WPC Energy Congress 2026

WPC Energy Congress 2026 in Riyadh: Global Energy Leaders, Innovation and the Future of Energy

The 25th WPC Energy Congress 2026 is set to bring the global energy industry together in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 11–15 October 2026. Hosted at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC), the event will connect energy ministers, CEOs, policymakers, engineers, investors, technology companies, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world.

Under the theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All,” the WPC Energy Congress 2026 will examine the changing global energy landscape, including energy security, oil and gas, natural gas, hydrogen, renewable energy, carbon management, artificial intelligence, digitalization, critical minerals and energy infrastructure.

For companies operating in Saudi Arabia, the GCC and the wider Middle East, WPC Energy Congress 2026 represents an important opportunity to monitor emerging technologies, develop business relationships and engage with decision-makers across the energy value chain.

What Is WPC Energy Congress 2026?

The WPC Energy Congress is a major international energy gathering focused on dialogue, cooperation, innovation and strategic developments across the global energy sector.

The 25th edition will be held in Riyadh for the first time, making Saudi Arabia the host country for this major international energy event. The Congress is expected to attract more than 25,000 participants, including around 100 ministers, 500 CEOs and 800 speakers, while the exhibition will cover approximately 50,000 square meters.

The event combines high-level executive and ministerial discussions with technical sessions, exhibitions, networking activities and specialist programs.

WPC Energy Congress 2026: Event Details at a Glance

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Theme: Pathways to an Energy Future for All

The central theme of WPC Energy Congress 2026 is “Pathways to an Energy Future for All.”

The program addresses the challenge of developing an energy system that is reliable, accessible, sustainable, and capable of meeting changing global demand.

Rather than focusing on one energy source, the Congress covers a broad spectrum of technologies and energy markets. Topics include traditional hydrocarbons, natural gas, renewable energy, hydrogen, alternative fuels, carbon capture, digitalization, artificial intelligence, nuclear integration and energy infrastructure.

This broad approach makes the event particularly relevant to energy companies navigating the intersection of energy security, decarbonization, technology, and investment.

WPC Energy Congress Riyadh 2026: Key Program Areas

The technical program is organized around five major areas covering the energy value chain.

1. Primary Energy Supply

The first program block examines future energy supply and demand, oil and gas production, exploration technologies, natural gas and biofuels.

Topics include:

• Global energy supply and demand
• Oil and gas supply growth
• Exploration and production technologies
• Natural gas as a transition fuel
• Geoscience
• Biofuels

These discussions are particularly relevant to companies involved in upstream energy, exploration, production and energy-market analysis.

2. Energy Infrastructure

Infrastructure will be another major focus at the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.

Sessions cover:

• LNG, FLNG and CNG
• Pipelines and storage
• Strategic petroleum reserves
• Carbon capture and storage hubs
• Hydrogen transportation
• Energy supply chains
• Water management

For businesses involved in engineering, construction, logistics, infrastructure development and energy services, these topics provide insight into the infrastructure requirements of an evolving energy system.

3. Energy Fuels and Molecules

The Congress will also explore the future of fuels and energy molecules.

Key subjects include:

• Electricity supply
• Green and blue hydrogen
• Ammonia
• Methanol
• E-fuels
• Biofuels
• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
• Net-zero refining
• Petrochemical facilities
• Lithium and other critical minerals

These subjects connect the traditional energy industry with emerging energy technologies and new industrial value chains.

4. Energy Technologies

Technology and digitization are central to the future energy discussion.

The WPC Energy Congress technical program includes sessions focused on:

• Smart energy infrastructure
• Digitization
• Artificial intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Carbon capture
• Direct air capture
• GHG emissions reduction
• Solar and wind integration
• Nuclear energy
• Circular economy
• Digital transformation
• Future transportation

The Congress also specifically addresses the role of AI and digitization in the energy sector, reflecting the increasing use of advanced technologies across energy operations.

5. Energy Leadership

The final program area focuses on the broader strategic and economic dimensions of the energy transition.

Topics include:

• Energy access
• Public policy
• Climate change
• Energy security
• Energy affordability
• Financing
• ESG
• Governance
• Human capital
• Stakeholder engagement

The executive program will complement these technical discussions with ministerial dialogues, strategic sessions and leadership discussions.

Why Is WPC Energy Congress 2026 Important for Saudi Arabia?

Holding the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh places Saudi Arabia at the centre of a major international conversation about the future of energy.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s most important energy markets while simultaneously pursuing economic diversification and investment in renewable energy, low-carbon technologies and other emerging sectors.

The official Congress program highlights areas including renewable energy expansion, carbon-management technologies, natural gas, nuclear energy, electric mobility and water sustainability as part of the Kingdom’s wider energy transformation.

The event therefore provides an opportunity for international and regional companies to better understand the evolving Saudi energy market and GCC energy landscape.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Venue: Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center

The Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC) will host the 25th WPC Energy Congress.

The venue is located on King Khalid International Airport Road, Riyadh 13413, Saudi Arabia, providing convenient access for international visitors arriving through King Khalid International Airport.

According to the official venue information, RFECC features approximately 70,000 square meters of exhibition space, 50,000 square meters of outdoor event space, capacity for up to 33,000 visitors and more than 7,500 parking spaces. The venue is approximately 12 minutes from the airport.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Location

Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC)
King Khalid International Airport Road
Riyadh 13413
Saudi Arabia

This location makes the Congress accessible to delegates travelling from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat and other GCC business centers, as well as international energy markets.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Speakers

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud
Minister
Ministry of Energy

Pedro Miras
President
WPC Energy

H.E. Karim Badawi
Minister
Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

H.E. Haitham Al Ghais
Secretary General
OPEC

Dr. Angela Wilkinson
Secretary General & CEO
World Energy Council

Amin Nasser
President & CEO
Aramco

H.E. Jassim Al Shirawi
Secretary General
International Energy Forum (IEF)

Patrick Pouyanne
Chairman & CEO
TotalEnergies

Wael Sawan
CEO
Shell

Vicki Hollub
Board Member and Retired President and CEO
Occidental

Lorenzo Simonelli
Chairman & CEO
Baker Hughes

Dave Ernsberger
President
S&P Global Energy

H.E. Shaikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah
Deputy Chairman & CEO
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation

Meg O’Neill
CEO
BP

Dr. Christian Bruch
President & CEO
Siemens Energy

Dr. Faisal Al Faqeer
CEO and an Executive Board Member
SABIC

Masoud Suleman Mousa
Chairman of the Board of Directors
The National Oil Corporation

Dr. Bassam Fattouh
Director
Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

Daniel Jaeggi
President & Co-founder
Mercuria Energy Group

Amer AlAjmi
CEO
AlFanar Engineering Service

Prof. Haruhiko Ando
CEO
JCCP

Who Should Attend WPC Energy Congress 2026?

The Congress is designed for a broad range of energy-sector stakeholders.

Potential attendees include:

• Oil and gas companies
• Energy producers
• Renewable energy companies
• Utility companies
• Engineering and EPC companies
• Energy technology companies
• AI and digital technology providers
• Energy investors
• Government representatives
• Policymakers
• Researchers and academics
• Engineers
• Energy consultants
• Startups
• Financial institutions
• Media organizations
• Students and young professionals

The official registration information specifically identifies industry leaders, government representatives, technical experts, students and media professionals among the groups eligible to attend.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Exhibition

The exhibition will provide companies with an opportunity to present technologies, products and services to an international energy audience.

The official Congress information describes the exhibition as a 50,000-square-metre global showcase, with companies using the platform to demonstrate innovation, build partnerships and connect with stakeholders across the energy value chain.

The current exhibitor directory includes companies and organizations spanning energy, engineering, technology, infrastructure and related industries, including Saudi Aramco, Baker Hughes, Arabian Drilling and Alfanar, among many others.

For companies targeting customers in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, exhibiting at a major Riyadh energy event can provide a physical platform for product demonstrations, business meetings and industry networking.

Networking and Business Opportunities in Riyadh

One of the major attractions of WPC Energy Congress 2026 is the opportunity to connect with stakeholders across the energy ecosystem.

The Congress brings together government representatives, executives, investors, technology specialists, engineers and other industry professionals.

For companies entering or expanding within the Saudi Arabian energy market, the event can provide a concentrated environment for identifying potential partners, suppliers, customers and technology collaborators.

The official exhibition program also highlights opportunities to engage with government officials, decision-makers and senior executives from across the energy value chain.

WPC Energy Congress and AI in the Energy Industry

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a major theme at the 2026 Congress.

The program includes discussions around AI, digital transformation, smart infrastructure and cybersecurity, while the official WPC Energy program highlights how digital technologies are being used to transform energy operations, productivity and performance.

For the Middle East energy sector, AI has applications across areas such as:

• Predictive maintenance
• Asset monitoring
• Energy-demand forecasting
• Process optimization
• Industrial automation
• Cybersecurity
• Emissions monitoring
• Supply-chain management
• Digital twins
• Data analysis

The convergence of AI and energy technology is therefore expected to remain an important area of discussion at the Riyadh Congress.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 and the Middle East Energy Market

The location of the Congress is particularly significant for the wider Middle East and GCC energy industry.

Riyadh is a major regional business hub, while Saudi Arabia is an important participant in global oil, gas and energy markets. Hosting an international energy congress in the Kingdom creates opportunities for international companies to engage directly with the Saudi and broader Middle Eastern energy ecosystem.

For professionals based in Dubai and the UAE, the event also offers a regional opportunity to follow developments in energy technology, investment, infrastructure and sustainability without traveling outside the GCC region.

Relevant regional search terms include:

• Energy events in Riyadh 2026
• Energy conferences in Saudi Arabia 2026
• Oil and gas events in Saudi Arabia
• Energy exhibitions in Riyadh
• GCC energy events 2026
• Middle East energy conferences
• Saudi Arabia energy conference
• Riyadh energy exhibition
• WPC Energy Congress Riyadh
• WPC Energy Congress Saudi Arabia

WPC Energy Congress 2026 Registration

The official Congress offers different registration categories, including delegate, visitor, and media registration.

Visitor registration is listed as free and provides access to the technical programme, Synergy Pavilion Programme, Special Programme, and exhibition. Delegate registration includes additional executive and technical program access, networking and social events, the event mobile app and other benefits.

Because registration information and availability can change as the event approaches, visitors should check the official WPC Energy Congress website for the latest registration requirements and pricing.

Why Riyadh Is an Important Location for Global Energy Events

Riyadh has become an increasingly important location for international business, technology and energy events.

The city’s position within the GCC, its connectivity through King Khalid International Airport, and Saudi Arabia’s role in the global energy sector make Riyadh a strategic location for international conferences and exhibitions.

The WPC Energy Congress adds another major international event to Riyadh’s growing calendar of business and industry gatherings.

For energy companies, technology providers and professional services firms targeting Saudi Arabia, attending major industry events in Riyadh can also provide opportunities to better understand local market requirements and establish regional business connections.

The Future of Energy Takes Center Stage in Riyadh

The 25th WPC Energy Congress 2026 brings together many of the issues currently shaping the global energy industry: energy security, oil and gas, renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon management, digitization, AI, critical minerals, infrastructure and investment.

With more than 25,000 expected participants, hundreds of speakers and a large-scale exhibition at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, the Congress is positioned as a significant international meeting point for the energy industry.

For energy professionals, technology companies, investors, policymakers and businesses operating across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, GCC and Middle East, WPC Energy Congress 2026 provides a valuable opportunity to follow industry developments and connect with organizations working across the evolving energy value chain.

WPC Energy Congress 2026 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 11-15 October 2026.

Official Event Information

For the latest program, registration, exhibition and venue information, visit the official WPC Energy Congress 2026 website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): WPC Energy Congress 2026