New variant fears disrupt start of top U.S. energy conference – Reuters

New variant fears disrupt start of top U.S. energy conference – Reuters

HOUSTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The World Petroleum Congress kicks off this week with a sharply trimmed roster of energy executives and government ministers to grapple with the oil market's future as the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant disrupted travel.

This year's four-day event, rescheduled from 2020 due to the pandemic, brings together the industry's main players about every three years. It was expected to feature officials from countries including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, India and the United States discussing the role of new technologies and low-carbon strategies.

But travel restrictions and worries over the new variant had organizers scrambling on Sunday to fill gaps in the agenda.