75 years of the World Petroleum Council

75 years ago Thomas Dewhurst urged his fellow members of the Institution of Petroleum Technologists to create a world-wide forum of thought between oil men of various nations. This resulted in the call for the first World Petroleum Congress in London in July 1933. It brought together nearly 1000 of the best and the brightest heads of their industry from 24 countries making it the first truly global event. The number of papers presented – 244 technical dissertations by the world’s leading specialists and covering every aspect of petroleum technology – was also unprecedented for that time. Their first and foremost purpose was to discuss the scientific issues of the petroleum industry in particular the challenges of production, of refining, and especially of consumption of oil as questions affecting the well-being of not one but of all nations.

In 2008, nearly 75 years to the day, Spain will be the host of the 19th Congress and celebrate the enormous progress the industry has made in the last century. With an industry as dynamic as the global petroleum sector the science and technology of oil and gas has changed beyond recognition over the years and the whole philosophy and indeed the structure of the petroleum industry has grown and developed with it. Starting from the original focus on drilling and refining technologies, the Congress has evolved along with the industry to recognize the importance of other areas such as delivery challenges, cleaner technologies (including natural gas and renewables), corporate governance and social responsibility. Indeed, it was in 1994 when Norway hosted the 14th World Petroleum Congress in Stavanger, that environmental issues were first included on the agenda. In 2008 they have now become fully integrated in the broader issue of societal partnerships between the industry and its stakeholders to reflect the oil industry’s changed role in society.

The Congresses provide an excellent overview of a cross section of the key issues in the petroleum sector, both in the areas of expertise of our industry and its demographics. From its early audience of learned academics and experts with decades of industry experience a younger group of delegates has evolved with many leaders of the future from around the world now participating in the Congress. In recognition of the coming crew change in the industry the World Petroleum Council has initiated a strong Youth Programme for the 19th WPC and invites in particular young people and students to participate in the Congress and attend the event in 2008.

In honour of Thomas Dewhurst, the originator and first President of the World Petroleum Congress, the World Petroleum Council at times recognizes one of the outstanding individuals of our industry with the Dewhurst Award. H.E. Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has been selected to receive this Award in WPC’s anniversary year and will deliver the Dewhurst Lecture at the 19th WPC. 

75 years on, Thomas Dewhurst’s original concept remains, that the World Petroleum Congresses should exist for the promotion and advancement of petroleum science and technology and the interchange not only of knowledge and information, but also of friendship between oil scientists of every country in the world, without political or racial barrier.

for further information please contact :

75years@world-petroleum.org