The first ever SPE student paper contest in Russia was successfully conducted in Moscow on June 3rd, 2005 with 15 participants from the following SPE student chapters and one additional contestant from Almetyevsk

In April 2004, the SPE board of directors officially approved the second SPE student chapter in Moscow/Russian Federation at the Moscow State University of Geological Prospecting. SPE President-Elect Giovanni Paccaloni inaugurated the SPE student chapter at this university on April 20th together with Val Johnston-Jones, SPE Director for Europe/Russia/Caspian, and Reinhard Pongratz from the SPE Moscow section.

In March 2004, the SPE board of directors officially approved the first SPE student chapter in Moscow/Russian Federation. SPE President-Elect for 2005, Giovanni Paccaloni had visited the Gubkin University in December 2003 together with Val Johnston-Jones, SPE Director for Europe/Russia/Caspian, Prof. Michael Economides, Prof. Ronald Oligney, Klaus Potsch, SPE director for Eastern Europe, and Reinhard Pongratz from the SPE Moscow section.