R&D Technical Section Q&A: The Future of Education—Innovation and Agility

_ In this article, Gaurav Agrawal of the SPE Research and Development Technical Section (RDTS) spoke with Matthew T. Balhoff, SPE, the department chair and a professor in the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering (PGE) at the The University of Texas (UT) at Austin. This series highlights innovative ideas and analysis shaping the future of energy, with a focus on emerging technologies and their roadmaps, potential, and impact. With these conversations, we hope to inspire dialogue and accelerate progress across new energy frontiers. Balhoff coheads the Industrial Affiliate Program on Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery and holds BS and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from Louisiana State University. He became an SPE Distinguished Member in 2017 and received the 2022 SPE Lester C. Uren Award for Technical Excellence, 2014 SPE International Young Member Service Award, and 2012 SPE International Teaching Fellow Award. Balhoff currently serves as a director on the SPE RDTS and is an author of more than 100 peer‑reviewed publications and 40 conference papers in the areas of enhanced oil recovery, carbon storage, unconventional resource production, and fundamental processes of flow and transport through porous media. RDTS: UT Austin’s petroleum engineering department has consistently earned the top global rating and remains a destination for both students and industry. What has gone into building this strength and sustaining its reputation? Balhoff: The people behind our Hildebrand Department of PGE are exceptional. Their originality, deep appreciation for the industry and profession, and sustained drive for excellence have shaped a culture that resonates with our graduates and continues to attract top global talent and industry collaboration. Our faculty, past and present, have authored foundational textbooks that remain industry references. Many have been recognized by SPE as Honorary Members and recipients of the Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal, John Franklin Carll Award, Lester C. Uren Award, and other major technical honors. Their research innovations have helped shape and, in many cases, revolutionize the petroleum engineering discipline. Our alumni include industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and distinguished academics. To name just two, Scott Sheffield (BS, 1975), former CEO and chairman of Pioneer Natural Resources, and Horacio Marín (MS, 1994), current chairman and CEO of Argentina’s YPF. Strong alumni engagement remains a critical factor in keeping the department at the forefront of the profession. Equally important, our outstanding staff create a welcoming, close-knit environment that students consistently highlight in senior exit interviews. This culture has enabled a system that supports state-of-the-art education and research, fostering creativity, collaboration, and excellence. PGE recently moved into the Gary L. Thomas Energy Building and will move into the new Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building in the fall of this year. Both named after distinguished PGE alumni. Gary Thomas (BS, 1972) served as president of EOG Resources, and Autry C. Stephens founded Endeavor Energy Resources.