Engaging with communities along pipeline routes
A special committee is helping to boost pipeline security by engaging with communities where we operate
The Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) and South Caucasus pipelines (SCP) pipelines carry oil and natural gas across Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, passing hundreds of remote settlements along the way. Both pipeline projects had broad support in these local communities during their planning and construction phases. Building on this support has been essential as the pipelines moved from planning to construction to daily operations, including tight security.
In 2006 BP set up a committee to promote a structured dialogue with communities along the pipeline corridors. Known as the inter-agency security committee, it brought together representatives from local police forces, government agencies along with security officers and trained community liaison officers representing BP.
In 2006 BP set up a committee to promote a structured dialogue with communities along the pipeline corridors. Known as the inter-agency security committee, it brought together representatives from local police forces, government agencies along with security officers and trained community liaison officers representing BP.
Throughout the year, the committee held meetings with resident groups and distributed brochures explaining the security operations necessary to protect the pipelines. The idea was that increased transparency about the nature of the security required would lead to open dialogue and trust.
In 2007 the committee’s activities expanded further, with 6,000 villagers attending group meetings with its members. Pipeline technicians were also present at the meetings, to answer questions about the day-to-day task of maintaining the pipelines, and also to hear what local people had to say.
In 2007 the committee’s activities expanded further, with 6,000 villagers attending group meetings with its members. Pipeline technicians were also present at the meetings, to answer questions about the day-to-day task of maintaining the pipelines, and also to hear what local people had to say.
As a result of this engagement, complaints received at the pipeline offices in Baku dropped, and any complaints received have been dealt with more quickly, because a dialogue already exists. The community meetings have also given BP valuable insights into the views held among local communities.
Related links
The journey of the BTC and SCP pipelines
Some of the world’s largest oil and gas projects are coming to fruition in Azerbaijan
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