Reflections from URTeC 2025: Technology, Innovation, and My Journey as a Session Chair
Day 1: Technology at the Forefront
The conference opened with a plenary session titled “Shaping the Future: Leveraging Technology Innovation and Championing Sustainable Development in Unconventional Resources.” The panel discussion was particularly engaging, focusing on the transformative impact of emerging technologies. Panelists shared perspectives on advancements in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in upstream operations. A key takeaway was that integrating these technologies is essential not just for cost savings and safety improvements, but for unlocking the full potential of unconventional reservoirs and reducing emissions. The conversation underscored a sense of urgency and optimism—an industry ready to meet global energy challenges through technology and innovation.
Following the plenary, I attended Theme 1: Advancing Measurements and Models for Improved Field Development. The first talk introduced next-generation stimulation and recovery technologies. The second presentation covered comprehensive probabilistic pressure prediction for water management in the Permian Basin. The third talk focused on interpreting production inflow profiles from distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data, integrated with completion observations in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation. Each session deepened my appreciation for how multidisciplinary approaches are moving the industry forward.
On the final day, I arrived early to chair my second session: Theme 9: Future of Production Forecasting—Data-Driven Models and Physics-Based Solutions III.
Day 2: A Close-Up on Stimulation and Restimulation
My second day was anchored in Theme 8: Stimulation Aspects of Shale and Tight Reservoirs, held in Exhibition Hall C, Room 1. The morning started with a fascinating case study on the use of spherical micro proppants in shale fracturing in Midland County, Texas, demonstrating both technical challenges and operational results. The next session discussed a DFIT-based (diagnostic fracture injection test) methodology for analyzing long post-frac shut-ins in Vaca Muerta gas wells. The final talk introduced a novel chemical restimulation process that increased hydrocarbon recovery in aging unconventional wells—an area where incremental innovation is making a clear impact.
Later that afternoon, I served as session chair for Theme 2: Developments in NMR Logging, Interpretation, and Core Analysis I. My co-chair introduced the session, and I had the honor of introducing the speaker for the second presentation. Topics included direct measurement of oil/water concentration using advanced NMR techniques and the integrated quantification of immobile and producible fluids from NMR logs and core measurements. The session concluded at 2:50 PM. It was a rewarding experience to guide the discussion and see firsthand the enthusiasm for new measurement technologies.
Day 3: Session Chair – Data-Driven Production Forecasting
On the final day, I arrived early to chair my second session: Theme 9: Future of Production Forecasting—Data-Driven Models and Physics-Based Solutions III. The session began at 8:50 AM, with my co-chair, Dr. Park, introducing the first speaker, who presented on a sequential machine learning framework for well forecasting in the Bakken. The talk offered valuable insights into machine learning model development and validation for well performance prediction. I introduced the second speaker, who spoke on the topic of well pacing and dimensionality in forecasting workflows. The session concluded at 9:45 AM. Serving as chair was a tremendous learning experience, as I engaged with presenters and attendees passionate about innovation and emerging technologies.
Conclusion
Participating in URTeC 2025 was a highlight of my professional year. As both reviewer and session chair, I witnessed firsthand how our industry is tackling complex challenges with creativity and rigor. The technical sessions not only broadened my understanding of cutting-edge practices but also inspired me to further contribute to the energy community. I look forward to seeing how these innovations will shape the industry’s path forward.
Purushothkumar Santhana Mahalingam is a petroleum engineer with nine years of experience in hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and well stimulation across the Permian and Delaware basins. He currently works as Region Engineer I at Cudd Energy Services, where he develops stimulation designs and technical proposals, leads bid response development, and acts as completion engineering focal point during job preparation and execution. He began his career as a Field Engineer I focused on hydraulic fracturing and later worked as Field Engineer II / Procurement Engineer, managing district inventory of proppants, acids, and stimulation chemicals, along with vendor negotiations and technical proposal writing.
A member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers since 2011, Mahalingam served as Completions and Operations Co-Lead for the SPE Permian Basin Section (2025–2026) and serves as a member of the SPE ATCE 2026 Completions Subcommittee. He served as Session Co-Chair and technical reviewer for URTeC 2025, was an Honorary Speaker at the SPE North American Student Symposium in 2025, and has judged the North America PetroBowl, SPE regional student paper contests, and the Giovanni Paccaloni Young Professional Service Award.
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, and completed a postgraduate program in Data Science and Business Analytics at the University of Texas at Austin. He is proficient in industry software including FRACPRO, Meyers, Aspen HYSYS, and PROMAX.
