American Oil and Gas Reporter - November 2021 - 39

Renowned Event Headed To Houston
23rd World Petroleum Congress
HOUSTON-With a lineup of speakers
and contributors that includes energy industry
executives, international policymakers,
scholars and media professionals,
the 23rd World Petroleum Congress-
scheduled for Dec. 5-9 at the George R.
Brown Convention Center in Houston-
promises to be a particularly epic installment
in one of the global oil and gas industry's
foremost events.
After all, the thousands accustomed
to attending the event, which the organizers
liken to " the Olympics of the oil
and gas industry, " have been forced to
wait an extra year; the World Petroleum
Congress is normally held every three
years, but COVID-19 forced the organizers
to delay last year's gathering to
December 2021.
Nevertheless, the event's return to the
Energy Capital of the World under the
theme of " Innovative Energy Solutions "
marks the first time since 1987 that both
the city and the United States have hosted
the triennial event. The organizers say
the event will draw participants from key
constituencies influencing the global industry
and give leaders the platform to
hold important, forward-looking discussions
that will extend beyond the conference
itself.
WPC Chairman Jeff Shellenbarger,
who retired from a 38-year career at
Chevron as president of Chevron North
American Exploration & Production Co.,
deems it an honor to lead an event that
will draw global leaders to Houston to
advance energy development that contributes
so much to the modern world.
" The World Petroleum Congress is the
most significant oil and gas forum in the
world, " he affirms.
Organizers note the event, which was
established in 1933, draws heads of state,
energy leaders and technology practitioners
to address the industry's major issues
and discuss how the energy industry can
apply apply technologies such as artificial
intelligence, virtual reality and big data.
Impressive Participants
The event's organizing committee
reported in late October that its program
had added acclaimed authors Alex Epstein
and Robert Bryce to the program.
Epstein and Bryce are scheduled to
share their thoughts and knowledge in
the session titled, " Perception of the
Energy Industry: Creating A Future Vision. "
According to WPC, this moderated
discussion will focus on what must be
done to address perception issues by
analyzing the value the industry brings
to the world and its formidable role in
the energy transition and building a sustainable
energy future.
" Alex Epstein and Robert Bryce bring
insight into the benefits of designing
innovative solutions for fossil fuel use
in our society as well as perspectives
on the future of energy, both themes at
the heart of the congress, " Shellenbarger
relates. " We are delighted to have two
prominent thought leaders on the program
in December. "
Epstein is the president and founder
of the Center for Industrial Progress, a
think-tank that says it seeks to bring
about new industrial revolution and offers
a positive, pro-human alternative to the
" green " movement. WPC adds that he is
the author of the New York Times bestseller,
The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels,
a highly regarded and widely praised
book that analyzes energy's role in improving
aspects of life, through economic
and environmental benefits.
Covering energy, power, innovation
and politics for more than three decades,
Bryce's work has appeared in numerous
respected publications. WPC points out
he is the author of six books, with the
most recent being A Question of Power:
Electricity and the Wealth of Nations,
which considers the factors behind successful
electrification. In addition, Bryce
hosts the " Power Hungry Podcast, "
which focuses on the energy industry
and innovation.
Other headliners scheduled to speak
at the event include:
· Vicki Hollub, president and chief
executive officer of Occidental Petroleum
USA;
· Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of
IHS Markit;
· Ryan Lance , chairman and CEO
of ConocoPhillips;
· Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO
of Saudi Aramco;
· Darren Woods, chairman and CEO
of ExxonMobil;
· H.E. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo,
secretary general for the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries;
· Meg O'Neil CEO of Woodside;
· Travis Stice, CEO and director of
Diamondback Energy Inc.
· John B. Hess, CEO of Hess Corp.;
· Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer
Natural Resources;
· Mike Sommers, president and CEO
of the American Petroleum Institute; and
· Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and
CEO of TotalEnergies.
The 23rd World Petroleum Congress will return to the United States for the first time since
1987, when it convenes Dec. 5-9 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
With a theme of " Innovative Energy Solutions, " the 2021 event will draw participants from
key constituencies influencing the global industry and give leaders a platform for
important discussions that will continue into the future.
NOVEMBER 2021 39

American Oil and Gas Reporter - November 2021

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