• At the Applied Science Conference held by the Houston Geological Society in November 2017, Petroleum Engineering graduate student, Ishank Gupta, won first place for his presentation on the water weakening phenomenon on shales. Another Petroleum Engineering graduate student, Zhi Ye, took second place for his presentation on shear stimulation and permeability evolution in shale fractures.
• In April, 2017, SPE International hosted their annual Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Responsibility Conference (HSSESR) in New Orleans, Louisiana where our team took second place in the HSSE Student Challenge. This competition allows students interested in the health, safety, security and environmental side of the oil and gas industry a chance to display their knowledge on HSSE topics. Team members were Sergio Gomez, Mitch Bull, Annie Shen, Gage Russell, Emily Ratliff and Shane Reddell. • Continuing their strong philanthropy tradition with regard to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, OU SPE was the top fundraiser for this year’s event with $11,232 raised for the charity. It was a long night but our students cheered each other on and made their presence known with a thirty foot purple derrick.