Press Releases

17th WPC sets up Advisory Council

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