SPE Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition - ATCE 2026
Event Date
October 21–23, 2026
Location
Houston, TX
Expected Exhibitors
150
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) is the flagship event of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and one of the world's leading technical gatherings for the upstream oil, gas, and energy industry. It brings together technical experts, industry leaders, exhibitors, students, and emerging professionals from across the global energy community.
From 21–23 October 2026 in Houston, Texas, attendees will explore technical content across disciplines, exchange ideas with peers, discover new technologies, and build connections that extend far beyond the conference. ATCE combines world-class technical learning, meaningful networking opportunities, and access to the industry's leading exhibition—all in one place.
The program spans the full spectrum of exploration and production disciplines, from drilling and reservoir engineering to production, digital transformation, CCUS, geothermal, and the energy transition. ATCE is one of the few events where the full spectrum of the energy industry gathers under one roof—cross-discipline, cross-sector, and truly global. The breadth of perspectives here is the experience. It is well suited to engineers, scientists, operators, service-company representatives, academics, and executives seeking both technical depth and industry connection.
Show Highlights
ATCE 2026 is organized under the theme "Exploring New Horizons with Innovative Solutions." Key features include:
- Opening General Session — industry leaders share insights on emerging technologies, digital transformation, CCUS, geothermal systems, enhanced recovery, and building safer, more resilient energy operations.
- Technical Program — more than 150 exhibitors and, in the 2025 edition, over 300 technical paper presentations across the energy sector.
- Strategic and Special Panels — interactive sessions where panelists explore trends, challenges, and innovations, with direct audience participation.
- Startup Village — energy startups compete for top honors, concluding with a social hour and awards ceremony.
- SPE Tech Talks: Live @ ATCE — exclusive interviews with industry leaders on emerging E&P technologies.
- Technical Section Receptions, the Wednesday Keynote Luncheon, and other networking events.
The 2026 Program Chair is John A. Howard.
Attendance
5,300+ professionals, up 25% from the prior year, representing 62 countries and more than 150 exhibitors attended the 2025 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in Houston. The organizer characterizes the audience as global exploration and production (E&P) professionals, including technical experts, industry leaders, operators, service-company representatives, academics, students, and emerging professionals.
Booth Pricing
The official website publishes attendee and visitor registration pricing but does not publish per-booth exhibit-space rates. For exhibitors, an Exhibitor Paid – Additional badge is listed at USD 450 during advanced and standard registration and USD 550 on-site. Companies interested in exhibit space or sponsorship are directed to contact SPE sales (sales@spe.org) or the Exhibit and Sponsor pages. Booth/space pricing was not stated on the site.
Registration
Registration for ATCE 2026 is open and handled through the online attendee portal. Pricing is tiered by date: Advanced (through 9 July), Standard (10 July–4 October), and On-Site (5–23 October).
Sample full-conference rates:
- SPE Member: USD 850 advanced / USD 1,050 standard / USD 1,250 on-site
- Non-member: USD 1,150 advanced / USD 1,350 standard / USD 1,550 on-site
- Student: USD 125 advanced / USD 150 standard / USD 175 on-site
- Presenting Author: USD 525 advanced / USD 575 standard / USD 625 on-site
One-day passes and corporate group packages (10, 20, or unlimited 3-day attendees) are also available. SPE members can obtain a complimentary 1–3 Day Exhibits Only Pass, while a non-member one-day exhibits-only pass ranges from USD 300 to USD 400. Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on 25 September 2026 to receive a refund, minus a USD 150 administrative fee.
History
ATCE is the annual flagship conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), with roots tracing back to the 1920s. The event rotates among major U.S. cities; recent editions were held in San Antonio (Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 2023), New Orleans (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 2024), and Houston (George R. Brown Convention Center, 2025). The 2026 edition returns to Houston. The 2025 conference reflected strong momentum, drawing 5,300+ professionals—up 25% from the prior year—from 62 countries with more than 150 exhibitors.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: August 3, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is SPE ATCE 2026 taking place?
ATCE 2026 takes place 21–23 October 2026 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, USA.
Who should attend ATCE?
ATCE is designed for the global energy community, including petroleum engineers, technical experts, industry leaders, operators, service-company representatives, researchers, academics, students, and emerging professionals. It brings the full spectrum of the exploration and production industry together across disciplines and sectors.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration is completed online through the ATCE attendee portal. Full-conference rates start at USD 850 for SPE members and USD 1,150 for non-members at the advanced rate through 9 July, with student rates from USD 125; prices increase for standard and on-site registration. SPE members can also obtain a complimentary Exhibits Only Pass.
What are the official hotels and how do I book?
Official hotels include the Hilton Americas (USD 309, connected via skybridge), Hampton Inn (USD 225), Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston Downtown (USD 246), and Residence Inn (USD 175). All housing must be booked through the registration portal via Maritz, the event's only authorized housing provider, with changes possible until 23 September 2026.
What makes ATCE worth attending?
ATCE offers one of the industry's most comprehensive multidisciplinary technical programs, a leading exhibition with more than 150 exhibitors, strategic panels, the Startup Village, SPE Tech Talks, and extensive networking. The 2025 edition drew over 5,300 professionals from 62 countries, making it a premier venue for learning and industry connection.
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