Syed A. Ali is a technical adviser at Schlumberger Technology Corp. He began his career as a project geologist at Gulf Research and Development Co. in 1976 and held various positions at Chevron starting in 1981. He joined Schlumberger in 2007. Ali is recognized as an expert in formation damage control, sandstone acidizing, and production chemistry and is the author of approximately 150 technical papers. Ali received the 2014 SPE DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal, the 2006 SPE Production and Operations Award, the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, Distinguished Membership in 2013, and the 2015 Honorary Membership Award. He served as a Distinguished Lecturer in 2004–2005. In 2009, Ali played an instrumental role in establishing the SPE International Production and Operations Conference. He also helped establish the SPE Deepwater Drilling and Completions Conference in 2010 and was co-chair of the 2014 conference. He is chair of the JPT Editorial Committee. Ali holds BS and MS degrees in geology from the University of Karachi in Pakistan, an MS in geology from Ohio State University, and a PhD in geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Leonard J. Kalfayan is a Global Advisor with Hess Corp. based in Houston. His background is in oil, gas, and geothermal production enhancement; new technology development and implementation; and business development. He was a 2005 SPE Distinguished Lecturer and has served on numerous SPE program and technical committees. He is author of more than 30 SPE and other journal publications and serves as a technical reviewer for SPE Production & Operations. He is also author of the book Production Enhancement with Acid Stimulation and co-author of the book The Energy Imperative.

Carl T. Montgomery, SPE, is a Senior Project Advisor with NSI Technologies based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Formerly, Carl was with ConocoPhillips, Arco, and Dowell Schlumberger and has worked on wells in 54 different countries around the world. Carl has served SPE as a Distinguished Lecturer, was the first SPE International Technical Director for Drilling & Completions, has presented SPE short courses on fracturing, and was awarded the 2007 SPE Drilling and Completions award. He has authored a textbook on Hydraulic Fracturing, numerous papers and chapters in several additional stimulation and cementing books and holds 27 US/international patents.