Press Releases

Rio 2002: The World's Petroleum Capital

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