02-12-04 Madrid was selected to host the 19th World Petroleum Congress in 2008. The candidature was presented by the World Petroleum Congress Spanish Committee, integrated by the Club Espanol de Energia (ENERCLUB) and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid.
The decision to award Madrid the opportunity to host the Congress was made at the WPC Executive Council Meeting held in Madrid Nov. 29-30, with representatives from over 140 countries being present. The other candidates to host the 19th World Petroleum Congress were India and Qatar.

This is the first time that Spain has been awarded the honour of celebrating this prestigious event, and it is the first time since 1994 that the World Petroleum Congress will be celebrated in a European country. In addition to the 2008 World Petroleum Congress, an International Exhibition of Petroleum and Gas will be held simultaneously in Madrid.
The WPC's decision to award Madrid the opportunity to host and organize this event is in recognition of the efforts undertaken by the Spanish oil and gas and related industries in reaching a level of technological development that is in-line with the new demands that are required in a globalised market, and where Spain today is widely respected within the petroleum sector worldwide.

The Spanish petroleum industry has successfully developed its activities worldwide, from upstream, to petrochemical production, with integrated oil companies playing a major role, mainly in Latin America and Africa. The Spanish petroleum industry is currently at the forefront in the European Union, which following its recent expansion to twenty-five member countries has become a leading economic power.
The WPC Council also recognized the ability of the City of Madrid in organizing similar large-scale thematic events, such as the 1992 World Energy Congress, as well as various other international scientific and social congresses and conferences that are held throughout the year in the capital.

The selection of Madrid as host city is also in acknowledgement of its magnificent public transport, lodging and gastronomic facilities, as well as the ample cultural and sports events that the capital can provide.
The WPC Council also noted the Spanish initiative was fully supported by industry, institutional, national and local government authorities, and also reflected a multinational and multi-faceted character, with representatives from engineering companies, equipment suppliers, assembly and construction companies, consulting firms, in addition to those from the oil and gas sector.

The World Petroleum Congress (WPC) is an institution, that was founded in 1933, as a forum for the analysis and the spreading of information of a scientific, technological, economic and managerial nature, with regard to issues related to the petroleum industry.
For the WPC to meet those strategic goals, its world congresses, which are held every three years, play a major role. The last World Petroleum Congress was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2002, and the 18th World Petroleum Congress will be held in 2005 in Johannesburg.

The WPC incorporates members from over 60 countries, each with their own national committee.
The WPC Spanish Committee is chaired by Antonio Gomis Saez, and is integrated in the Enerclub Hydrocarbons Chapter. Gomis is also the Deputy General Director for Repsol-YPF’s Chemicals Division.