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In 2005, Occidental Andina, LLC, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy) collaborated with Ecopetrol S.A., a Colombian state oil company, and International Alert, a London-based conflict resolution and peace building NGO, to develop a socially responsible enhanced oil recovery project.

To assure positive impacts to the local community, to comply with Ecopetrol’s
Integral Responsibility Policy, and to meet Oxy’s human rights policy, the parties used a toolkit developed by International Alert. The project provided an opportunity for Oxy and Ecopetrol to develop experience with this innovative social assessment methodology and for International Alert to “road test” the tool.

The collaboration and partnership effectively addressed social and environmental issues, including the community’s interest in employment, business opportunities, safety and water supply, which are recognized and reflected in business plans and incorporated into the management system. This collaborative model has since been adopted by other projects in the country – the partnership with the NGO continues and the risk assessment methods are now being utilized in other locations in Colombia.