Winner of Curtis Blount Outstanding Paper 2026

🏆Congratulations to Saudi Aramco and SLB for winning the 2026 Curtis Blount Outstanding Paper Award at the SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference & Exhibition in The Woodlands, Texas.

Presented annually by the SPE/ICoTA Conference Technical Committee, this award honors the legacy of Curtis Blount—a two-time SPE Distinguished Lecturer, prolific author, and longtime ICoTA Board member. His passion, leadership, and contributions continue to inspire innovation and excellence across our industry.

SPE 231347: “Coiled Tubing Multilateral Extended Reach Stimulation & Electrical Multilateral Entry Tool, Hydraulic Tractor and Electrical Circulation Valve” — a powerful example of what’s possible when expertise and innovation come together. 

Authored by Abubaker Saeed and Mehdi Valiyev (Saudi Aramco), and Nestor Molero and William Tapia (SLB), this work reflects the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that moves our industry forward. As recipients of this prestigious award, the authors have the opportunity to present their work at an upcoming ICoTA conference of their choice—worldwide, with all expenses covered.

👏 Honorable Mention
SPE 231324: “Fishing in the Dark: Optimizing GOA Fishing and Gas Lift Mandrel Inspections Using High-Resolution Acoustic Imaging” by C. Bourgeois and T. Pehlke (DarkVision Technologies); C. Mead (Shell)

This year’s technical papers were a strong reminder of the talent, ingenuity, and commitment driving our industry.