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Environmental & Social Impact Assessments
Background: Using an Important Tool for Managing Impacts
Approach: Integrating Results into Decision Making
Future Goals: Establishing Consistent Processes in Upstream Operations
Background: Using an Important Tool for Managing Impacts
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes are used by energy companies to identify the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects and to show how they intend to manage and mitigate them. ChevronTexaco and other energy companies have been conducting formal EIAs for a number of years, and many governments now require such EIAs. Often, the perception of a company's ability to effectively manage the environmental impacts of a project determines whether government agencies, local communities, business partners and other stakeholders will grant the company permission to undertake the project. In recent years, companies have begun experimenting with conducting formal Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and more comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs).
Approach: Integrating Results into Decision Making
Historically, ChevronTexaco has conducted EIAs wherever legally required and for major new projects in environmentally sensitive locations. More recently, we have begun conducting SIAs and comprehensive ESIAs for some major projects. For example, ChevronTexaco conducted ESIA activities as part of several projects in 2002, including the Escravos gas-to-liquids facility in Nigeria and the West African Gas Pipeline. In the case of the pipeline, early input from the EIA allowed for up-front identification of significant impact areas and issues to be incorporated in project design, as well as development of contractor requirements to address such impacts. Integration of the EIA into the detailed pipeline siting work helped to avoid sensitive areas and to reduce the project's "footprint" in sensitive areas that could not be avoided.
For another major project, early assessment of possible sites for a liquefied natural gas facility in the Congo River Delta in northern Angola enabled us to incorporate environmental criteria - such as sensitive areas, fauna and flora, protected areas, and cultural and historical sites - into the site selection process.
ChevronTexaco also participates in several industry initiatives designed to increase awareness of the need for and value of ESIAs and enhance our own knowledge for designing and conducting them. For example, we participated in the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) and International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association's efforts to develop a tool to help companies identify and manage social impacts in oil and gas projects. In 2003, we are participating in new OGP projects to further promote integration of ESIAs into capital projects.
Future Goals: Establishing Consistent Processes in Upstream Operations
We believe we can more systematically use ESIAs as a tool to improve our project planning, design and execution and to help manage the social and environmental issues in both new projects and ongoing operations. Consequently, in 2002 ChevronTexaco launched an effort to establish a consistent set of ESIA expectations and work processes to apply to its international upstream activities. This work is continuing in 2003.
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In Nigeria, ChevronTexaco uses advanced technology to better monitor our impact on the environment.
Read full case study.
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