RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Chevron operates Boscan field, an approximately 115,000 barrel per day heavy oil production operation near Lake Maracaibo in Western Venezuela. Most of Boscan occupies a heavily modified agricultural landscape, but several individuals have recognized portions of the field as providing important habitat for migratory birds and other species. For this reason, Chevron hired a well-known Venezuelan research institute, Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales (FLASA), to conduct a biodiversity assessment of the field. One of the first of its kind in the Lake Maracaibo basin, the assessment found that portions of the field support valuable habitats (including relict tropical dry forests, gallery forests, and seasonal wetlands) and a large number of plant and animal species (including many which are endemic to the Lake Maracaibo basin). Chevron is using results of the assessment to develop a biodiversity action plan for the field. Major components of the plan include: generating a map of sensitive habitats, increasing awareness of biodiversity within the local business unit, managing the footprint of oil and gas operations to minimize impact to sensitive habitats, and engaging local landowners to encourage biodiversity conservation.
Introduction
Biological diversity (biodiversity) is the diversity of life on earth, including species, habitats, and the ecological processes that support them. It is the basis for life on earth. Humans are highly dependent on biodiversity to provide essential and economically valuable products and services such as food, shelter, clothing, medicines, and fuel.
There has been growing concern about global biodiversity loss in recent years. In conjunction with climate change, many academics, policy makers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) regard this issue as the pre-eminent global environmental challenge facing our society. Accordingly, there is increased attention on the causes of biodiversity loss and the potential contribution of industry activity to this trend.
Oil and gas operations may affect biodiversity through a variety of mechanisms, including both direct impacts (e.g., physical footprint) and secondary impacts (e.g., enabling access to previously inaccessible areas). Chevron recognizes this potential and views biodiversity protection as having important environmental value. Biodiversity protection also can provide significant social and economic benefits, particularly for local communities. This is especially apparent in developing countries where people's livelihoods are often closely linked with biodiversity (e.g., through subsistence agriculture and fishing).
Protecting the environment, including local biological diversity, is one of Chevron's core values. Chevron supports biodiversity conservation through a variety of ways, including company decision-making and management processes; external partnerships and charitable contributions; internal and external communication to raise awareness about biodiversity; and promotion of best practices in biodiversity conservation. Chevron works to protect sensitive species and habitats around our operations. Biodiversity protection is being integrated into the Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS), Chevron's systematic approach to manage health, safety, environment, reliability, and efficiency. We are engaged in a variety of efforts to increase corporate-wide awareness of biodiversity, enhance performance, and foster engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Chevron is a member of the Energy and Biodiversity Initiative (EBI), a collaborative initiative among energy companies (BP, Chevron, Shell, and Statoil) and conservation NGOs (Conservation International, Flora and Fauna International, The World Conservation Union, the Nature Conservancy, and the Smithsonian Institution). The objective of the EBI is to promote integration of biodiversity conservation into oil and gas development.