Big oil, global experts rally support for 24th WPC

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Country organizing committee for the triennial World Petroleum Congress has declared massive industry and government support for the 24^th edition of the global industry confab slated for Calgary, Canada in 2023.

Media statement available to The Oracle Today showed that the Canadian Organizing Committee for the 24th World Petroleum Congress (“OCAN”) is already counting numerous milestones on industry and government sponsorships, keynote speakers for the Strategic Programme of the Congress, registration timelines and pricing.

The committee also announced the appointment of two new Board Members to the Canadian Association of the World Petroleum Council. 

The committee said it is preparing the Congress to host over 5,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, 50 ministerial delegations, 700 expert speakers, and 800 media representatives.

Also, over 15,000 unique visitors are expected to participate in the congress, which will as well feature over 200 international exhibitors. 

The central discourse at the confab will align with the prevailing global sentiments towards emission reduction and decarbonization of the earth’s environment by seeking greener and renewable alternatives to fossil energy.

Under the theme of “Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero,” the 24th WPC in Calgary will feature a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 square feet, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Women’s Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more. 

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future, the committee stated.

OCAN declared recognition of global and domestic energy leaders, companies and government partners working to establish a Path to Net Zero. It listed confirmed sponsors to include Accenture, QatarEnergy, Repsol, Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy, Pathways Alliance, BP, Chevron, Petrobras, Bennett Jones, Hatch, MEG Energy, Shell Canada, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Stikeman Elliott.

The committee also recognized Canada’s agency, PrairiesCan, for critical funding support in addition to a material partnership with the Government of Alberta. The City of Calgary has also committed to providing important in-kind contributions for the congress. 

“With sponsorship discussions proceeding with numerous global and Canadian organizations, further sponsorship announcements will be made in the coming weeks. Additionally, OCAN expects to sell all available exhibition space at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park by the end of the first quarter of 2023” the committee stated.

In providing updates on strategic and technical programme of the event, OCAN declared that the recently completed global call for technical papers received nearly 1,300 abstracts for 17 forums from over 50 countries, indicating that the conference will deliver a high-quality technical programme focused on innovation to meet the world’s collective energy challenges. 

According to the committee, majority of the speakers for the strategic programme has been invited by the WPC Secretariat and a core international team of content advisors, and features some of the world’s most renowned energy experts.

“The full list of speakers participating in the strategic programme will be announced in the coming weeks,” it said.

On registration timeline, the organizing committee announced that registration for the congress would go live in early January, 2023 with early bid rates available until March, 2023.

To consolidate arrangements for the conference, the governing body for OCAN, WPC Canada, which provides oversight on congress planning, appointed Elizabeth Boright and Almas Kassam to its Board of Directors.  With work backgrounds in Accenture and Cenovus Energy respectively, Elizabeth and Almas bring extensive experience in technology development and application, finance, strategic planning, stakeholder relations and communications to the WPC Canada Board.

Their appointment is conceived to enhance the capability and capacity of the board to provide effective oversight of OCAN and congress planning.

Director General of the WPC Dr. Pierce Riemer, assures: “We will have an outstanding group of industry, government, and thought leaders participating in the Strategic Programme.”

“The 24th triennial WPC Congress comes at a pivotal time as society seeks to address climate change, energy security and affordability and energy poverty. I believe the Calgary Congress will be the most impactful in the history of our organization.”

He noted that the WPC recently approved the creation of a new name, logo, and brand identity as part of the implementation of its strategic plan. He added that this project was progressing well, and that the new WPC brand would be launched in early 2023. 

In expressing the city’s excitement in hosting the event, Mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, stated: “As a global energy hub, Calgary is taking a leadership role in energy transformation and delivering net zero solutions,”. “We are pleased to be both a supporter and the host city of the 24th Congress and look forward to welcoming the world to Calgary.”

Minister for PrairiesCan, Honourable Dan Vandal, stated: “Our government recognizes that to ensure Canada’s industry and its workers are at the forefront of building a cleaner and more sustainable economy, we cannot do it alone,”

“Achieving a net-zero economy by 2050 requires all orders of government working together in partnership with industry leaders, creating new investment opportunities for clean technology firms in Alberta and across the country. By hosting the 24th World Petroleum Congress in Calgary, we will showcase to the world how Canada is leading the way in clean energy innovation and a great place to invest.”

“I am proud to see the Canadian government investing to bring the 24th World Petroleum Congress to Calgary” says George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview. “Calgary is at the center of Canada’s shift towards a clean energy economy. Hosting this event will provide the energy sector with a chance to connect with a global audience and showcase its leadership in developing clean technologies. This will help Canada achieve its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals by 2050.”

“We greatly value the significant support and encouragement we have received from our diverse group of corporate sponsors across the energy sector and supporting fields as well as from our government partners representing all three levels of government,” says Richard Masson, Chairman, WPC Canada. “The coming Congress is the platform to discuss pressing issues facing industry and society, and with the support of our sponsors and government partners, we are confident that the Congress will generate innovative and insightful solutions as we seek to transition to net zero.”