspectives on career growth and professional development within the evolving energy sector.
The technical sessions that ensued were equally enriching. I had the opportunity to interact with bright minds from Kansas University and the University of Southern California. We delved into discussions about cutting-edge technologies and recent research advancements that are set to redefine industry standards. The session featured six technical presentations across two breakout rooms, where experts like Carlos Torres, Zach Evans, and Dr. Linda Battalora presented varied topics from operational challenges to technological innovations in oil recovery.
My presentation, scheduled at 2:00 PM, focused on “Sustainability: Review of Hydraulic Fracturing.” I discussed the comprehensive steps involved in oil and gas field development, highlighting the critical role of hydraulic fracturing. The talk covered the use of various proppants, the dynamics at well sites during stimulation, and the deployment of complex well stimulation equipment such as hydration units, blenders, and fracturing pumps. A significant portion of my presentation was dedicated to environmental strategies, emphasizing the recycling of fracturing fluids and the innovative use of Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) technologies. These technologies not only help in reducing costs but also mitigate environmental impacts by utilizing natural gas extracted directly from wells.
The symposium concluded with insightful closing remarks from Dr. Iraj Ershaghi, emphasizing the industry’s ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability. A following networking event allowed students and professionals to discuss future collaborations and career opportunities.
PetroBowl Regional Qualifier: A Showcase of Competitive Excellence
PetroBowl Regional Qualifier unfolded with an impressive display of knowledge and quick-wittedness by student teams across North America. The event featured intense competition among 22 teams, segmented into four pools. As a judge in Pool A, I observed outstanding performances from teams, including Missouri University of Science & Technology and Texas A&M International University, who advanced from the preliminary rounds.
The final rounds of the competition were charged with excitement, culminating in a riveting finale where Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México triumphed over Missouri University of Science & Technology. This victory secured them a spot at the 2025 Championship, slated for October at the SPE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition in Houston, Texas. The five teams advancing to the championship are Universidad Nacional Autónoma De Mexico, Missouri University of Science & Technology, University of Louisiana- Lafayette, Texas A&M University, and University of Houston.
The event concluded great, and the energy was amazing.
Purushothkumar Santhana Mahalingam is an accomplished petroleum engineer with extensive expertise in hydraulic fracturing, well stimulation, and petroleum engineering management. He began his career in the oil and gas industry as a Field Engineer focused on hydraulic fracturing. Subsequently, he transitioned to Procurement Engineer, responsible for procuring essential materials such as proppants, acids, and well stimulation chemicals for fracturing operations and managing district inventory. His responsibilities also include vendor negotiations and writing technical proposals.
Mahalingam has been a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers since 2011. He has actively participated in key industry conferences, serving as a technical reviewer for URTeC 2025, and is slated to serve as a session chair at the same conference. He was also a speaker for the SPE North American Student Symposium in February 2025 and a Judge in the 2025 North America Regional Petrobowl Competition.
He earned a Master’s in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&M University—Kingsville and a Bachelor's Degree in Petrochemical Technology from Anna University, Tiruchirappalli. To further enhance his credentials, he completed a Postgraduate program in Data Science and Business Analytics from the University of Texas at Austin. He gained proficiency in industry-relevant software such as FRACPRO, Meyers, Aspen HYSYS, and PROMAX.
- Purushothkumar Mahalingamhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/purushothkumar-mahalingam/
Oil and gas operations are commonly found in remote locations far from company headquarters. Now, it's possible to monitor pump operations, collate and analyze seismic data, and track employees around the world from almost anywhere. Whether employees are in the office or in the field, the internet and related applications enable a greater multidirectional flow of information – and control – than ever before.