Event Overview
Terry Palisch, CARBO’s Chief Technology Officer and 2024 SPE President, recently participated in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Distinguished Lecturer (DL) Extravaganza held at the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) in Hera, Timor-Leste, on March 7, 2025.
Hosted by the SPE Western Australia Chapter (SPE WA), this quarterly event attracted over 500 enthusiastic students from Timor-Leste’s emerging petroleum and geosciences fields. Terry’s involvement exemplified CARBO’s commitment to innovation, education, and global community engagement.
A Growing SPE Student Chapter
Timor-Leste, one of the world’s youngest nations, relies heavily on its oil and gas resources for economic stability and growth. Recognizing the critical need for local industry talent, SPE WA established the SPE Student Chapter in Timor-Leste in 2023, now one of the largest globally with over 600 members across four universities.
Terry’s Keynote Presentation
During the event, Terry delivered his acclaimed keynote, “Creating Our Energy Future,” captivating the audience with fresh insights, practical examples, and an engaging energy quiz that challenged students to rethink the future of energy resources. Terry emphasized the evolving landscape of the energy sector, highlighting critical areas like sustainability, technological innovation, and the role that young professionals play in shaping industry advancements. Sharing his personal journey and extensive experiences within SPE, he offered practical advice on maximizing educational resources provided by SPE, encouraging students to actively pursue continuous learning and professional development.
Recognition from Timor-Leste’s Industry Leaders
The event’s significance was highlighted by acknowledgments from high-ranking officials, including H.E. Francisco Monteiro, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, and Dino da Silva, President of ANP, Timor-Leste’s Petroleum Regulator. Terry’s participation underscored CARBO’s international impact and dedication to shaping an innovative future for energy professionals globally.
Event Highlights
The gathering also included presentations from distinguished industry experts, highlighting topics from digital transformation in the energy sector to the critical role of innovation in infrastructure decommissioning. Cultural exchanges, vibrant performances, and interactive Q&A sessions enriched the day, providing a memorable experience for all attendees.
Inaugural SPE Timor-Leste Professional Section Event
Concurrent with Terry’s visit to Dili, SPE Timor-Leste (established in 2024) held their first technical meeting where Terry opened the evening congratulating the Section President – Fernando De Silva – and the rest of the officers on their remarkable progress. Approximately 80 attendees celebrated the evening where Terry discussed the future of energy and our industry. To learn more about this SPE chapter, visit SPE Chapter 6360: Timor-Leste Chapter (Dili, Timor-Leste).
CARBO’s Continued Commitment
CARBO extends gratitude to SPE WA for their continued partnership and congratulates the Timor-Leste SPE Student Chapter on its impressive growth and initiatives. Terry Palisch’s involvement not only reflects CARBO’s values but also highlights the tangible impact of sharing knowledge on a global scale. For more information on future CARBO events, visit our events page: Upcoming Events | CARBO: Industry Insights and Innovations.
