The most important international event in the oil and gas industry, the 17th WPC, will meet for the first time in Brazil, and concurrently with the sector's largest Latin-American expo, the Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002, at Rio de Janeiro's Riocentro conventions facility, from September 1 - 5, 2002.

The theme chosen for the 17th WPC focuses on a trend that has already been observed in business administration throughout the world. Of unquestionable importance in the dawn of the new century, excellence in technology and the issue of social responsibility in the oil industry played a major role in the choice of the congress theme: The Petroleum Industry: Excellence & Responsibility in Serving Society.

Having launched its campaign to host the WPC in 1996, Brazil was declared the winner after having competed with Turkey, France, Iran, Indonesia and Egypt. "The recent opening of Brazil's oil and gas sector to new investors, the high level of development of the Brazilian oil and gas industry and Brazil's technological mastery of offshore production in association with the growing potential of its domestic market are some of the positive factors that led to this country having been chosen," states João Carlos de Luca, president of the 17th WPC and one of the people responsible for clinching the event for Brazil. Also playing a key role in the choice was Rio de Janeiro itself, with its many tourist attractions and an infrastructure that has already proven to be more than adequate to host large international conventions.

The Brazilian Organising Committee -BRASOC - aims at attracting close to 3 thousand delegates and 500 accompanying persons from approximately 90 countries, not to mention exhibitors, the media and students. The Organising Committee team is working together with the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute - IBP - a non-profit organisation that since its foundation in 1957 has aimed at promoting the development and integration of several sectors of the oil and gas industry in the country.

Last year the 16th WPC convened in Calgary, Canada, with 2.9 thousand delegates, 448 accompanying persons, 557 exhibitors and 407 journalists in attendance. The 10th edition of the Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference in turn hosted 650 companies and received 30 thousand visitors. So far more than 500 companies have already booked exhibition space.

Rio de Janeiro, November 15, 2001

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

Responding to an invitation issued by the president of the 17th WPC Brazilian Organising Committee, João Carlos de Luca, and the president of Petrobras, Henri Philippe Reichstul, oil industry officials, Rio de Janeiro state business leaders and representatives from the areas of tourism and energy take part today, December 10, in a luncheon held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel to structure the Advisory Council for the event scheduled to take place in early September, 2002.

Made up of sponsor company presidents and exponents from the oil and tourism industries, the Advisory Council will constitute a permanent high-level forum for discussing the congress' strategic issues. Among the world's most important oil and gas industry events, this is the first time that the WPC convenes in Brazil. About 3 thousand delegates from 90 countries are expected to attend the event, which, from September 1 - 5, 2002, will make Rio de Janeiro into the world's petroleum capital.

The theme of the 17th WPC also presents a challenge: "Petroleum Industry: Technological Excellence and Social Responsibility in Serving Society." These and other industry-relevant topics will be discussed in several forums and in the lectures to be given by 18 oil and gas sector leaders of international renown, including OPEC's president Chakib Khlelil.

The Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002 (ROGE) will also take place in the Riocentro conventions facility and concurrently with the 17th WPC. The 800 exhibitor firms will showcase advanced oil and gas equipment, service and product technology. The synergy resulting from the convergence of these two events will provide everyone concerned with a unique opportunity for doing business. An estimated 35 thousand-strong attendance is expected at the expo. About 300 foreign journalists, as well as scientists, students and people accompanying the delegates will come to the congress. Rio de Janeiro tourism authorities (RIOTUR) estimates an inflow of about US$ 13 million into the service and trade sector during the week of the events.

At the luncheon, the president of BRASOC will introduce the 80 guests to the prepara tions for the occasion. He will stress as well for all how important it is for leaders to become involved in making this a milestone event in WPC's 68 years of history. Rio de Janeiro was chosen as the host city after having competed with Turkey, France, Iran, Indonesia and Egypt. Of all factors that contributed to Rio's nomination and victory, the recent opening of the oil and gas sector to international investors, the great growth of the international oil and gas industry, and technological mastery in offshore E&P weighed the most. With an estimated US$ 100 billion in investments expected over the next 10 years, Brazil currently ranks among the foremost international investment centres.

Rio de Janeiro, December 10 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

During the 17th WPC meeting in Rio de Janeiro, and for the first time since its foundation in 1933, the World Petroleum Congress will confer the WPC Awards. The registration deadline for this award falls on March 1st. Companies may enroll their employees in the following categories: "Technological Development" and " Social Responsibility". The winners will be selected on the criteria of technological and social responsibility, such as: technological breakthroughs; cost effectiveness; commitment and involvement of management and employees ; wide applicability; and reproducibility for the petroleum industry. The winners will be selected by an international committee consisting of representatives from highly qualified organizations such as: Society of Petroleum Engineers, World Wildlife Foundation and united Nations Environmental Organizations.

Application
The applications form is available from WPC Secretariat, National Committees or can be downloaded from the WPC website: http:\\www.world-petroleum.org. Any project material that will facilitate the assessment task of the Selection Committee may be attached. Applications are to be sent to WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESSES, 4th Floor, Suite 1, Duchesss Street, London W1N 3DE, or to the local WPC National Committees.

Winners
The winners will be presented with their award during a luncheon at the 17th WPC, that when they will have the opportunity to speak about the winning projects and invite the audience to visit the special WPCEA display stands.

Rio de Janeiro, February 1 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

One more company ratified its sponsorship of the 17th World Petroleum Congress in January, raising the number of sponsors of the most prestigious event in the oil industry to 34. January also saw a number of important Committee tasks come to fruition, among them the Congress Registration Manual with its online rendition already in place (www.wpc.2002.com) and the printed version set to be mailed out in February to prospective delegates, who will now be able to register, choose their accommodations as well as schedule technical tours and tourist excursions. Journalists who wish to apply for credentials should do it online at the address above.

Over the coming days the selection process to choose the company that will publish the official Congress magazine will come to an end. At the invitation of the Organising Committee, eleven Brazilian and foreign publishers presented their proposals. The Organising Committee is also studying the projects submitted by 12 firms to organise Congress opening and closing ceremonies as well as the Brazilian Night event.

With the objective of promoting the 17th WPC and attracting new sponsors and delegates, members of the Brazilian Organising Committee will be traveling to the sector's main events and shows. IP Week, the next event to host a WPC stand will meet in February, in London. Other already confirmed events are the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) congress scheduled for March, in Houston, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), in May, also in Houston, and the Global Petroleum Show, in June, in Canada.

Marketing is also scheduling meetings with representatives of the executive and legislative powers from the municipal, state and federal spheres for March. And also for March the Advisory Council is organising a luncheon with representatives from the Industry Federation of São Paulo in order to bring new members into the Advisory Council, set up last December.

Some of the promotional materials issued recently include posters and keepsakes, and, more recently, the publication of Congress and Congress Awards adverts in the printed media, as well as the distribution of a folder with up-to-date information about the 17th WPC.

The WPC Excellence Awards is already receiving project submissions. Aimed at public and private companies, institutions and organizations active in the oil business, the awards will be conferred in two categories—Technological Development and Social Responsibility—following the 17th WPC theme, "The Oil Industry, Excellence and Responsibility in Serving Society. The winner in each category will be chosen by an international committee made up of experts from highly qualified and respected organisations such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers, World Energy Council, International Gas Union, International Petroleum Industry, Environmental Conservation Association and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

The "School Marathon" project—a contest between monographs about oil business themes for secondary school and university students—is in the phase of having the adverts to be sent to schools and universities approved, with their distribution scheduled for the end of February. Submissions are accepted until June 15th, and will be reviewed by the 17th WPC Technical Committee. The winners will be announced in August and will receive their prizes during an awards ceremony at the time of the Congress.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

Registration for the 17th World Petroleum Congress has begun. Scheduled for September 1-5 next, this is the largest event in the international oil and gas industry, and for the first time it will take place in Brazil, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Interested parties may register at www.wpc2002.com, or otherwise request at wpc2002@jz.com.br, or through the Congress' Call Centre telephone number — (+55 21) 2539-2706 —that the registration booklet be sent to them. Group registration and early registration are eligible for price discounts.

Both the Website and the registration booklet contain all the forms and procedures necessary for registration, as well as the event's complete program, the list of speakers, a description of the technical tours, the list of social events, the program for accompanying persons and the available pre- and post-Congress tours, among other subjects.

Press credentials may already be requested

Journalists may request credentials for the 17th WPC at press@wpc2002.com or by filling out an online form available at www.wpc2002.com. As in previous Congresses press credentials are given free of charge. Notwithstanding, for security reasons the guidelines below are to be followed:

Journalist must fill out the credentials request form with all the required personal and company data. The forms are individual and must be submitted by June 30.

Congress organisers will send the request for credentials to the Committee of the country where the journalist's news outlet is based.

Immediately upon approval from the national committee, the journalist will be notified. The whole process takes about three weeks.

It will be up to Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, the media consultant for the 17th World Petroleum Congress, to send the requests for credentials to the national committees for approval.

Those who choose to request credentials via printed form, should send the form to the Edelman office in Rio de Janeiro, at the following address: Rua Dias Ferreira, 417/302 — Leblon — CEP 22.431-050 — Brasil.

Rio de Janeiro, March 27, 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

For the first time, Brazil will host the most important event in the international oil and gas industry. The seventeenth edition of the World Petroleum Congress, which is to meet in Rio de Janeiro from September 1-5 next, will discuss the theme "The Petroleum Industry: Excellence and Responsibility in Serving Society." "Advances in technology and in the field of social responsibility are critical in today's business world – in a time when society begins to question the role of corporations and who they must serve in compliance with economic, social and environmental requirements," declares Francisco Gros, Petrobras CEO and president of the World Petroleum Congress' Brazilian National Committee.

More than 3 thousand executives, 250 students and 350 journalists from around 90 countries are expected to take part in this event. Among the speakers who have already confirmed their presence are over 20 sector leaders, including OPEC president Rilwanu Lukman and OPEC secretary general Alí Rodríguez Araque, as well as CEOs David O'Reilly, from Chevron Texaco, and Abdallah S. Jum'ah, from Saudi Aramco. Petrobras CEO, Francisco Gros, and the general director of the Brazilian National Petroleum Agency, Sebastião do Rego Barros are among the Brazilian keynote speakers.

About 20 ministers from the energy area will take part in the congress. The following officials have already been confirmed: Brian Wilson, of the UK; Einar Steensnæs, of Norway; Ram Naik, of India; Álvaro Silva Caderón, of Venezuela; Chakib Khelil, of Algeria; Murray Smith, of Canada; Marcos Pontal, of Cuba; José Vasconcelos and Fátima Jardim, of Angola. The Vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar will also attend the congress. For Francisco Gros, president of Petrobras and of the Brazilian National Committee of the World Petroleum Congress, "Today, at a time when global society begins to question the roles played by companies and whom corporations should serve, it is fundamental that the business world make progress both in the technological and the social responsibility areas, placing emphasis on social and environmental aspects.

With the participation of several companies from almost 40 countries already confirmed, all the 30 thousand square metres available at the Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002 have already been sold. Of all pavilions, the British one is the largest, taking 1,200 square metres in area. The Chinese companies are too occupy na area of 850 square metres, While Italy has set aside 360 square metres for its corporations. With 800 exhibitors and na expected attendance of 35 thousand people, the 2002 Expo will set new records in size and in number of exhibitors as well as visitors.

Brazil's drive to become the Congress' host country began in 1996, and it was only three years later that it was declared the winner, having competed with Turkey, France, Iran, Indonesia and Egypt. "The recent opening of the market to new investors, the signal development of the Brazilian oil and gas industry, this industry's high technical skills in the deepwater in conjunction with the growing potential of the domestic market make for the factors that led to Brazil having been chosen," stated João Carlos de Luca, president of the Brazilian Organising Committee for the 17th WPC.

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

The World Petroleum Congress—WPC—is a non-profit international organisation that brings 59 countries together, the representatives of the world's major oil producers and consumers. The Congress has for main objectives fostering the responsible management of the world's oil resources for the benefit of mankind, promoting the application of the industry's scientific advances, transfering technology and organising regional meetings. Brazil has been a WPC affiliate since 1979.

Established in 1933, in London, every three years the WPC promotes a forum where sector leaders and government representatives from the world over gather to discuss technology advances and seek new paths leading to sector growth. Throughout its history the WPC has approached a great variety of industry issues, ranging from upstream and production development concerns to downstream operations, but of late great emphasis is being placed on issues related to the administration of the oil business. The Congress last met in Calgary, Canada, in 2000.

Each member country has its own National Committee. Presided by Francisco Gros, Petrobras' CEO, the Brazilian Committee is made up of 13 executives from companies and institutions such as Petrobras, IBP, Ipiranga, Atofina, Repsol YPF and the Ministry of Science and Technology. João Pedro Gouvêa Vieira Filho, CEO Ipiranga, Otto Vicente Perrone, IBP Administration Council member, and Michel Hartveld, Atofina Presiding Director are some of the names currently holding office in the Committee.

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

To evaluate the oil industry's latest technological advances; to study perspectives for the oil and gas sector; to discuss social expectations and how to meet them. These are some of the goals that 17th WPC organisers set for the Congress' scientific programme. According to Scientific Committee president, Randall Gossen, "Stress must fall on the fact that the oil industry is ready to listen to society and learn from it."

"Petroleum Industry: Excellence and Responsibility in Serving Society," the 17th WPC theme, will be discussed in four blocks that include keynote speeches by sector leaders such as CEOs from the major international oil corporations. OPEC president and the secretary general, Rilwanu Lukman and Ali Rodríguez Araque, respectively, as well as CEOs David O'Reilly, from Chevron Texaco; Abdallah S. Jum'ah, from Saudi Aramco; Alfonso Cortina, from Repsol YPF; Euan Baird, from Schlumberger; Edgar Ortiz, from Halliburton; and Eric Newall, from Syncrude Canada are some of the keynote speakers. Among the topics to be discussed is the sustainability of the oil industry, its risks and opportunities as well as existing perspectives and responsibilities as applied to sustainable development.

The scientific programme hinges on four blocks, namely: Excelling in the Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas; Excelling in Refining and Delivering Quality Petrochemicals; Excelling in Delivering Clean Energy and Quality Products from Natural Gas; Excellence and Responsibility in Managing the Petroleum Business with Economic, Environmental and Social Dimensions.

Each block in turn is subdivided into three review and forecast papers (RFPs), six forums and 10 poster sessions, where each presentation will be followed by a discussion on technology advances in specific areas of the oil industry. Authored by some of the most renowned executives of the international oil industry, the RFPs deal with the technological development of the sector, and provide a balance of the sector's greatest challenges and of ongoing research in the area. The Congress programme also includes theme luncheons, or opportunities for discussing social responsibility, for attending the WPC Excellence Awards presentation—a prize that is to be launched at this Congress—and for sharing views on current perspectives for the oil industry, a discussion to be led by OPEC secretary general Ali Rodríguez Araque, and the director of the International Energy Agency, Robert Priddle.

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

Roughly US$ 13 million will be injected into the economy of the city of Rio de Janeiro during the week in which the 17th World Petroleum Congress and the Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002 are to take place. This amount will come from the Brazilian and foreign visitors who will participate in the events scheduled for September 1-5. The estimate was attained based on data provided by the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH). According to ABIH, visitors from abroad who come to Rio de Janeiro to take part in a congress usually stay for six days and spend an average of US$ 240 per day, while their Brazilian counterparts leave US$ 140 on a daily basis in this city.

The Brazilian Organising Committee in turn estimates that around 3 thousand executives will attend the Congress. They will be joined by about 500 accompanying persons. Additionally, 250 students and 350 journalists are expected. To lodge them, Rio de Janeiro's hotels have earmarked over 3,500 rooms. Besides accommodations, Congress attendants are expected spend on touristic excursions and technical tours, several of which will take them outside Rio de Janeiro. Other possible sources of revenue are Congress-related social events, which are offered to event participants on an optional basis.

Already early on in the registration process, Chevron announced that it will send a 160-strong delegation, and the Chinese National Committee revealed its intention to send 150 delegates. Moreover, the presence of 126 US delegates has been confirmed, as well as that of 30 participants from Qatar. Notwithstanding, most bookings will be made during April. Countries such as France, Great Britain, Canada Japan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and South Africa will have each its own booth or pavilion in the concurrent Rio Oil & Gas Expo 2002, and therefore will also send representatives.

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209

Brazil is on its way to becoming one of the main international poles for the exploration and production of petroleum. According to data supplied by Brazil's National Oil Industry Organisation (Onip), over the coming ten years the domestic petroleum industry ought to take a significant share of the sector's international investments, or roughly US$ 100 billion, 85 per cent of which to be applied in the oil segment, while the remaining 15 per cent will go into gas-fired power plants. For every US$ 1 billion invested, 37 thousand jobs are to be generated.

Onip data also point to an 80 per cent increase in oil production in six years, moving from the current 1.4 million daily barrels corresponding to 72% of domestic demand to 2.5 million barrels per day. In that same period, domestic consumption, which now stands at 1.9 million barrels per day, ought to grow at a rate of 4-5 per cent yearly. Current forecasts call for Brazil reaching self-sufficiency in oil as of 2005.

Among the Brazilian states, Rio de Janeiro is the one which holds the greatest oil-bearing potential, currently accounting for 85 per cent of domestic production. Of the 1.5 million barrels of oil produced by Petrobras now, the Campos Basin answers for 1.2 million. Oil-related revenues in Rio de Janeiro State amounted to US$ 721 million in 2001. By 2006 Rio de Janeiro may get a second large oil refinery, one that will be of a size similar to that of the Duque de Caxias Refinery (Reduc). Other future investments in Brazil will lead to the construction of 49 gas-fired thermo-electric plants and one gas-chemical complex, and to the revamping of 10 industrial units.

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 2002.

For further information, please contact:

Edelman Public Relations Worldwide
Malu Fernandes – malu.fernandes@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3109 / 9306-6988

Vania Santos - vania.santos@edelman.com
(+55 21) 2271-3100 ext.428 / 9672-2209