What does it mean to return value to people’s lives? How do you create a better world? As global demand for petroleum products drives oil and gas exploration into some of the most remote and less developed regions of the world, these questions hold even more significance than perhaps ever before.
Setting up and operating oil and gas facilities in frontier countries — those that are smaller and have less advanced economies than developed ones, such as Mozambique or Uganda — come with tremendous challenges. They also come with untold opportunities to bring new sources of natural resources to global commodity markets and give back to local communities beyond the life of a project.
Gone are the days when operators merely had to pay taxes to operate on a country’s soil or shores. Local or national content — the transfer and development of skills, knowledge and technology to local communities — is the new global focus.
Initially centred on basic job creation, local content policies have steadily evolved in mature and more recently in emerging and frontier markets to include wider social and environmental responsibilities for operators to meet if they wish to gain their ordinary and social licences to operate. Today, oil and gas companies need to show commitment to improving and sustaining local lives to be truly successful.
In this publication you’ll hear from experts across our Europe, Middle East, India and Africa team on the opportunities and challenges ahead for operators in frontier countries as the industry becomes more socially responsible; why it’s important to factor in the future from the start when building project infrastructure to ensure sustainable development; and the innovative process that looks at how the environmental impacts of an oil and gas project can affect human wellbeing.
Today’s operators also face increasing pressure to contribute to a greener future. What are some of the leading and emerging trends, challenges and opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage waste sustainably?
AECOM has a deep understanding of regulations and policies in the countries where our clients work, no matter how remote or emerging. We can recommend and implement the right international industry standards to ensure energy developments are delivered efficiently and safely.
This is a journey that will evolve over time. Through strong partnerships we can help international oil and gas companies build local capacity, transfer skills and knowledge and contribute to long-term environmental protection and restoration, adding real value to communities in some of the least developed countries, with the ultimate goal of helping to create a better world.
John Damanti
Vice President Oil, Gas, Chemicals
Europe, Middle East, Africa & India
