On October 23, 2026, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Kurdistan Region–Iraq Section received the 2026 Presidential Award for Outstanding Section during the President’s Luncheon at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

The Kurdistan Section was one of six sections chosen from 203 SPE chapters worldwide to receive the organization’s highest honor for geographical sections, standing alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Section as the only two recipients recognized across the Middle East and North Africa region.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our members, volunteers, and student chapters,” said Raboon Dizayee, Chairman of the SPE Kurdistan Region–Iraq Section. “It is a testament to the hard work taking place across the Kurdistan Region to advance the energy sector, foster collaboration, and empower local talent.”

The award specifically acknowledges the section’s active role in connecting academic learning with industry practice, providing continuous professional development, hosting technical symposiums, and supporting 13 university student chapters across the region.

SPE leadership highlighted that selection for the award is determined by strict global benchmarks, recognizing sections that demonstrate sustained excellence in community involvement, technical dissemination, professional training, and student mentorship.