Oil companies collaborate with communities

Hydrocarbon exploration and production activities, whether in offshore provinces or inland, leave traces. Since 2014, a total of 11 private companies, which arrived after the energy reform, have executed more than 50 projects that impact communities in 24 states of the Republic in the social and environmental field, so that its legacy to the country goes beyond the extraction of hydrocarbons and the inevitable environmental externalities that this activity embodies.

“In only seven years, regardless of the stage in which each one is (be it exploration, development or production), companies have deployed projects that meet different objectives: boost the talent of those who want to dedicate their professional careers to the energy sector, empower women and mothers to start their own business or professionalize their skills, strengthen basic and health services, accelerate economic recovery, seek environmental conservation, protection of endangered species and preservation cultural heritage, among many others”, according to the Mexican Association of Hydrocarbon Companies (Amexhi).

Among the projects related to education, there is “Schools that Learn” by the winner of the farm out in deep waters in association with Pemexthe australian BHPwhich is implemented in Tampico, Ciudad Madero and Altamira, Tamaulipas, in which through joint work, a comprehensive pedagogical strategy based on innovative techniques and good practices was designed.

It is aimed at students of basic and upper secondary education from 18 schools (one primary, thirteen secondary and four high schools), primary caregivers and teachers and directors of basic and upper secondary education from 17 schools (eight secondary and nine high schools) in the communities from Altamira, Tampico and Ciudad Madero.

There is also the Social Management Program for the sustainable development of the coastal strip of the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco, where the US Chevron It is aimed at the child population, facilitating the interaction of parents, children, teachers, fishermen and authorities in awareness-raising actions and collective work that promote historical, economic, environmental and family values ​​for the sustainable development of the lagoon. For this, two drawing contests were held: one on the natural wealth and another on the ecosystem services of the Mecoacán lagoon. There were also 17 itinerant workshops in open spaces with 305 children and 41 adults from six primary and secondary schools.

La Malaya Petronasthrough its presence in Mexico through its subsidiary PC Explore, develops the Let’s Talk English program in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, in which a group of 84 students were selected, who were evaluated through an online exam and interviews conducted by professors from the British Council. The result of this evaluation was a group of 55 students who, in turn, were interviewed in English by the PC Carigali Mexico Operations Institutional Relations team. The intention, in addition to allowing university students to have an experience similar to that of a job interview, was to find out their attitude and motivation to be part of the program based on the company’s corporate values.

In aspects related to the economy of families, the so-called “Access to a dignified life” stands out, of the consortium between Argentina Hokchi Energy, in Tabasco, which seeks to create the conditions for a local child to have access to a dignified life, with equal opportunities in terms of health, education and recreation.

As for environmental preservation projects, there is that of the Mexican Jaguar Energy, which consists of supporting the preservation of the jaguar in Mexico and takes place in Yagul, Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca. In addition, the participation in the release of the jaguars Celestún Petén and Nicté Ha in Solferino, Quintana Roo.

“The development would be incomplete if it does not translate into the growth of the communities and a positive and sustainable impact of the activities of the industry. This is how the Mexican legal framework provides for it by including the social perspective, through instruments such as the payment of considerations for occupation and use of the land, and a percentage of the income derived from projects that reach commercial extraction, whether they come from contracts or assignments”, said Rogelio Hernández Cázares, former president of the CNH, regarding these programs.

karol.garcia@eleconomista.mx