Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the Western hemisphere, and it is an important country to StatoilHydro. Our ambition has been to maintain a high activity level, ensuring strong financial performance, while at the same time mitigating adverse impacts on the environment and society, and aiming to increase the shared benefits and opportunities created by our operations.

To contribute to these goals, we drew up a social responsibility plan with associated activities in support of our core operations, based on an open dialogue with host communities and key stakeholders. The plan draws on StatoilHydro policy and requirements for social responsibility and is also aligned with Venezuelan government initiatives and programmes for health, local economic development and the environment. It is also informed by the Millennium Development Goals. In the period 2004-2008, our social investment portfolio has reached approximately 40,000 beneficiaries and nearly 700 organisations. An estimated 200,000 people have benefited indirectly over the four-year period.

The following is a summary of the activities undertaken in the period 2004-2008:

Biodiversity mapping project

In collaboration with the La Salle Foundation, we contributed to a study to map and identify existing animals and biodiversity in the Macareo and Mariusa region, in the Orinoco Delta. The study contains information and recommendations on the use of natural resources in the area and provides guidelines for the promotion of sustainable development of communities and surroundings in the area. Key achievements include the mapping and identification of 23 new types of fauna and the publication of a scientific study to document the findings of the project.

Sustainable water management project

In alliance with the Tierra Viva Foundation, we conducted awareness campaigns and capacity building relating to sustainable water, waste and sanitation management, and we promoted environmental values and habits that benefit the ecosystems. A total of approximately 1500 people in the Delta Amacuro state benefited from the training.

Solid waste handling project

In collaboration with the Tierra Viva Foundation, we sponsored a study in 2004/05 on the consequences of waste disposal for the environment in Pedernales municipality, Delta Amacuro State. The study resulted in recommendations to local authorities on mitigating actions, including engineering designs for improved waste disposal facilities and a plan for managing the impacts associated with the construction of the proposed facilities.

Epidemiology and control of endemic diseases project 

The Warao ethnic group is currently the second largest indigenous group in the country.  In Delta Amacuro state, the Warao make up approximately one fifth of the state's entire population. Despite their relative concentration in the state, however, the Warao tend to be among the more vulnerable populations in the state and the country in general, suffering disproportionately from ill health, including endemic diseases.

In 2004, in support of the Regional Health Directorate of Delta Amacuro State, we began supporting a health programme run by the NGO SOCSAL to create awareness of and improve the prevention of infectious and endemic diseases, particularly in Warao and native Creole communities. In total, 22 communities were targeted, more than 11,000 people participated in the awareness and control (immunisation) campaigns and more than 1,000 medical consultations were conducted.

Agenda Delta: women's economic empowerment productivity project

In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Venezuelan Development Bank for Women (BANMUJER), we supported a project aimed at improving women's productivity and participation in the economy through micro enterprise activities and value chain networks. The project was developed through an open consultation and agenda setting exercise (Agenda Delta) primarily targeting women belonging to the Warao and the Creole people of Delta Amacuro state. Four producer associations have been established to improve collaboration and the bargaining power of the different micro enterprises, and an estimated 350 indigenous and 100 Creole people have benefited from the project.

Local economic development: balance between supply and demand

In our support for generating local economic development, we also contributed to a market analysis on potential opportunities for micro enterprises, and associated capacity-building. Drawing on the recommendations from the study, capacity-building initiatives were initiated, particularly for cooperatives and micro producer associations in the services sector. In total, 52 workshops were held and more than 70 cooperatives were trained, including 248 women. The project was implemented in collaboration with the UNDP and the local NGO SOCSAL.

Educational guide on the culture and customs of the Warao people

We also contributed to the publication of the first educational guide on the Intercultural and Bilingual Warao, documenting the richness of the Warao people, their culture and traditions. The guide aimed to capture the distinct Warao concept of family, their spirituality, economic activities, customs and their cultural and artistic contributions in the form of stories, songs, dances, art, colours and clothes. The study was published in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in the states of Delta Amacuro, Monagas and Sucre.

HIV/AIDS prevention and education project

Since 2004, in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS, we have supported a programme on HIV/AIDS awareness, training and education for children and youth, women and community leaders in the states of Sucre, Delta Amacuro, Anzoátegui and Monagas, as well as in the capital, Caracas. Journalists were also trained as part of the project, using a specially designed training manual, "Communicating on HIV and AIDS", recognising the importance of the media in influencing public perception and awareness of the HIV/AIDS. 

Technology transfer for future generations

Since 2006, we have supported a two-year graduate-level specialisation programme in natural gas engineering at the Universidad Simón Bolívar (USB). The programme is also supported by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The third intake (2008-2010) of 25 students recently enrolled in the programme.

Irapa sustainable fishing project 

In the area of influence of the Plataforma Deltana field, we are also implementing a pilot sustainable fishing project to improve the living conditions of small-scale fishing communities and their surroundings. 

Human rights education programme

In support of human rights, we also contributed to two key projects initiated by the Venezuelan chapter of Amnesty International, on Business and Human Rights for Employees and Contractors, and on the Integration of Disabled Persons. The first project, developed in participation with the Metropolitan University, focused on raising awareness about human rights and labour standards, good entrepreneurship and professional practices among suppliers and contractors. The second project, implemented in collaboration with Chacao Municipality and the Human Rights Centre of the Central University of Venezuela, targeted discrimination against disabled persons and promoted measures to ensure their integration into society. 

Publications

Some of the projects and lessons learned have also been documented in published reports. The following is a selection of them (in Spanish only):

• Guía Pedagógica Warao para la Educación Intercultural Bilingüe (Ministerio de Educación y Deportes, Perenco) Warao and Spanish
• Registro del Proceso Productivo de la Artesanía Warao (Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo, PNUD y  Banco de Desarrollo de la Mujer, Banmujer) English, Warao and Spanish
• Biodiversidad Animal del caño Macareo, Punta Pescador y áreas adyacentes, Delta del Orinoco (Fundación La Salle)
• Agenda de Desarrollo Humano Sostenible Local por la Equidad de Genero del Municipio Pedernales, estado Delta Amacuro (PNUD, Banco de Desarrollo de la Mujer, Banmujer, Ministerio para la Economía Popular)
• Microcadenas Productivas con Equidad de Genero en Guiria, Municipio Valdez (PNUD, Banmujer)
• Manual para talleres de Actividad Empresarial y Derechos Humanos (Amnistía Internacional, Universidad Metropolitana)
• Material de apoyo para Curso Superior Universitario sobre Integración de Personas con Discapacidad (Amnistía  Internacional, Universidad Central de Venezuela)
• Diseño de un Banco de Proyectos Productivos de Inversión en la Alcaldía del Municipio Valdez del estado Sucre (PNUD)
• Estudio Demanda de Bienes y Servicios por parte del sector Público, empresas petroleras y organizaciones privadas y oferta de empresas locales radicadas en Municipio Valdez del estado Sucre. (PNUD)
• Materiales didáctico para comunidades: El Agua y La Basura en el Municipio Pedernales, Delta Amacuro (Fundación Tierra Viva)
• Manual de Participantes para Capacitación de Jueces en Derechos Humanos (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, PNUD, Amnistía Internacional)