The potential impact of our activities on biodiversity is systematically factored into the Group’s environmental management system, and biodiversity considerations are reviewed at every stage of operations.

1) During the preliminary phases
Identification of all protected areas or sensitive zones in or close to our planned zone of operations, with the main aim of determining the environmental risks involved in the planned activity.

2) Before any industrial operations begin
The baseline study determines the critical aspects of biodiversity in the zone of operations, with particular emphasis on protected areas and sensitive zones.The environmental impact assessment takes into account all possible impact on biodiversity and specifies the measures necessary to reduce and/or offset that impact.

3) During industrial operations
An Environmental Management System is implemented on site, in order to monitor impact and ensure that all impact minimisation measures are being effective.

4) At site closure
Site rehabilitation is carried out, taking into account the original state of the zone, and its possibilities for re-establishing ecosystems.

A corporate guide for the preservation of biodiversity is being tested, since autumn 2006, on three pilot sites within the Group.

The Yariapo X1 (Bolivia) drilling site during operations

The Yariapo X1 during rehabilitation

Typical biodiversity issues to be considered are :
1. What risks do our operations incur regarding biodiversity ?

2. Are we operating within or near a sensitive zone ?

3. How can we minimise the environmental footprint of our activities ?

4. What measures can we take to offset any possible damage to sensitive zones ( reforestation, creation of natural milieus to enhance the development of rare species, education and training of local populations) ?

5. How can we avoid introducing non-native species ?

6. Who are the local stakeholders and partners likely to participate in our efforts to protect biodiversity ?

7. What kind of positive actions can we undertake for biodiversity in the zones where we are operating ?

8. How can we measure and monitor the impact of our activities on biodiversity ?

9. What potential secondary impacts are our activities likely to generate and what measures can we take to minimise these ?

10. What measures should we be taking to facilitate rehabilitation of the site at  the end of operations ?