How to deal with 'greens'

David Knott
London
[email protected]

Environmental protest groups, in particular Greenpeace, have been dominating the public debate in Europe recently about the effects of the petroleum industry on society.

The Brent spar protest of 1995 was a massive success for the "greens." Shell U.K. Exploration & Production was forced to abandon its dumping plan in face of pressure from the public and foreign governments.

Since then, Greenpeace has campaigned doggedly against oil field developments in U.K.'s West of Shetlands area. It is difficult for petroleum companies to know what to do in response.

Oil companies are often portrayed as secretive, powerful organizations. The greens have good intentions, popular ideals, and even a touch of derring-do and glamour on their sides.

London-based Oil Industry International Exploration & Production Forum (E&P Forum) is an industry lobbying group that is one of the organizations carrying the fight for the petroleum industry.

John Campbell, technical director of E&P Forum, believes oil companies will have to be more welcoming "...to people who want to poke their noses in..." if they are to improve their reputation.

Media advice

"Oil industry has been stumbling to get to grips with this unwanted attention," said Campbell, "but companies are becoming more open across the board.

"For one company to be open and seen to be talking about issues makes it seem more friendly in the eyes of the public. And this will generate a competitive edge for it."

Campaign groups will no longer let issues pass by lightly, warns Campbell, and are likely to mark each new perceived threat from the petroleum industry with some form of protest.

Yet Campbell said that currently there is no industry organization offering guidelines to companies on presenting a good public image, in the face of what they may feel are illogical protests.

"We have taken this message on board," said Campbell, "and are looking to appoint an expert soon. Guidelines on dealing with the media and pressure groups may be one result. We've been dealing more with the press recently in the hope they will come to us more readily to discuss future events."

Informed debate

E&P Forum's approach of late has been to disseminate information about industry issues, such as abandonment or pollution.

The intention is to make sure that any subsequent debate is informed at all times.

"Meanwhile, industry will have to look carefully-and not too confrontationally-at things that threaten the way it operates at present," said Campbell.

As an example of this approach, he cites publication of guidelines for oil companies, in cooperation with the World Conservation Union, for onshore operations in arctic regions.

"We are hoping to publish similar guidelines for offshore operations soon," said Campbell. "We have no problems discussing issues with environmental groups. Whether we will have to agree to differ is another matter.

"Whatever the case, there are things we can learn from them. We do need to listen to what environmental groups are saying. And if they say things we haven't thought of before, we must not be too proud to admit it."