Houston selected to host 2020 World Petroleum Congress

(Janice Evans photo)

Houston has been chosen as the site for the 2020 World Petroleum Congress.

Mayor Sylvester Turner on Thursday announced Houston beat Vancouver, British Columbia, to host the event attracting as many as 10,000 oil industry executives. WPC delegates voted in Bahrain, with Turner and others Houston supporters in attendance.

Turner estimates the 2020 event could have an economic impact of up to $80 million for Houston, which last hosted the World Petroleum Congress in 1987.

A statement from Turner says the Houston bid promised to dedicate the net profit from the event to establish a Global Legacy Program benefiting the next generation of industry young professionals. The WPC will distribute the funds to select projects.

The 2014 event was held in Moscow. Istanbul hosted the 2017 World Petroleum Congress.