The World Petroleum Council, recognizing the importance of young people to the energy industry, will be rewarding the best young authors at the 20^th World Petroleum Congress in Qatar this December.

The objective of the WPC Youth Awards is to encourage young professionals to participate in the most prestigious triennial event in the oil and gas industry. Young people under 35 are invited to submit abstracts for the 20^th WPC Call for Papers with the chance to win a place at the event and compete for one of the three top prizes at the WPC Youth Awards.

The 20^th World Petroleum Congress Organizing Committee has pledged more than US$10,000 in prize money to be awarded to the best youth presenters. The winner will receive US$5000, while second and third place winners will be granted US$3000 each.

An independent jury will select the winners from the best abstracts received for papers and posters at the WPC Call for Papers from young people below 35 years of age. Originality, accuracy and general worthiness will be taken into account as criteria for the judging process.

Submissions for the 20^th WPC Call for Papers can be made online via the official Congress website www.20wpc.com. The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2011. The winners will be announced at the WPC Excellence Awards ceremony attended by high level dignitaries, industry leaders and the press during the 20^th WPC in Doha, Qatar, on the 5^th of December 2011.

The 20th World Petroleum Congress is sponsored by Qatar Petroleum and will take place at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar, from 4-8 December 2011. Since its establishment in 1933, this is the first time that the World Petroleum Congress will be hosted in the Middle East.