Number 19, September 1999

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17th WPC Congress in Brazil

One of the many spectacular sites of Rio. Picture courtesy Petrobras Image Bank

On the 10th March 1999 in a close round of voting, Brazil won the right to host the WPC-17 in 2002/3 in Rio de Janeiro. The exact date will be decided at the Executive Board meeting in October 1999. Rio is known throughout the world as the Marvellous City. It hides several cities in one, blessed by nature with wonderful land and seascapes, it is a big city with architecture and traditions ranging from colonial to modern times.

Copacabana Beach, Rio. Picture courtesy Petrobras Image Bank

Visitors will encounter nature and technology, the old and the new, all contained between mountains and coast. It is this unique blend of characteristics that lends Rio its mysterious and interesting tone. Moreover, the city counts on an excellent infrastructure as far as hotels, transportation and convention centres are concerned, ready to cater to an event the size of the WPC.

Rio has hosted other similar sized and even larger events, such as the Rio Eco-92 Environmental Summit, that had the presence of nearly 150 heads of state (and 20,000 attendees), and the Rio Oil and Gas Expo and conference (15,000 attendees), which takes place every two years at Rio centro, the same place where the 17th WPC is scheduled to be held. Rio however is not just an exotic city. Rio de Janeiro is a key city when talking about oil. It is from the state bearing the same name, of which Rio is the capital, more precisely, from the Campos Basin, located in the north of the state, that around 950 thousand barrels of oil come out daily. There, record upon record has been set in the production of oil at ever increasing depths. We will keep you informed about the 17th WPC in future newsletters

Budapest Meetings

May 1999 saw the SPC and CAC meetings being held in Budapest. The meetings were well attended and many activities for Calgary 2000 were settled. The SPC finalised the Forum chairs and what has been referred to as the “green book” has now been issued to all National Committees. The Canadian organisers were well received and giving an example of what to expect in Calgary carried out all their presentations digitally, using Microsoft PowerPoint. One outstanding issue, the question of vice chairs was discussed and letters will be on their way to all the chairman to finalise the names as soon as possible. One of the major themes of the Canadian presentation was marketing and how to involve the National Committees in the WPC. How National Committees can become more involved and other activities will be described later in this newsletter.

Towards the Millennium - Jim Gray

In the year 2000, a group of visionaries will meet to shape the oil and gas industry for the next century. As Chairman of the Canadian Organising Committee for the 16th World Petroleum Congress, I would like to invite you to be a part of that group and join me in Canada in June 2000. Calgary and Canada pride themselves on a tradition of excellence when hosting the world, as evidenced by the 1988 Winter Olympics, the 1996 International Rotary Convention and the 1997 World Police and Fire Games that were all hosted to great acclaim. The 16th World Petroleum Congress will become the latest in that legacy and will be an unforgettable event for delegates. Planning for the 16th WPC is well underway and you are sure to experience another outstanding meeting of the world’s oil and gas industry. “Petroleum for Global Development - Networking people, business and technology to create value” True to congress tradition, one of the main components of the 16th WPC will be the plenary sessions.

The Scientific Programme Committee is in discussions with renowned authorities to lead the plenaries. These highly respected speakers will be sharing their visions and perspectives on international issues and global approaches to doing business. A range of timely and important topics will be discussed including financing in international market economies, achieving international consensus on social responsibilities, development perspectives and initiatives from around the world, and Canada’s unique approach to dealing with its diverse natural resources. The importance of and need for globalisation in our industry is increasing dramatically. And, if we are to have a successful global approach, it is crucial that we share our perspectives and build relationships with our colleagues around the world. The 16th WPC will provide a prime opportunity for networking and discussion in the year 2000 as it brings everyone together in one venue. Key members of the petroleum, natural gas and related industries, government, academia, the scientific community and media will all be in Calgary. What more convenient and accessible means to conduct business than to have all the key players in one spot? A Global Business Opportunities Centre featuring industry and related organisations and the WPC National Committee Stands will also be offered providing a convenient setting for discussions on opportunities, relationships and alliances. This, combined with an exciting line-up of pre- and post- congress tours, uniquely Canadian social events and an interesting accompanying persons program will ensure the 16th WPC is a first class, worthwhile experience for all whom attend. Mark your calendars today and begin planning your trip to Canada for the 16th World Petroleum Congress. I look forward to welcoming you to Calgary in June 2000! Jim Gray - CANOC Chair.

Calgary 2000

Calgary 2000 The recent meeting in Budapest presented the progress to-date on the preparations for Calgary. The following article highlights the major themes from the discussion.

Interactive Technology Session

This was formerly the Free Poster Session. The format has been changed to give the posters more prominence at the Congress. It will be as a Thematic Approach, with 8 themes containing 5 presentations within each theme, giving a total of 40 presentations.

The layout of this event will allow interactive discussion between authors and the digital preparation of posters will be encouraged. This session will take place on Tuesday 13th June 2000. The themes are: Exploration: New Global Vision Environment: Future issues, Environmental management Systems, Cumulative Impacts. Reservoir management: The Petroleum is there to be produced. Data management: More data creates a greater need for integrated access. Deep Water Development: Global analogues offering exciting challenges for the future. Gas to liquids: A continuing growth area for alternative energy. Pipeline networks expansion Public Involvement in Decision-making: A subject not to be ignored.

Education & Student Programme

The academic community in Alberta is actively involved in preparations for the 16th WPC. Students and academics are being encouraged to submit posters, and students will be extensively utilised as scientific secretaries. The educational institutions will also provide assistance to presenters in the development of digital poster materials. This part of the Congress plans are still under development, and additional activities will be announced as they are finalised.

Global Business Opportunity Centre

The WPC membership is growing (9 members in 1933 to 58 members in 1999). This creates problems in terms of trying to include every country as a presenter in the scientific programme of the congress. To encourage and support every member country the National Booths have now evolved into the Global Business Opportunity Centre. This will be the networking centre for participants of the congress. We want to encourage countries to take up the space they have been offered and take this opportunity to publicise the efforts going on in the National organisations and their countries. This is an ideal opportunity to tell the world who you are, what you are doing, where you are going, and look at the potential for business opportunities. In addition it can also give the opportunity for National Committees to showcase their homeland for tourism and the economy and cultures of their country. Typically the focus will centre around the petroleum sector. Each National Committee is invited to set up a display which can involve, national oil and gas companies and relevant sectors, professional, technical and academic organisations. The objectives are to bring together resource owners, financiers and deal making expertise and provide opportunity for all WPC members to have a significant participation in the congress without regards to their participation in the technical forums. This centre will increase the involvement of the National Committees in the WPC and give the opportunity for greater promotion of their countries activities. This centre will be housed in Calgary’s new Telus Convention Centre immediately adjacent and linked to the technical sessions guaranteeing a large attendance from delegates.

National Petroleum Show

Running alongside the WPC in Calgary will be The national Petroleum Show. This takes place from the 12th until the 15th of June. The exhibition will be staged at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Park, a 5 minute Light Rail

Calgary Programme

The opening ceremony will be a fast-paced, colourful, entertaining event in the Jubilee Auditorium, featuring a hi-tech multimedia spectacle that will dazzle the audience in celebration of the Land, the People and Canadian Industry. In addition to the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony, the following social events will be arranged. Canada Night Set in Spruce Meadows, one of the top equestrian facilities in the world, Canada Night will provide a retrospective of regional Canadian culture and talent against the breathtaking backdrop of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The format will be casual and friendly, encouraging mingling and providing significant networking opportunities. Home

Home Hospitality Night Calgary’s legendary hospitality will be the primary attraction for Home Hospitality Night. Calgarians will open up their homes to host international 16th WPC delegates to dinner, conversation, and exploration of each others cultures and traditions in a warm and friendly environment. Stampede Breakfasts A Stampede breakfast will be provided on Tuesday, June 13th. This is a unique Calgary tradition held in the spirit of the world renowned Calgary Stampede. Accompanying Persons Programme. A range of interesting activities are being developed for accompanying persons - with lots of flexibility to suit the choice of a busy or relaxed visit to Calgary. Options may include getting pampered at the world-renowned Solace Spa at the Banff Springs Hotel,

Hotel, touring Calgary or the Rocky Mountains, visiting the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, enjoying a round of golf, shopping, touring museums or exploring the 80 acres of park and animal exhibits at the Calgary Zoo. Receptions The Canadian Association will host a banquet for EB, CAC, DC and SPC members, accompanying persons and special guests on the evening of Saturday June 10th. Upon request, assistance will also be provided in arranging National Committee receptions during the Congress. The Closing Ceremony will take place in the Jack Singer Concert Hall and will offer an opportunity to consolidate memories, firm up new contacts and have a preliminary look at the next Congress. At the end of the ceremony, the flag will be handed over to the Chair of the Brazilian Committee; the host of the 17th World Petroleum Congress. Further information will be presented in later newsletters.

National Committees involvement

As already mentioned each National Committee has the opportunity to get more involved by being part of the Global Business Opportunity Centre. Every WPC member can apply for a stand (3m x 3m) free of charge. If you haven’t already booked your spot please get in touch as soon as possible (cdn.assoc@wpc2000.com).

To help make Calgary a great success we need the help of the National Committees to publicise the WPC as much as possible. This can be achieved in many ways. Some of the most popular are:

Publishing the congress on your website or providing links.
Please link to www.wpc2000.com
Advertising the event in any local newsletters.
Distributing event details among members, local industry and government.
Organising special events to promote business opportunities in Canada.
Encouraging your colleagues to attend.

In addition, the Canadian Organising Committee would welcome any contribution from the National Committees in the form of useful mailing addresses. These would be senior people from politics and industry. In addition, details of relevant Journals or industry organisations should be supplied that might advertise the Congress or review it. And finally any useful list that might be used to attract possible attendees would also be welcome.

These lists once compiled would then also be useful for future congresses. As an example of what is currently being achieved some of these ideas have already been taken up by the British National Committee. Initially they are organising a Symposium in the UK which will give an overview of the Canadian oil and gas industry.

This will include topics such as; traditional oil production including heavy oils, tar sands, new offshore production - Nova Scotia, new offshore production - Newfoundland; gas; refining, pipelines and distribution. Case studies will be presented of companies successfully doing business in Canadian oil and gas. The Institute of Petroleum will also be running a number of articles in Petroleum Review, probably in the November or December edition. This article will then be reprinted on its own and sent to UK companies, with the hope of encouraging them to send delegates to Calgary and to take part in the Global Business Opportunity Centre as part of the national stand. At the same time, links will be set up from the Institute of Petroleum’s web site to the CANOC web site.

There will also be a stand for CANOC at the UK organised “IP Week” in February 2000. As part of IP week there will also be an evening meeting that will focus on Canada. We would encourage all national committees to do whatever they can to help make Calgary the biggest and best WPC ever.

Future newsletters

We hope that you like the new layout of the WPC Newsletter. Our aim is to make it easier to read and to be more informative. We would like to start a regular series of articles in the newsletter informing the membership about the activities of National Committees. If you would like to submit any material or have suggestions for future articles please do not hesitate to contact Pierce Riemer at the usual address (on the back page).

Also, please feel free to get in touch if you would like extra copies of the newsletter. If you are reading somebody else’s copy then please apply for your own

Retiring Director General

May I again express my most sincere thanks and appreciation to the WPC Officers, members of the Executive Board and National Committees of the WPC for all your help and comradeship over the past seven years. - Paul Tempest.

New Director General

Dr Pierce Riemer joins the WPC after working for the International Energy Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Programme for the last 8 years. During this time he has initiated and organised major international conferences and many technical workshops. He has spent many years in the energy industry, working on activities connected with the coal, oil and the gas industry. More recent projects have included advanced power generation, environmental legislation, JI/CDM and technologies for greenhouse gas mitigation, whilst promoting the continued use of fossil fuel.

His most recent papers/studies have covered subjects such as enhanced oil recovery, the recovery and utilisation of methane emissions, carbon dioxide utilisation, enhanced coal bed methane production, methane hydrates and the utilisation of depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Dr Riemer (41) lives in Gloucestershire in the West of England

News from the Internet

Dates for the WPC Diary

CAC Saturday June 10th SPC Saturday June 10th EB Sunday June 11th PC Wednesday June 14th (Lunch 12, meeting 12.30) EB Friday June 16th

Member Countries

Current WPC members