WPC Energy is a non-advocacy, non-political organisation with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from theUnited Nations. WPC Energy facilitates an open dialogue around oil, gas, energy and their products and is dedicated to the promotion of their sustainable management for the benefit of all. Until 2023, the organisation was known as the World Petroleum Council.
The organisation's premier event is called the WPC Energy Congress. Starting in 1933, the congress was held every four years until 1991, with a 14-year hiatus in between 1937 and 1951 because ofWorld War II. After 1991, it was held every three years until the year 2000. There was a move to have it hosted every two years after the 2000 edition, withRio de Janeiro hosting one in 2002, but the cycle returned to every three years after that. In order to host a congress, there is a bidding process by interested cities for one in a particular year.[1]
This award is named forInstitute of Petroleum President Thomas Dewhurst (1881-1973), who organized the first Congress in 1933, and is awarded to individuals who have shown "excellence in the petroleum industry."[3]
