Committees
The Society of Petroleum Engineers Aberdeen Section
Young Professionals (YP) Committee
Interested in developing your knowledge, skills and network?
Mission: The YP Committee empowers energy professionals aged 35 and younger, to connect with senior peers and mentors, develop essential professional and soft skills, and gain valuable insights for career advancement through a diverse range of technical and social/networking events and programs.
If you’d like to expand your career horizon, why not join us for one of our forthcoming events to find out more! Check out our upcoming events here – our events are open to all, not just YPs!
Simplified Series
The Simplified Series (SS) are our YP Technical Evenings where invited guests give presentations with an aim to keep Young Professionals up to date with emerging technologies in various aspects of the energy industry while promoting professional networking.
Unplugged 360 Series
The Unplugged 360 Series exists to highlight and educate on the importance of non-technical skills. The workplace is constantly evolving and we will typically draw more heavily on soft skills to effectively navigate these changes. These series provides an opportunity for professionals to unplug from daily routines and to look beyond job descriptive competencies.
They provide an opportunity to take a 360 view on the various behavioural components we consciously and subconsciously exhibit in order to understand how interpersonal skills can play a key role in our professional lives. The series address the skills and behaviours that are typically regarded as secondary or forgotten: leadership, emotional intelligence, management and effective communication.
Emerging Energy Leaders Forum
Hosted every 2 year at the SPE Offshore Europe Conference as part of the Talent Investment and Diversity Events (TIDE), the Emerging Energy Leaders Forum (EELF) is a dynamic and informal round table discussion event designed to spotlight and empower the next generation of energy professionals. With a different theme every year, the forum bring together early-career participants with industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders from across the offshore energy landscape.
It provides a unique platform for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and building lasting networks. Through engaging discussions, participants explore the sector’s evolving demands, gain insights into emerging trends and technologies, and develop the skills needed to thrive as future leaders, actively shaping the future of the offshore energy industry.
TechTours
These events provide unique opportunities to visit and see behind the scenes of various local companies aiming to provide a practical insight into various sectors in the industry. To be held ad-hoc throughout the year.
Energy on Draft
Energy on Draft (EoD) is a well-recognised networking event as a collaboration between SPE Aberdeen and partner societies to connect Young Professionals across the energy sector and beyond. Held quarterly in local venues, the event brings together over 100 attendees from diverse backgrounds for networking, games, and informal discussions. Open to all and free to attend, Energy on Draft continues to grow as a vibrant space for building connections, sharing experiences, and supporting the local community.
Beyond the Borders
Beyond the Borders (BtB) is a series of coordinated international three-day events that provide a valuable platform for Young Professionals in the energy industry to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration, and explore emerging advancements. Each event is hosted by an SPE Section in a different European country, with a unique theme each time.
Typically, the host SPE Section covers accommodation costs for up to two Young Professionals who volunteer with YP committees across Europe. In addition, SPE Aberdeen supports several YPs to attend BtB events every year by providing a fixed funding allowance to help cover travel and related expenses.
YP Summer BBQ
An annual summer gathering hosted by SPE Young Professionals, bringing together students, early-career professionals, and experienced members of the energy community. The BBQ offers great food, drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere to connect with colleagues, make new friends, and celebrate the end of the season. Open to everyone, it’s a welcoming event that combines networking, community spirit, and a taste of local flavours.
For all enquires email aberdeen.admin@spe-uk.org
Committee Members
Farhan Khan
Chair - Young Professionals
Farhan Khan
Chair - Young Professionals
Farhan’s roles in BP have allowed him to build digital capabilities along with Reservoir/Petroleum Engineering competencies.
Farhan holds an Undergraduate and a Master's degree from Aberdeen University and IFP School respectively. Some of his prior volunteering experiences include SPE student chapters, BP DE&I committee, podcast and newsletter compilations.
Farhan enjoys travelling, reading and exploring different cultures and cuisines. He is fascinated by history, art, nature and wildlife and can speak 3 and a half languages.
His experience covers:
Technology
- Coding, development, and deployment of toolkits
- Application of RE skills to lead simulation-based projects
Production & Operations
- Lead production forecasts
- Deliver infill, interventions, start-up and wellwork support
- Manage and reconcile short/long-term field management and surveillance
- Lead RE input for reservoir depositional understanding
Yeisson Diaz
Past Chair Young Professionals
Yeisson is currently a Project Engineer at Sparrows Group, working on different projects of specialist engineering, inspection, operations and maintenance services to the UK offshore energy and renewable industry.
Previous professional experience includes being the R&D Subsea Project Engineer for an integrated flow assurance company, joining Petronas as a sponsored overseas talent in Malaysia and working at Indra on an information technology project for Ecopetrol, the Colombian National Oil Company.
Before starting his current position, Yeisson gained an MSc in Subsea Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and a BSc in Petroleum Engineering from the National University of Colombia – Medellin Campus.
Yeisson joined the SPE Aberdeen Section in 2017, helping to organise the Simplified Series events since 2019, and recently he has been appointed as the new Vice-Chair of the Young Professionals (YP) Committee. He has been an active SPE member for almost 14 years, since 2009, when he joined as a volunteer at the SPE UnalMed Student Chapter and later as the YP Chair for the SPE Colombian Section.
Yeisson Diaz
Past Chair Young Professionals
Farhan Khan
Chair - Young Professionals
Farhan’s roles in BP have allowed him to build digital capabilities along with Reservoir/Petroleum Engineering competencies.
Farhan holds an Undergraduate and a Master's degree from Aberdeen University and IFP School respectively. Some of his prior volunteering experiences include SPE student chapters, BP DE&I committee, podcast and newsletter compilations.
Farhan enjoys travelling, reading and exploring different cultures and cuisines. He is fascinated by history, art, nature and wildlife and can speak 3 and a half languages.
His experience covers:
Technology
- Coding, development, and deployment of toolkits
- Application of RE skills to lead simulation-based projects
Production & Operations
- Lead production forecasts
- Deliver infill, interventions, start-up and wellwork support
- Manage and reconcile short/long-term field management and surveillance
- Lead RE input for reservoir depositional understanding
Yeisson Diaz
Past Chair Young Professionals
Yeisson is currently a Project Engineer at Sparrows Group, working on different projects of specialist engineering, inspection, operations and maintenance services to the UK offshore energy and renewable industry.
Previous professional experience includes being the R&D Subsea Project Engineer for an integrated flow assurance company, joining Petronas as a sponsored overseas talent in Malaysia and working at Indra on an information technology project for Ecopetrol, the Colombian National Oil Company.
Before starting his current position, Yeisson gained an MSc in Subsea Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and a BSc in Petroleum Engineering from the National University of Colombia – Medellin Campus.
Yeisson joined the SPE Aberdeen Section in 2017, helping to organise the Simplified Series events since 2019, and recently he has been appointed as the new Vice-Chair of the Young Professionals (YP) Committee. He has been an active SPE member for almost 14 years, since 2009, when he joined as a volunteer at the SPE UnalMed Student Chapter and later as the YP Chair for the SPE Colombian Section.
Joe Sherratt
Section Vice Chair
Farhan Khan
Chair - Young Professionals
Farhan’s roles in BP have allowed him to build digital capabilities along with Reservoir/Petroleum Engineering competencies.
Farhan holds an Undergraduate and a Master's degree from Aberdeen University and IFP School respectively. Some of his prior volunteering experiences include SPE student chapters, BP DE&I committee, podcast and newsletter compilations.
Farhan enjoys travelling, reading and exploring different cultures and cuisines. He is fascinated by history, art, nature and wildlife and can speak 3 and a half languages.
His experience covers:
Technology
- Coding, development, and deployment of toolkits
- Application of RE skills to lead simulation-based projects
Production & Operations
- Lead production forecasts
- Deliver infill, interventions, start-up and wellwork support
- Manage and reconcile short/long-term field management and surveillance
- Lead RE input for reservoir depositional understanding
Yeisson Diaz
Past Chair Young Professionals
Yeisson is currently a Project Engineer at Sparrows Group, working on different projects of specialist engineering, inspection, operations and maintenance services to the UK offshore energy and renewable industry.
Previous professional experience includes being the R&D Subsea Project Engineer for an integrated flow assurance company, joining Petronas as a sponsored overseas talent in Malaysia and working at Indra on an information technology project for Ecopetrol, the Colombian National Oil Company.
Before starting his current position, Yeisson gained an MSc in Subsea Engineering from the University of Aberdeen and a BSc in Petroleum Engineering from the National University of Colombia – Medellin Campus.
Yeisson joined the SPE Aberdeen Section in 2017, helping to organise the Simplified Series events since 2019, and recently he has been appointed as the new Vice-Chair of the Young Professionals (YP) Committee. He has been an active SPE member for almost 14 years, since 2009, when he joined as a volunteer at the SPE UnalMed Student Chapter and later as the YP Chair for the SPE Colombian Section.
