The primary purposes of the Society shall be:
to advance at an international level the arts and sciences in and promote and improve technological progress in the interdisciplinary fields of offshore, ocean and polar engineering and related technologies through international cooperation and participation;
to disseminate scientific knowledge and provide timely exchange of technical knowledge and information; and
to provide opportunities through its programs for interested individuals to maintain and improve their individual technical competence in these fields, for the benefit of the public and the interested engineers in these fields.
Society membership is open equally to all with a B.S. degree and up who are interested in promoting engineering and scientific progress in the fields of offshore and polar engineering. Its membership initially came from more than 30 countries. Society membership shall not be limited by nationality, race, color, creed, or sex, but shall be limited to those individuals and organizations who fulfill membership requirements including the payment of dues and fees, and who receive endorsement of qualifications from one of the ISOPE members for membership.
Members of the Board of Directors serve without compensation. The Board of Directors shall maintain international balance and represent diversity in technical interests and activities. The Board shall determine the status of all committees appointed - standing or ad hoc. The activities, property, and affairs of the Society shall be managed by the Board of Directors; the Board may exercise all such powers of the Society and shall not be prohibited except by applicable statutes, the Society's Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.
ISOPE members direct one of the largest technical conferences in the interdisciplinary fields of offshore, ocean, polar, marine, environment, energy, resources, materials and related applied research and engineering. Society membership encompasses a variety of activities including technical conferences, publications, scholarship and professional recognition programs, continuing education, and international cooperation.