Stakeholder engagement for growth projects
Our approach
Our goal is to establish positive and lasting relationships with communities located near where we explore and develop oil and natural gas resources throughout Canada. Engaging in open and honest communication helps us understand their perspective on issues that matter to both of us, and also deal constructively with differing views.
What we are doing
Updating our Aboriginal neighbours on Kearl construction
Working with local communities is vital to Kearl's project success. Because Kearl sits on traditional land, it is important that we respect and understand the priorities of the local communities as we continue to build this oil sands project.
We have established advisory committees with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation as well as an elders’ council with the Fort McKay First Nation. These groups, which include Imperial staff and community residents, allow our Aboriginal neighbours to have ongoing communication with Imperial on the project and its impacts. In 2010, seven meetings were held with the advisory committees and the elders’ group. Our meetings enabled us to update them on our project plans and how we are planning to address environmental impacts. Much of our discussions focused on our plans to withdraw water from the Athabasca River and how the company monitors for environmental impacts.
As part of ongoing consultation, we also continued to provide site tours to elders and other members of these communities. The tours provide an opportunity for them to see our project work first-hand and ask questions, and for us to learn from our neighbours. In 2010, we held three tours of Kearl.
We also held 21 meetings with the industry relations corporations serving the five First Nations in the region as well as Métis locals and band-owned companies. The meetings allowed us to review our plans for seismic work and exploration drilling in early 2011 and discuss employment opportunities.
Participating in multi-stakeholder forums in northern Alberta
Imperial participates in a number of multi-stakeholder committees in the Fort McMurray region. These groups provide an important means for industry to work with government, communities and others to address environmental and social issues related to oil sands development.
A key example is the Cumulative Effects Management Association (CEMA). Formed in partnership with the Alberta government, CEMA provides recommendations to regulators on how to best manage the cumulative impacts of industrial development and protect the environment. As an organization represented by multi-stakeholders, CEMA has been instrumental in developing and updating best practice documents regarding oil sands reclamation. We have been involved with CEMA since 2005, and in 2010 joined CEMA's board as an industry representative.
We also participate in other multi-stakeholder initiatives:
- Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) and the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) collect information on water and air quality and make this information available to the public.
- Oil Sands Developers Group (OSDG) represents operators and developers, and works in cooperation with other stakeholder groups on oil sands development issues. In 2010, we collaborated with other OSDG members to promote effective water management practices.
Meeting with stakeholders in Horn River
We are working with First Nations, government and communities to share information and answer questions about our shale gas exploration program in the Horn River Basin in northeast British Columbia.
In 2010, we opened a regional office in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, to help build relationships with our neighbours. Regional staff took a lead role in community engagement by providing information about our activities and advancing regional employment and business opportunities.
During the year, we met regularly with Fort Nelson First Nation representatives and held an open house in the community to discuss project activities and listen to concerns. Community leaders have asked us for our support in creating more opportunities for First Nation-owned businesses. In 2010, this resulted in Imperial hiring a band-owned joint venture to provide services to our base camp.
As a member of the Horn River Basin Producers Group, we helped fund an Energy Services BC procurement office in Fort Nelson. This office acts as a liaison between oil and gas producers, and local businesses and contractors. In 2010, we met with this agency to identify business development opportunities and learn about contractor services in the region. We also participated in the Fort Nelson Energy Expo, which brings together oil and gas companies and local businesses.
Holding community meetings in Beaufort Sea region
The Ajurak-Pokak joint venture had an active consultation program with local communities on potential exploration plans for the offshore exploration licences.
In 2010, consultation meetings were held in six local Inuvialuit communities to engage wildlife harvesters, business owners, elders and youth. We also conducted workshops on topics of specific interest to the company and communities including waste management, wildlife harvesting and oil spill response.
One area of concern identified by the communities during the wildlife harvesting workshop was the potential for our exploration plans to affect the annual Beluga whale harvest in the Mackenzie estuary. Understanding this issue fully through frank and open consultations with Inuvilauit hunters and trappers will allow Imperial reduce or eliminate any adverse impact on this important community activity. Mitigation measures that could be incorporated into the project design include limited access to harvest areas, timing restrictions on using certain areas to avoid the harvest and a plan for communications with hunters throughout our field operations.