Established in 1933, the World Petroleum Council (WPC Energy) is a non-advocacy, non-political organisation with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN).

The WPC Energy is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and use of the world’s petroleum resources for the benefit of all. The WPC Energy is the only organisation representing the global oil and gas community. The WPC’s Energy prime value to the oil and gas industry today is to catalyse and facilitate dialogue amongst stakeholders that will contribute to finding solutions to key technical, social, environmental and management issues facing the industry.

Executive Committee of the WPC. Astana (Kazakhstan), 2018.

The WPC Energy consists of 65 member countries from around the world representing over 96% of global oil and gas production and consumption. The WPC Energy provides a neutral and non-political forum and its membership is unique as it includes both OPEC and Non-OPEC countries, with representation of National Oil Companies (NOC’s) as well as Independent Oil Companies (IOC’s). Each Country has a National Committee made up of a broad representation of the oil and gas industry in that country, including companies, services, academia, research institutions and government departments.

WPC Energy conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic and environmental impact.

The Secretariat of the World Petroleum Council is based in London, led by the Director General and his dedicated team.

Official website of the World Petroleum Council: www.wpcenergy.org 

World Petroleum Council. St. Petersburg, 2019.

Member Countries:

 

• Algeria
• Angola
• Argentina
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Croatia
• Cuba
• Czech Republic
• Egypt
• France
• Germany
• Ghana
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Israel
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Libya
• North Macedonia
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Peru
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Sierra Leone
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Türkiye
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay
• USA
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

On a day to day basis the WPC is administered by the WPC Secretariat. 
- Burcu Gunal Director General 
- Sarah Ashmore, Director, Programme
- Sarah Beattie, Director, Communications
- Marta Kozlowska, Director, Stakeholder Engagement
- Greta Chapman, Project Coordinator




Every three years, the World Petroleum Council organizes the World Petroleum Congress as the principal meeting place for a global discussion of oil and gas issues.
The triennial World Petroleum Congress is widely known as the "Olympics" of the petroleum industry and covers all aspects of the industry from technological advances in upstream and downstream operations to the role of natural gas and renewables, management of the industry and its social, economic and environmental impact. In addition, outside stakeholders such as governments, other industry sectors, NGOs and international institutions have also joined in the dialogue.


The 23rd World Petroleum Congress, come off in Houston (USA) from 5 to 9 December 2021. During five days more than five thousand delegates representing about 70 countries discussed the most important issues of the future development of the planet's energy industry. Much attention was paid to the role of the oil and gas industry in achieving the goals of sustainable development, ensuring energy needs and reducing the carbon footprint.
Russian National Committee of the World Petroleum Council played a significant role in shaping the Congress programme. Following a competitive selection process, our country's representatives were appointed as Chairs and Vice Chairs of seven congress forums and were directly involved in inviting and selecting speakers and setting the thematic focus of the discussions.




The 24th World Petroleum Congress took place in Calgary, Canada in September 2023, with the main theme of "Energy Transition: The Path to Carbon Neutrality". The event attracted over 10,000 visitors and over 5,000 delegates from 111 different countries. The congress program included 17 technical forums, providing a platform for experts and professionals to discuss the latest developments in the energy industry and explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Website of the Congress: https://24wpc.com/
The 25th World Petroleum Congress will take place from April 26 to 30, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main theme of the conference is “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”. For the first time in its history, the WPC Energy Congress comes to Riyadh, the dynamic capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a transformational moment in the global energy dialogue. As the world’s largest energy producer and a dynamic driver of energy innovation, Saudi Arabia will demonstrate its leadership in delivering secure, sustainable energy supplies, while advancing solutions for global energy security and climate action.
Website of the Congress: https://wpcenergy2026.org/



Delegates gathered for a group photograph to mark the first World Petroleum Congress.

WPC	City	Country	Year
1st	London	United Kingdom	1933
2nd	Paris	France	1937
3rd	The Hague	Netherlands	1951
4th	Rome	Italy	1955
5th	New York	United States	1959
6th	Frankfurt	West Germany	1963
7th	Mexico City	Mexico	1967
8th	Moscow	Soviet Union	1971
9th	Tokyo	Japan	1975
10th	Bucharest	Romania	1979
11th	London	United Kingdom	1983
12th	Houston	United States	1987
13th	Buenos Aires	Argentina	1991
14th	Stavanger	Norway	1994
15th	Beijing	China	1997
16th	Calgary	Canada	2000
17th	Rio	Brazil	2002
18th	Johannesburg	South Africa	2005
19th	Madrid	Spain	2008
20th	Doha	Qatar	2011
21th	Moscow	Russia	2014
22th	Istanbul	Turkey	2017
23th	Houston	United States	2021
24th	Calgary	Canada	2023
25th	Riyadh	Saudi Arabia	2026
26th	Astana	Kazakhstan	2028

The World Petroleum Council has been consistently and successfully cultivating a close and friendly attitude to the topic of young professionals coming to the industry. The WPC initiated an International Youth Forum. It was held in October 2004 in China. The main idea was clearly defined by the motto of the forum: "Youth and Innovation – the Future of the Petroleum Industry".

It was the first major event in the history of the WPC, where young people were given the leading role. Boys and girls who tied their fates with the oil and gas industry got an opportunity to represent different countries and freely exchange their views. Their voices were heard by industry leaders. The speeches of authoritative representatives of the oil and gas industry who came to communicate with young people were very useful and informative.



Since then, the issues of professional development and unleashing the creative potential of the young specialists of the industry have been permanently put on the agenda for the World Petroleum Council as one of the key directions for the development of international cooperation oriented towards a strategic perspective. Youth forums have become regular. They are held in the year preceding the Congresses. The professional problems discussed by the youth are becoming a kind of prologue to the great discussion within the global energy agenda.

After Beijing, the forums of young specialists in the oil and gas industry were held in Paris (France) and New Delhi (India). The fourth WPC Youth Forum was held in 2013 in Calgary (Canada). Three years later, in the fall of 2016, young men and women with an active professional position were welcomed in Brazilian Rio de Janeiro - for the first time, as the Forum of Future Leaders.

The decision of holding the 6th Youth Forum of the WPC in St. Petersburg was made unanimously by the results of the WPC meeting in Istanbul on July 9th, 2017. On April 13, 2018, in Oslo, an Official Ceremony of signing a contract between the RNC WPC Association and the WPC was held to organize the 6th Future Leaders Forum in St. Petersburg.

The 6th Youth Forum of the World Petroleum Council – Future Leaders Forum worked in St. Petersburg on June 23 - 28, 2019. The Forum was attended by more than 1300 representatives of the oil and gas industry from 62 countries. The high professional level of the discussions was predetermined by the unique composition of the speakers — most of the 235 speakers have extensive practical experience in leading oil and gas companies or are eminent experts. Ministerial delegations from five countries arrived to communicate with young professionals.

The VII Youth Forum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was held from September 29 to October 2, 2022 at KBTU. Participants, including industry experts and young professionals, discussed topics related to the energy transition and the future of the global oil and gas industry. More than 700 delegates from 29 countries attended the event, which featured over 20 sessions with 112 speakers.

In 2025, the VIII Youth Forum will take place from October 22-24 in Kuwait. The program for this upcoming event is currently being finalized. If you have questions about participating, please contact the RNC WPC Youth Committee.