What Are The BES Fundamental Principles for Project Planning and Development Throughout The Asset Lifecycle of Oil and Gas Operations?

Abstract

Abstract IPIECA, the global oil and gas industry association for environmental and social issues, is developing practical guidance that sets out the fundamental aspects of risk, opportunity and impact management for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES) in the oil and gas sector. IPIECA is enabling and informing the sector on how to operate responsibly in any environment, by collecting and summarizing essential BES management fundamentals for business processes and operational practices. Understanding BES issue management principles is fundamental for informing decision-making throughout the asset lifecycle in any type of operation or environment. The guidance will provide the principles and aim to build capacity among members enabling effective application into business processes and operational practices. The information is drawn from sector good practices and collective knowledge, and founded upon six practices: Build BES into their governance and business processesEngage stakeholders and understand their expectations around BESUnderstand BES baselineAssess BES dependencies and potential impactsMitigate and manage BES impacts and identify BES opportunitiesSelect, measure and report BES indicators To promote continual improvement in understanding how oil and gas activities interact with BES and how potential impacts on BES can be managed in a timely and effectively manner, IPIECA is providing an overview of general principles, practices and tools from the sector for each management practice. These include providing the rationale on the management approach, elements of good practices, related company case studies and links to other relevant IPIECA publications and guidance documents. By bringing aspects of risk assessment and impact management for BES together, the oil and gas industry can make informed decisions along key stages of the asset lifecycle. The development and application of this practical guidance aligns with IPIECA and IOGP's commitment to share knowledge, promote good practices and develop actions that will enable the oil and gas sector to continually improve its environmental and social performance. By targeting both a corporate and business level audience, as well as external stakeholders, the document will provide leadership on BES issue management to members and communicate enhanced industry performance externally. In addition to the backing from 36 oil and gas companies through consensus building, IPIECA is developing a document that will act as the definitive guidance for the industry which will encourage consistent and responsible management and reporting of BES issues.