The World Petroleum Council (WPC) has
accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations
(UN). The WPC is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and
use of the world’s petroleum resources for the benefit of all.
Headquartered in London, since
1933, the World Petroleum Council includes 70 member countries from around
the world representing over 96% of global oil and gas production and
consumption. WPC 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 from representatives of the oil and gas industry, academia and research
institutions and government departments.
Every three years the Council
organises the World Petroleum Congress hosted by one of its member countries.
The triennial Congress is also 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.
