Eni says UNESCO World Heritage sites a “No Go” for drilling

Italian offshore oil and gas exploration and production company Eni has formally committed not to carry out oil and gas exploration and development activities within the boundaries of Natural Sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The company Thursday said the “No Go” commitment was an official recognition to a policy that Eni is already following in its operations.  

“This no-go commitment reflects our ambition to be part of the solution to the challenges the world is facing today and help deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Claudio Descalzi, Eni’s Chief Executive Officer.

Below is the text of Eni’s commitment:

“Eni does not conduct oil and gas exploration and development activities within the boundaries of Natural Sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (as of May 31, 2019.)

If we operate (explore, develop and produce) in areas of high biodiversity value, we are committed to the conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) by implementing our management model in compliance with Eni BES Policy.

When we work in joint ventures we do not operate, we are committed to promote with our partners the development and adoption of good management practices in line with our BES Policy.”

With the commitment, Eni has joined oil companies such as Shell, Total, Tullow Oil and Soco, who have made similar commitments.

Back in 2017, the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) issued a report recognizing that many World Heritage sites are impacted by industrial activities and operations, including oil and gas exploration and extraction.

The 2017 report the established position by the World Heritage Committee that mineral, oil and gas exploration or development is incompatible with the World Heritage status.

Worth noting, while some companies have committed not to drill in these fragile areas, some countries, such as Belize, have passed laws banning drilling in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Belize, described as the home of the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, on 29 December 2017, signed into law a moratorium to ban oil exploration and extraction in its waters.

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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