In 2018 Gubkin University SPE Student Chapter was awarded the highest award "Outstanding section" ("Outstanding Student Chapter Award 2018"). The President of the Gubkin University SPE Student Chapter Eleonora Belova visited the largest oil and gas conference and exhibition of the international Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE – ATCE (Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition), which was held in Dallas (United States of America) from 23 to 26 September 2018, where the award ceremony took place. Within three days Gubkin Russian State University took part in an extensive program of the conference, visiting technical sessions, round-table meetings, the international PetroBowl game, stands of oil and gas companies at the exhibition, the ceremony of awarding the best student sections and fellows of the international Society of Petroleum Engineers, also a series of training courses for the heads of student sections of SPE.

Every year, all over the globe, the international Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) selects the best SPE student sections. According to the results of the evaluation of research and social activities of the section on the popularization of science among young people, the sections receive special awards and recognition.

This year, the honorary owner of the prestigious award "Outstanding section" ("Outstanding Student Chapter Award") was the SPE student section of Gubkin Russian State University (National Research University) of oil and gas, which according to the results of last year has already been awarded the "Gold standard". Every year the international Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) holds the largest oil and gas conference ATCE, which is famous for its excellent technical content:

• over 300 reports on current and future technologies
• more than 280 companies participating in the exhibition, which presents the latest oil and gas technologies, products and services;
• more than 8,000 participants from all over the world;
• more than 25 training courses;
• numerous industry courses and activities for students and young professionals
• awarding of the best specialists and students of the industry in various categories

For students of Gubkin University attend a large – scale event is an invaluable opportunity to be involved in the international scientific environment, to find new contacts of students, specialists and companies of the industry for the development of cooperation and to present the university in the international arena among the most prestigious universities in the world.

On 23 September a traditional seminar for the heads of student sections of SPE was held, at which students from different countries received tremendous experience in working with the team, tools for setting goals from leading industry professionals, as well as information about new student areas and projects of SPE.

The main topic of the conference "Transformation of Big Data in the Oil and Gas Industry" had emerged at the opening ceremony and panel session on 24 September, where leading industry experts and experts of non-core organizations spoke. In addition, there was an intellectual game SPE PetroBowl. After assessing the level at which universities compete with each other, and adopting some experience, Gubkin section continues to more intensive training to participate in the tournament next year.

An important element of the program on 25 September was the famous ceremony of awarding the best student sections of the international Society of Petroleum Engineers, where the awards were presented to outstanding student sections, winners of the intellectual game PetroBowl. Our Chapter was awarded the highest award "Outstanding Student Chapter Award 2018" in recognition of outstanding achievements and fruitful work in the 2017-2018 academic year, which the President of SPE International 2019 Sami Alnuaim has given to Eleonora Belova on the stage. On the final day of the conference, Eleonora Belova visited the exhibition, in particular, the stand of SPE International, where she learned more about new opportunities (programs, scholarships and grants) provided by the Company. After that there was a small tour around the city.

The Gubkin section expresses its appreciation for the support of the University administration, which regularly assists in the implementation of students' ideas and projects and provides useful recommendations. Special gratitude is expressed to the rector, professor Victor Martynov, vice-rector for international work professor - Alexander Maksimenko, vice-rector for educational work professor - Marina Filatova and advisor to the rector, curator of the student section SPE Professor - Anatoly Zolotukhin. We also address our appreciation to the professional Moscow section of SPE for participation in the life of the section and constant support