At the SPE Vietnam Technical Talk on September 30, 2025, Dr. Tran Trung Dung – Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology shared the following insights:

• Geothermal energy – a new opportunity for petroleum engineers, leveraging their expertise in geology, drilling, and production.

• Net-zero operations – requiring the next generation of engineers to integrate operational thinking with emission reduction goals.

• Optimizing production from tight reservoirs/shales – data analytics and new technologies will be the key.

• Digital transformation – AI, big data, and modeling are reshaping the way we monitor and operate fields.

• CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) – a crucial pathway enabling petroleum engineers to directly contribute to the energy transition.

• Education & collaboration – universities, service companies, and operators must work closely together to prepare for the future.