Managing community engagement
ExxonMobil works in communities all over the world, each with their own unique cultures, needs and sensitivities. We strive to have a positive impact on the individual communities in which we live and operate. We believe proactively man- aging potential issues, while also enhancing community bene- fits, is integral to developing long-term, positive relationships. ExxonMobil believes a consistent approach helps our employees, contractors and partners effectively manage socioeconomic issues. We use our Upstream Socioeconomic Management Standard to identify potential socioeconomic impacts and their associated risks early in the Upstream asset life cycle, and then develop and implement appropriate avoidance, reduction, remedy and monitoring measures. In 2010, ExxonMobil established a socioeconomic management center of expertise (COE) to ensure a systematic approach to a dynamic and evolving arena. The COE utilizes a functional advisory team with various representatives from relevant company business lines, such as procurement, treasurers, land, security, medical and occupational health, and public and government affairs. The advisory team meets semiannually to review and discuss strategy, alignment and direction regarding socioeconomic considerations. The COE also meets with our External Citizenship Advisory Panel annually to review initiatives and gain insights and direction for future efforts. Further, a socioeconomic management course regarding implementation of the Upstream Socioeconomic Manage- ment Standard and its elements is held twice a year. This course has provided a forum for more than 100 ExxonMobil employees from 18 countries to collaborate as well as exchange ideas and lessons learned. We have found that in order to optimize opportunities for creating and enhancing positive socioeconomic effects and to successfully implement appropriate risk management measures, identifying actual and potential impacts early is essential.
The Hebron project under construction in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Up Close: The Hebron project in Canada Located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the Hebron project is estimated to produce more than 700 million barrels of recoverable resources over the next 30 years. The project requires a number of components, including a gravity- based structure (GBS) that stands on the seafloor and supports the topsides modules, which contain living quarters and drilling and processing operations. Several of these components are being built at Bull Arm, one of Hebron’s main construction sites in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2009, a number of programs have evolved from our ongoing community consultation, including construction site tours and ocean education programs. The project launched a public tour program in 2013, through which more than 2,600 visitors have taken bus tours of the Bull Arm construction site. The tour route includes a view of the camp facilities and two lookout points: one overlooking the former dry dock area and the second overlooking the deepwater site. A dedicated tour facilitator accompanies each group and provides a safety overview, history of the site and an overview of activities to date for both the GBS and topside modules.
Through our consultation with various community groups in Newfoundland and Labrador, we learned of a common desire to increase the public’s ocean awareness and education. In response, project personnel worked with local organizations to develop ocean education programs that support science education while reflecting the local community’s oceanic culture and economy. Contributions made by the project also facilitated the establishment of the Oceans Learning Partnership, a multi- stakeholder organization dedicated to enhancing the awareness and interest in the ocean and ocean-related careers among the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2012, the Hebron project funded the “Floating Classroom,” a 42-foot-long, state-of-the-art research vessel designed to help K–12 students develop skills in oceanographic, biological and meteorological fields. The program engages students through hands-on learning experiences at sea, including identifying marine species and habitats and measuring water quality and weather conditions. The project also contributed to the establishment of the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, a seasonal small-scale aquarium that showcases marine life found in Newfoundland’s coastal waters. As a seasonal program, all of the marine life in the tanks is returned to the local waters at the end of each season. In each of its first three years of operation, more than 17,000 people have visited the aquarium.
Community and social impact exxonmobil.com/citizenship
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