The Regional Association of Oil and Natural Gas Companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARPEL) is regional organization of oil and natural gas companies and includes 26 local, regional and international companies and institutions.

The mission of ARPEL is to promote and facilitate the development, integration and optimization of the oil and natural gas industry in Latin America and the Caribbean, being a forum for all key issues of interest to their Member Companies.

To accomplish its mission, ARPEL works in cooperation with international organizations, governments, regulating agencies, technical institutions, universities and non-governmental organizations.

ARPEL's activities and tasks are managed in an interactive manner between the Executive Secretariat, Specialized Committees, and Working Groups. The Association endorses the view that progress towards sustainable development requires a balance among the three interdependent pillars of economic prosperity, environmental protection and social progress.

TOWARDS THE REGION'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
In ECONOMIC matters, ARPEL works for the integration of natural gas, the development of the refinery sector and fuels. For the ENVIRONMENT, it develops projects on climate change, atmospheric emissions, oil spill contingency plans and best practices in environment and occupational health and safety management. In terms of SOCIAL concerns, the Association and its members work on best practices in corporate social responsibility, relations with communities and gender analysis.

The results achieved by the Working Groups and Committees of ARPEL, and through the interaction with regional and international institutions, have taken shape in documents and complete databases on oil and gas supply and demand, infrastructure, fuel specifications and emissions standards.

ARPEL organizes and promotes workshops, seminars, conferences, business rounds exhibits and technical assistance on topics of interest to the industry. It periodically produces studies and reports on topics relevant to the sector.

The Association has launched its own Portal, only available to its members, with unique, up-dated and reliable information and documents on the oil and gas industry activities. This Portal aims to enhance cooperation and interaction through its members.

COMPOSITION

26 Member Companies and institutions, which include public, private and mixed: Administración de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland (ANCAP); BP; ChevronTexaco, Cuba Petróleos (CUPET); Empresa Colombiana de Petróleos (ECOPETROL); Empresa Nacional de Petróleo (ENAP); ExxonMobil; Instituto Argentino del Petróleo y del Gas (IAPG); Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo y del Gas (IBPG); Instituto Francés del Petróleo (IFP); Instituto Mexicano de Petróleo (IMP); Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ); Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA); Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX); Petróleo Brasileiro (PETROBRAS); Petróleos del Ecuador (PETROECUADOR); Petróleos Paraguayos (PETROPAR); Petróleos del Perú (PETROPERÚ); Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PETROTRIN); Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE); REPSOL; State Oil Company Suriname N.V. (STAATSOLIE); STATOIL; TEXACO INC.; TOTAL; YPF; Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB).

STRUCTURE

The Assembly of Representatives is the association's highest authority and is composed of representatives of all its members. It establishes the general policies and approves the plans of action, the work plans, and the budget of the association.

The Board of Directors is composed of five members in charge of analyzing the action plans, work plans, and financial statements to be presented for the Assembly's approval. It meets with the Executive Secretary four times a year to follow up on the association's activities. At present, the Board comprises members of the following companies: ANCAP, BP, ChevronTexaco, Ecopetrol, ENAP, PCJ, PDVSA, Petrobas, PetroPeru, Repsol YPF, and STATOIL.

The Fiscal Commission is composed of three members whose role is to examine, give an opinion, and make the corresponding recommendations regarding the financial statements and budget executions that the Board of Directors submits to the Assembly for consideration. The Fiscal Commission is currently integrated by: PEMEX, PETROECUADOR and STAATSOLIE.

The Executive Secretariat is composed by the Executive Secretary and the staff required to achieve the objectives, comply with the policies, and develop the plans and programs approved by the authorities of the association.

The Committees and Working Groups are composed of delegates of the members that decide to participate in them. They are formed with the objective of developing projects on different areas of interest for the organization. Their role is to identify topics of concern and to provide advice and inputs for the successful accomplishment of the objectives established.

GENERAL PUBLICATIONS