We believe that being a responsible and welcome member of the communities in which we operate is an essential part of our business strategy. Strong and transparent relationships with communities, based on trust and respect, allow the Company to effectively and efficiently carry out operations to the mutual benefit of the Company and our neighbours. Our commitment to community relationships is based on community consultation, local benefits and respecting diverse cultures.
Community Consultation in North America
Talisman’s consultations with communities throughout North America are supported by and carried out in a manner consistent with the Company’s Community Relations Principles and Aboriginal Relations Guidelines.
Talisman respects stakeholder concerns regarding its unconventional activity, including the use, sourcing, treatment and disposal of water as well as overall surface impacts, such as increased road use, dust and noise. Talisman’s environmental management plans define the environmental issues associated with its unconventional plays and outline how the Company plans to mitigate these concerns. Talisman’s community relations programs establish an internal code of conduct for Talisman employees and contractors, defining how the Company will manage impacts such as additional truck traffic, speed, routing and overall safety issues. Talisman’s local economic engagement plans define the economic opportunities associated with its unconventional plays and examine all linkages with local contractors and service providers, resulting in active community participation in projects.
Community Consultation in Peru
Talisman has operated interests in four onshore blocks located in the Marañon Basin in northern Peru. In 2008, Talisman conducted aeromagnetic surveys in Block 134 and began evaluating an earlier discovery in Block 64.
In December 2007, Talisman became the new operator of Block 64 and immediately
initiated consultation and dialogue with the communities impacted by the Company’s proposed 2008-2009 exploratory drilling program. Seven communities, represented by the indigenous Achuar Federation of Situche and Anas of Morona (FASAM), were identified as being directly or indirectly impacted by the project. This consultation led to a four-month negotiation process whereby land access, compensation and bilateral code of conduct agreements signed with the previous operator were renegotiated. The agreements wereultimately ratified by a two-thirds majority by each community in June 2008. These same communities have permitted access to their lands and received compensation for oil exploration activity since 2003.
Talisman continues to engage with a number of organizations in North and South America regarding its activities in Peru to understand issues and receive feedback on how to improve its operations and practices. Representatives of Amazon Watch met with Talisman’s President and CEO in Calgary in April 2008. As a direct result of this meeting, Talisman committed in writing that the Company will not work in Peru in areas in which it does not have an agreement with the community. The Company is living by this commitment and has the full support of the communities impacted by its operations.
In response to feedback from stakeholders that the Company’s consultation efforts were too narrowly focused, Talisman expanded its process by hosting informative workshops and face-to-face meetings in broader indigenous communities and surrounding centres. In August 2008, Talisman invited a wide range of stakeholders including NGOs and representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, the Peruvian Regional Government and the Canadian Embassy to visit Block 64 to see the management of impacts first-hand.
Community Consultation in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Talisman’s 2008 community consultation and development activities supported its offshore seismic exploration program near the island of Sulawesi. While the seismic program was conducted distant from shore, the program was carried out in traditional fishing areas where fish traps called rumpons were removed to prevent damage to both the rumpons and seismic arrays. Extensive baseline assessment and community consultation work was carried out prior to agreement on compensation with the affected fishermen.
Prior to seismic operations, Talisman hired a third party to conduct a pre-scouting survey to identify rumpon locations and traffic routes and assess sea current conditions. Talisman conducted door-to-door visits with rumpon owners and fishermen to gain an understanding of their concerns and to explain the Company’s exploration and compensation plans. The successful engagement resulted in minimal disruptions to the communities, fair compensation to affected stakeholders and the temporary removal of only 53 rumpon devices in the sea.
