The History of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators

A graduate of Sorbonne University in Paris, Sarah Moya Machado has worked with private corporations and government entities in oil and gas ventures. Complementing her professional focus, Sarah Moya Machado holds membership with the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).
With a presence in more than 110 nations across the globe, AIPN has cultivated a member base of more than 3,000 from oil and gas organizations, learning institutions, and others. A truly global organization today, its beginnings were far more humble.
In 1981, a group of professionals from oil firms such as Cities Service and Union Texas came together to establish a “Steering Committee.” During their first six meetings, this group established the early groundwork for AIPN by creating the organization’s initial by-laws.
AIPN did not have its first official meeting until 1982, after which it soon grew to a member base of 180. Within the next three years, the organization held its inaugural Spring Conference, a tradition that has continued to this day.
Since its inception, AIPN has gone through periods of substantial growth and innovation. The organization has crafted numerous model form contracts, most notably the 1990 AIPN Model Form International Operating Agreement and its two subsequent revisions. In 2003, AIPN saw tremendous international expansion after placing individuals from six continents on its Board of Directors. AIPN has continued to flourish since then, focusing on educational projects and other industry initiatives in more recent years.
