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Editor's note: This article appears in the new E&P newsletter. Subscribe to the E&P newsletter here. 

There’s been a great deal of talk about the energy transition. In the midst of those conversations, oil and gas executives are asking themselves, “How do we become more efficient, more diversified and better able to manage our climate impact?” Inevitably, the dialog turns back to technology and innovation.

Innovation is the key to the industry’s future. From advanced technology to productive business practices, innovators are changing the way the oil and gas industry operates on all levels. E&P has touted innovations in its publication for years. Now we’re celebrating the innovators who brought them to the industry.

Welcome to E&P’s 2021 “40 Under Forty” recognition program for technology influencers and innovators. In the links below, you’ll read about our first honorees in what we plan to become an annual program. From engineers to company founders, from C-suite execs to chief scientists, this year’s honorees represent a broad array of organizations, from oil and gas producers, service companies and technology providers, to industry associations.

How did we come up with our list of honorees? All of our honorees were nominated by their peers, colleagues or superiors in an open process. All are being recognized for their positive impact and significant individual technological contributions to their organizations. In short, they’ve demonstrated workplace leadership as innovative minds who will lead the oil and gas industry toward a brighter future.

Our honorees represent global majors such as BP America, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Saudi Aramco. They represent the top independent U.S. producers such as Occidental, Devon Energy, Apache Corp. and Pioneer Natural Resources. Many represent the all-important service sector, from companies such as Schlumberger, NOV and Siemens Energy. There are many more from large technology providers and smaller specialists. The one thing they all have in common is that they all are developing a path forward for the industry through the energy transition and beyond.

In addition, we are honoring Dr. Scott W. Tinker as the recipient of our special Energy Leadership Award. He is being recognized for his influential writing, speaking and documentary production and appearances, which advance understanding of resource development and the world’s energy needs. Dr. Tinker serves as director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Edwin Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin.

It is with great pleasure and the utmost respect, we congratulate these 40 rising technology influencers for their work, and we look forward to many more milestones that they’ll reach in their careers.

For more on the 2021 class of honorees or to nominate someone for the 2022 program, visit the 40 Under Forty website. 

To read the full-length Q&A bios on each of the 2021 honorees, check out the digital version of the 40 Under Forty supplement.