In June 1955, a small delegation of Soviet oil workers for the first time took part in the work of the World Petroleum Congress, which took place in Rome. This congress was the fourth in a row, the world oil community has already recognized and accepted this event as the most authoritative forum of oil industry workers, the most important place for the exchange of relevant scientific and technical information and the development of international partnership.

At that time it was quite natural for Soviet oilmen to join the processes that took place at the World Petroleum Congresses: the postwar production volume was constantly increasing (in 1956 it amounted to 61.3 million tons), the largest deposits of the Volga-Ural oil and gas region were discovered and brought into development, oil deposits development system with maintaining reservoir pressure began to develop. The USSR oil industry objectively became an important part of the world industry, one of the development centers of industry science.

After participating in the 4th World Petroleum Congress and analyzing its results, a decision was made about the entry of the USSR into an international organization World Petroleum Congress. In accordance with the Constitution (Ordinance) of this organization, a national committee was to be established to formalize the procedure of membership and further representation, which happened on March 19, 1958, by the order No. 38-540 of the USSR Sciences Academy Presidium. The USSR National Petroleum Committee was established in the amount of 34 people. The main duty of the Committee was to carry out works related to the preparation and conduction of the next International Petroleum Congresses. The first chairman of the Committee was Nametkin N. S., corresponding member of the USSR Sciences Academy, honored scientist of the RSFSR, State Prize laureate of the USSR, Petroleum Institute director of the USSR Sciences Academy (now – Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis named by Topchiev A. V.). Representatives from the USSR to the Permanent Council of the World Petroleum Congress were appointed: Academician A.V. Topchiev, academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR, M.F. Nagiyev, Professor F.A. Trebin.

Time since the formation of the national committee for 1997 is characterized by a fairly high degree of participation of leaders, specialists and scientists of the domestic oil and gas complex in the work of congresses: at each congress, at least 20-22 speakers got the right to speak, delegations of our country were very representative, subjects that are relevant for domestic science and industry. The most numerous in terms of the number of participants from our country (more than 200 people) was the 13th WPC in 1991 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our delegation was headed by First Deputy Minister of Oil Industry V.Yu. Alekperov. At the congress, he made a report on the state of the domestic oil industry. However, for a number of reasons, both objective and subjective, since the 15th World Petroleum Congress (October 12-16, 1997, Beijing, PRC), Russia’s activity has noticeably decreased. In the entire 50-year history of the Russian National Committee, the 5-6 years preceding 2005 were among the most stagnant. State structures that managed the Russian oil industry and Russian oil companies for various reasons almost completely lost interest in the participation of the Russian oil and gas complex in the activities of the World Petroleum Council and in the preparation of world petroleum congresses. The situation was very unpleasant. The matter was to exclude RNC from the World Petroleum Council for non-payment of membership fees for two years. Russia, being a world energy power, did not have its representatives in the leadership of the WPC.

The congress was held in Mexico City from April 2nd to 9th. Reports on the geology of new oil regions, particularly Western Siberia, where the Samotlorskoye field had been discovered in 1965, sparked great interest. For the first time, the Ministry of Oil and Gas paid significant attention to the use of mathematical methods and computer technologies in hydrocarbon exploration and production. This was a groundbreaking development in the industry.

The Organizing Committee for the 8th World Petroleum Congress was headed by Valentin Shashin, Minister of Oil Industry of the USSR. About five thousand delegates from 58 countries attended the Congress, held from June 13 to 18, 1971. The event was used by the organizers to showcase the achievements and future prospects of the oil and gas industries in the USSR and to promote international cooperation. The program included visits to various industrial, scientific, and educational facilities in the Soviet oil and gas sector, including a trip to the Oil Rocks oil field in the Caspian Sea. These visits provided an opportunity for delegates to learn about the latest developments in Soviet oil and gas technology and to discuss future plans for international cooperation.

In this situation, great efforts were made to preserve and revive RNC. Vladimirov, V.I. Ott, A.N. Dmitrievsky, S.N. Hajiyev. Their active actions made it possible to reverse the situation, to persuade the leadership of leading Russian oil companies Transneft, Rosneft, Surgutneftegaz, RussNeft, Tatneft, and Bashneft in the need to support Russia’s participation in congresses-the largest events of the world oil community.

The event marked the beginning of a new initiative to hold regular professional youth forums. The World Petroleum Council demonstrated its commitment to engaging with young people, and this initiative has gained significant attention in Russia and other countries since then.

In 2006, the RNC executive board was reorganized. It was the non-commercial partnership “Russian National Committee of the World Petroleum Council for the organization and holding of world petroleum congresses", established by 15 Russian legal entities – members of the RNC WPC, including 8 manufacturing companies, 6 branch scientific research organizations, academic institutes and 1 university. In addition, RNC members are 8 individuals. In accordance with the Statute of the RNC WPC, individual members of the RNC, from the moment of election to the post and until dismissal, are the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Director of RNC WPC, 3 heads of public sections, Vice-President of WPC from Russia, Member of the Program Committee from Russia.

The Supreme Management Body of RNC WPC is the General Meeting (Plenum) of RNC WPC members, which meets at least once a year and takes decisions on the main issues of development and functioning.

The General Meeting (Plenum) of the RNC WPC members made a general decision on the revitalization of the World Petroleum Council and set the ultimate goal for the next 5 years – obtaining the right to hold the World Petroleum Congress in Russia. This decision passed all necessary stages of coordination in Moscow and was supported by the leadership of the Government of the Russian Federation. In accordance with the decision taken in recent years, the RNC WPC carried out purposeful work to solve the task, which resulted in the victory of Russia’s bid for holding the 21st World Petroleum Congress in Moscow in 2014.

The annual meetings of the World Petroleum Council take place alternately in different countries. In September 2009, the meeting of the heads of the the National Committees was held in St. Petersburg, along with meetings of the WPC Program and Youth Committees. RNC WPC submitted an official application to host the 21st World Petroleum Congress in Moscow. Representatives from Russia took part in the 2nd Youth Forum of the Ministry of National Economy in Paris, France.

The competition was held in Beijing, where the national committees of Russia, the United States, and Colombia competed for the right to host the Congress.

RNC WPC has created a Youth section and prepared proposals for cooperation with the WPC Youth Committee. Representatives from Russia participated in the third WPC Youth Forum, which took place in New Delhi, India.

The First Russian Petroleum Congress, organized by the RNC WPC with the support of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and leading oil and gas companies, as well as the Russian Academy of Sciences, was the largest national forum for specialists and scientists in the petroleum industry. It was held in Moscow from 14th to 16th March 2011 and attracted 650 delegates from 18 countries.

More than 100 presentations and posters were made. On the eve of the World Petroleum Congress, Russia presented its consolidated position on key policy issues to the international platform.

In accordance with the order of the Government of the Russian Federation, an organizing committee was formed to prepare and host the 21st Congress in Moscow in 2014. N. Laverov, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has been appointed as the head of the Russian Program Committee for the 21st World Petroleum Congress.

The 21st World Petroleum Congress, known as the “Olympic Games of the Oil and Gas Industry", was held in Moscow. The Congress gathered about 5 thousand industry leaders and experts from 119 countries. The Congress was opened by the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich and the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak.The congress gathered about 700 speakers headed by 34 ministers. A total of about 5,000 industry leaders from 119 countries of the world attended the event, during which all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including the mining and processing, natural gas, renewable energy and sustainable development sectors were considered. The congress was covered by more than 1,000 media representatives. The World Petroleum Exhibition, which accompanied the Congress, is located on an area of 50,000 m2 and reached a new record, 30% higher than the area of the previous Doha Congress. The exhibition attracted about 17,000 visitors, and 542 participating companies had expositions. 550 volunteers helped the organizers and participants of the Congress. WPC President Renato Bertani recognized the volunteer program of the 21st MNC as the best in the history of the congresses.

The scholarship “Golden legacy of WPC” was established, which aims to identify the most talented and successful students from all over Russia. The competition is attended by students of universities of the Russian Federation, leading the training of specialists in a wide range of specialties in the oil and gas profile.

One of the most significant outcomes of the 22nd World Petroleum Congress for our delegation was the World Petroleum Council's decision to hold the 6th WPC Youth Forum - Future Leaders Forum in Russia. This Future Leaders Forum provides a unique platform for young professionals to share their experiences and innovative achievements in the oil and gas industry. Through professional networking, participants can strengthen cooperation and connect with industry leaders from around the world.

The largest international platform for professional communication between young specialists in the oil and gas industry was open in St. Petersburg from June 23 to 28. Delegates and guests of the Forum included 1,345 representatives of the oil and gas industry from 62 countries – young professionals, as well as industry managers, experts and scientists. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent greetings to the participants, organizers and guests of the Forum. In terms of the richness, variety and relevance of the program, the composition of the invited speakers and the organizational level, the Forum met the most optimistic expectations. "The event set new standards in terms of the quality of the program and speakers, excellent organization and positive results, which are important for shaping future industry leaders," said WPC President Tor Fjaeran

The Energy League comprehensive youth educational program which includes Winter and Summer schools for high school students, internships, Mentoring programme, the Golden Legacy Scholarship, and various formats to support scientific and technical creativity of students and young professionals. Along with the youth agenda, the RNC WPC continued to implement relevant projects and programs focused on the study and analysis of industry-wide issues and the promotion of Russia's interests in the international arena.

Winter schools were organized in Nizhnevartovsk and Stavanger, as part of the first EnerGenious case marathon. The mentoring program continued to be implemented and the results of its first release were summarized. With the support of RNC WPC, the PetroStage information platform has been created, expanding the opportunities for professional training of young specialists in the oil and gas industry.

The regulation on the RNC WPC Program Committee has been approved, expanding the functions and capabilities of this information and analytical structure, which, in addition to participating in the formation of the WPC program, is tasked with providing expert support to the activities of the RNC WPC.

The first meeting of the newly formed RNC WPC Program Committee took place in Moscow under the leadership of Academician A. Nekipelov. During the meeting, 8 thematic sections were established to address key issues in the oil and gas industry. The committee consists of leading experts, including scientists, representatives from companies, and industry associations. Its main goal is to provide scientific support for promoting Russian interests on global energy platforms, including preparations for the World Petroleum Congress-2023 in Canada.

Russian representative Lesana Kurbonshoeva became the head of the WPC Youth committee for the first time, which was an important step in strengthening Russia's cooperation with the international oil and gas community. Her election confirms the high level of trust in Russian specialists and opens up new opportunities for joint projects and the exchange of experience.

A joint project of the RNC WPC and the SPE Moscow Section with the aims to bring together engineers, scientists, and energy specialists to share knowledge and develop their technical and professional competencies.