DOHA, December 8 (Itar-Tass) — The ceremony of “passing the baton” of the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) to Russia will be held in Doha on Thursday. Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko will receive the banner of one of the world’s major and authoritative energy forums that will be hosted by Moscow in three years.
According to the Russian minister, although it is too early to look ahead, he would like Russia at the next Congress to make a convincing presentation of its concrete progress in the development of the Eastern - Asia-Pacific vector in the energy policy, as well as a program of deepening oil processing at domestic plants. “I am sure that one of the important topics on the agenda will be the development of the Arctic shelf,” he told Itar-Tass. The minister expressed hope that the European partners will come to the Moscow meeting with a changed rhetoric and will discuss specific business projects, moving away from their excessive politicisation.
The current 20th Congress has been held under the motto “Energy Solutions for All: Promoting Cooperation, Innovation and Investment.” During five days of the anniversary forum, which for the first time in its nearly 80-year history, is organised in the rich in oil Middle East, more than 5,000 delegates from around the world shared their experiences in the field of oil and gas production, refining and transportation, ensuring security of the industry, its economic and social components for each country. World energy producers have paid considerable attention to renewable and alternative energy sources.
In addition, about 500 companies, specialised institutions and agencies presented their products and solutions at an exhibition organised on the sidelines of the forum. Among the exhibitors were also Russian companies, including Rosneft, Gazprom, LUKOIL, Tatneft, TNK-BP, Bashneft and Surgutneftegas. Experts and scientists from Russia made their presentations to the forum participants.
Rosneft is the exclusive sponsor of the closing ceremony of Qatar’s Congress. In addition, this national oil and natural gas company, the only Russian, has also become a “platinum” sponsor of the world gathering of oil industry workers, along with global energy giants such as Shell, Exxon Mobil, Total and others.
Held every three years, the World Petroleum Congress and Exhibition is the largest and most reputable oil and gas industry gathering in the world. The 20th World Petroleum Congress is hosted by Qatar Petroleum and takes place at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha, Qatar, from 4-8 December 2011. Since its establishment in 1933, this is the first time that the World Petroleum Congress is held in the Middle East, according to the event’s press release.
The triennial World Petroleum Congress is held over five days with more than 4,000 delegates, 600 media and 550 presenters participating in a programme that covers all aspects of the industry, from technological advances in upstream and downstream operations, to the role of natural gas, renewable and alternative energy, the management of the industry and its social, economic and environmental impact.
Known as the “Olympian Event of the Oil and Gas Industry”, it is attended by a global oil and gas audience and outside stakeholders such as governments, other industry sectors, NGOs and international institutions who also join in the dialogue.
The World Petroleum Exhibition, held alongside the congress, and in the same venue, features exhibits from the national committees of the World Petroleum Council, which include the most prestigious national oil and gas companies and agencies of the world. It also showcases the most important international oil and gas companies alongside key suppliers, service companies and manufacturers. This is the most significant global exhibition dedicated to the oil and gas industries.
The World Petroleum Council is an oil and gas industry forum and international organisation representing the petroleum sector worldwide. WPC has been called “the world’s premier oil & gas forum since 1933.” It is widely recognised to “include the most prestigious national oil and gas companies and agencies of the world.” The premier conference that is organised by the World Petroleum Council is called the World Petroleum Congress. Starting in 1933, the congress was held every four years until 1991, with a 14-year hiatus in between because of World War II. After 1991, it was held every three years until the year 2000. There was a move to have it hosted every two years after the 2000 edition, with Rio de Janeiro hosting one in 2002, but the cycle returned to every three years after that. In order to host a congress, there is a bidding process by interested cities for one in a particular year.