The DEA(e) is the upstream oil and gas association dedicated to the advancement of drilling engineering technology.

The primary objective of the DEA(e) is to enable drilling performance improvement by increasing awareness and uptake of drilling technology through networking and the sharing of knowledge and experience. Originally set up as an operations/research forum, the DEA(e) also continues to stimulate joint industry project (JIP) initiation and development at its meetings.

The DEA(e) meets four times a year to discuss a specific topic chosen by the members. The quarterly meetings are held at different locations (always in Europe) and hosted by different DEA(e) members, usually on the first Thursday and Friday of the quarter.