June 2007

Total E&P Congo operates the Republic of the Congo's only oil terminal, which is located in Djeno, around 30 kilometers from the city of Pointe-Noire. Co-owned by ENI, the terminal receives 250,000 barrels of oil per day from the country's producing fields. Every four days, another tanker berths at the loading buoy located 8 kilometers offshore.

Currently equipped with seven tanks providing a total storage capacity of 550,000 cubic meters, the terminal is preparing for the capacity expansions needed to absorb the planned increase in domestic crude oil production. Three new storage tanks will be built in the years ahead, with the first one scheduled for commissioning in 2007. The installation of additional processing lines and the commissioning of a second loading buoy are currently being examined.

Openness and Dialogue

For Total E&P Congo, openness and dialogue are the keys to transforming its relationships with local residents and its approach to local development. Changing behaviors and expectations after 30 years of cohabitation will be a long, complicated process, both for us and for local communities, but clear progress has already been made since the new policy was introduced in 2004.

The process began in 2004 with consultations with the neighboring village community. The new policy is strongly supported by the subsidiary's top management and our commitment is reflected in an in-house working group composed of terminal employees and representatives from the subsidiary's legal, security, HSE, communications and sustainable development departments.

Meetings are now held regularly with administrative authorities and village leaders to encourage information sharing and dialogue, and a newsletter provides an additional source of information about the site's activities.

The Djeno terminal has also used the SRM+ (Stakeholder Relationship Management) method to accurately identify local stakeholders and tailor action plans to their expectations.

Contributing to Local Economic Development

Dialogue and a participatory approach are the guiding principles behind the projects Total E&P Congo undertakes to improve the living conditions of Djeno's population of around 1,500 people.

The company and the community are working together to define and manage activities aiming at bringing sustainable economic development to local residents. For example, the subsidiary helped to create associations of market-gardeners and poultry farmers in partnership with local NGOs.
Particular attention has also been paid to women's projects, with the creation of women-run community banks.

Projects aimed at improving the community's health and well-being are also receiving support. For instance, are working in partnership with the French Red Cross and the Kouilou health authorities to support the community health care center. A network of potable water fountains has also been set up in the village.

The primary objective of these initiatives is to empower individuals and groups and foster the skills they need to implement their projects successfully. In line with this, the subsidiary provides ongoing technical and organizational support to members of the market gardeners' and egg producers' associations, women, and the local health and water committees.