Congress Program
Engage and Learn with Industry Leaders and Experts
The 23rd WPC will gather expert speakers and presenters from around the world to discuss the world’s changing energy landscape under the theme of Innovative Energy Solutions. Through a comprehensive program, delegates will be able to be part of forward-thinking discussions shaping the future of the industry for the benefit of all.
Theme: Innovative Energy Solutions
In response to the current demand for energy globally, the Congress addresses the social requirements for scalable, customizable, and sustainable energy throughout the world through Innovative Energy Solutions. Building upon its leadership, creativity, collaborative spirit and expertise, the oil and gas sector can provide affordable and secure energy, so that the welfare of all is ensured.
Strategic Program
The 23rd WPC Strategic Program includes high-level sessions led by government ministers, CEOs, and other industry leaders from around the world, analyzing and discussing the transformation of the industry and the developing global and regional demands.
Plenary Sessions are prominent Congress sessions addressing Innovative Energy Solutions and the impact of the energy transition on business and society. The distinguished sessions attract some of the highest-level industry leaders and stakeholders from the global oil, gas, and energy sector.
Ministerial Round Tables are open, interactive discussions on key oil, gas, and energy topics reflecting a wide range of viewpoints from ministers throughout the world.
Ministerial Sessions provide delegates with an insight to a particular country. These country presentations from around the world are hosted by WPC National Committees and led by their minister and a delegation of decision makers.
Strategic Sessions & CEO Panels address critical issues within the industry from a strategic perspective with CEOs and other high-level executives sharing their best practices and solutions to challenges across the sector.
The World Petroleum Council celebrates scientific and technological excellence in the oil and gas industry with the Dewhurst Award and is an honorable tribute to Thomas Dewhurst (1881-1973), President of the Institute of Petroleum, who organized the first World Petroleum Congress in 1933.
Every three years a representative is selected for the award who is well-known throughout the energy industry and has demonstrated unusually high achievements over their lifetime. Drawing on these accomplishments, the individual is asked to deliver the Dewhurst Lecture at the World Petroleum Congress.
Technical Program
The Technical Program is comprised of five important industry topics broken into round tables, technical forums, technical posters, and expert workshops. Each offer valuable insights into the oil and gas industry.
Round Tables within each block enable an open dialogue covering a wide range of points of view related to a topic relevant to the sector. Following brief opening remarks, each speaker receives five minutes to share their position, leaving ample time for audience participation and further elaboration from the participant.
Technical Forums and Posters aim at an in-depth focus on certain dedicated issues of each block – Innovation in Upstream, Innovation in Downstream and Petrochemicals, Innovation in Natural Gas, Future Energy Landscape, and Managing Energy Solutions – and invites delegates to participate in the discussion in the form of questions to the speakers.
The authors will share their insight through presented papers, with opportunities for questions from the audience, or as posters found in the Digital Poster Plaza on the exhibition floor, with an overview and detailed analysis
Expert Workshops are designed to address key regional and global issues of interest to the oil and gas industry. Their objective is to bring together international experts for a thorough review of the latest developments, challenges and potential solutions related to the selected subjects, and create a report of the results and conclusions to be presented at the next Congress.
The topics, speakers, and analysis will be developed by a National World Petroleum Council Committee Lead with the support of an International Expert Working Group to create a one- or two-day Expert Workshop with global/regional expertise and involving relevant stakeholders.
The team will then prepare a report of the Expert Workshop conclusions which will be presented at the 23rd WPC in an hour-long Expert Workshop session.
U.S. Program
The U.S. Program is comprised of curated sessions and luncheons presented by the United States as the host country.
Speakers range from CEOs and high-level executives to academic practitioners who study the state of the industry.
As the host country, the United States is positioned to provide standout programming to delegates throughout the event. Speakers for the U.S. Sessions range from CEOs and high-level executives to academic practitioners who are familiar with the state of the industry, giving local professionals a unique opportunity to connect and share their perspectives with delegates from across the globe.
Special Events
The Opening Ceremony and Reception will kick off and celebrate the 23rd World Petroleum Congress with event introductions and insights about what is to come.
USA Night will be a high-energy night set in the heart of Downtown Houston on Discovery Green and Avenida Houston. The urban green space will be transformed into areas representing iconic USA locations with entertainment and cuisine highlighting regions sea to shining sea!
Concluding the 23rd World Petroleum Congress, the USA will pass the flag to Canada, the next host country of the 24th World Petroleum Congress in 2023.
The WPC Excellence Awards are awarded by the World Petroleum Council at the World Petroleum Congress. This award is given to the most outstanding projects and innovations in the oil and gas industry. The objective of the awards is to distinguish companies, institutions or any public or private organization engaged in the oil and gas industry for promoting or operating with high excellence standards.
Companies submit projects in two categories: Technological Development and Social Responsibility
The World Petroleum Council celebrates scientific and technological excellence in the oil and gas industry with the Dewhurst Award and is an honorable tribute to Thomas Dewhurst (1881-1973), President of the Institute of Petroleum, who organized the first World Petroleum Congress in 1933.
Every three years a representative is selected for the award who is well-known throughout the energy industry and has demonstrated unusually high achievements over their lifetime. Drawing on these accomplishments, the individual is asked to deliver the Dewhurst Lecture at the World Petroleum Congress.
Learn More
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