The 23rd World Petroleum Congress (WPC) – widely regarded as the oil and gas industry's most prestigious and high profile global event – returned to Houston, Texas, US this week. It's taking place from December 5-9, 2021. Often described as the "Olympics" of the energy business, the World Petroleum Congress has been held since 1933 when London hosted its first round.
From 1991 onward, the event has gone on to be held every three years. After a COVID-19 enforced delay in 2020, which pushed the event forward by a year to December 2021, Houston hosted the event for a second time, having previously hosted the 12th WPC in 1987. This blogger is privileged to be here and delighted to bring you some glimpses of this prestigious event.
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| The 23rd World Petroleum Congress (23 WPC) floor in Houston, Texas, US |
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| The 1.8m sq ft George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston is the venue of 23 WPC |
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| Exhibition floor of the 23 WPC |
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| ExxonMobil's stand at the 23 WPC exhibition |
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| NASA's Space Exploration Vehicle on display at the 23 WPC |
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| Sonya Savage, Minister of Energy of Alberta, Canada (left) calls for an honest conversation on the need for oil & gas as the world transitions to a low carbon economy |
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| Boston Dynamics' RoboDog 'Spot' vows visitors at the 23 WPC |
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| It is all about keeping the youth interested & having viable STEM pathways to avert a talent gap crisis in the oil & gas business, as deliberated by this panel |
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| Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser (right) visits the 23 WPC exhibition floor |
© Gaurav Sharma 2021. Photo © Gaurav Sharma, December 2021.