2006 SPE President Eve Sprunt visits Russia

Monday, 03 July 2006 Read 4887 times
Rate this item
(0 votes)
One of the most significant actions was ratification of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SPE and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to further efforts to develop one globally applicable harmonized code for reporting fossi

The International Board of Directors of SPE met in Moscow from 23 to 25 June.  One of the most significant actions was ratification of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SPE and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to further efforts to develop one globally applicable harmonized code for reporting fossil energy reserves and resourcesA copy of the official press release announcing the signing of the MOU is attached .

The harmonized code for energy reserves and resources is very important to reduce confusion about the world’s remaining hydrocarbons.  Many people confuse proven reserves as defined by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with total future hydrocarbon resources.  Proven reserves are only a small part of the total resource base.  In planning for the future, we need to understand the total resource base, which can be described using the harmonized code.  For more information please see http://www.spe.org/spe/jsp/basic/0,,1104_4662017,00.html.

On 21 June, Yuri Podturkin, General Director of GKZ and Vice Chairperson of the UNECE Ad Hoc Group of Experts on the Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves Terminology, chaired a meeting of representatives of the Russian State Commission on Mineral Reserves (GKZ), the UNECE, the World Petroleum Congress, the OPEC, and the SPE.  Prof. Grigoriy Gabrielyans, President of Geoservis, explained the long history and tremendous accomplishments of Russia in quantifying hydrocarbon resources.   Russia’s natural resources and well-educated human technical talent will play a major role in future energy supplies.  The participants in the meeting look forward to working together.  

One of the reasons for holding the Board meeting in Moscow was to give the Board a chance to meet with representatives of the Russian SPE sections.  An excellent “Executive Dialog” was held on 23 June.

During my visit, I met with the “Young Professionals” and students in Moscow on 21 June.  Later on 27 June, I met with the Saint Petersburg State University student SPE chapter. 

Although the Board had a very full agenda, on the afternoon of Saturday, 24 June, the Board visited the Kremlin.  We had an excellent tour of some of the churches and the Armory.  Afterwards, we enjoyed an excellent Georgian dinner at U Pirosmani near the Novodevichy Convent. 

Eve Sprunt ,
2006 SPE President

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter the (*) required information where indicated. HTML code is not allowed.