Summary
As one of the leading oil and gas companies in the world, Eni has always operated with full respect for the culture, society, and environment of each country in which it works. Through the work of its affiliate companies, the Eni Group pursues an active policy of involvement and cooperation that aims at contributing to the overall socioeconomic well-being of the communities with which it interacts.
In Ecuador, Eni's affiliate, Agip Oil Ecuador B.V. (AOE), is the operator of Block 10 in the Ecuadorian Amazon region and is faced with a number of critical environmental, social, and health issues involving indigenous communities. Most of these communities belong to the Quichua ethnic group with other groups, like the Huaorani and Shuar-Ashuar, also represented. AOE's health programs cover more than 6,000 people, involving some 3,000 colonists.
The program is now in full development since its original inception more than 2 years ago (1999). It aims at protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for the inhabitants of more than 24 indigenous communities by providing primary health care. AOE has a comprehensive environmental-protection program as well as social and health programs. Agip is involved in disease prevention and control, health education, basic sanitation and safe water distribution, vaccination, nutrition, maternal and child care, treatment of common disease and injuries, access to essential medicines, and emergency medical evacuation. In addition, a new program is now being implemented to preserve the local tradition of natural medicine.
AOE's program is supported by the local branch of the Ministry of Health and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such INNFA (Inst. Nacional del Niño y la Familia) and SNEN (The Natl. Malaria Eradication Inst.).
As a result, this program has successfully reduced the morbidity and mortality rate in the region. At the same time, it protects the delicate environment of the Amazon region surrounding Block 10 and its area of influence, always respecting the culture and traditions of the people.
Introduction
Imagine yourself in a hot, thick jungle. Every direction, nothing but green. The trees, some of them 10 stories high, create a roof. Every where you hear birds and see butterflies. Once in a while you might run across Indian villages, people whose ancestors have lived here for centuries.
Welcome to Ecuador's Oriente. Under this thick green cover, there are vast oil reserves, a valuable commodity that is making Ecuador a world player in the 21st century.
In July 1988, Arco Oriente Inc. along with its partner, Agip Petroleum Ecuador Ltd., signed a "Service Contract for Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons in Block 10 of Ecuador's Amazon Region" with the Ecuadorian government. Block 10 is located in the Pastaza Province in the rain forest area known as the Oriente. In 1992, the discovery of a major petroleum reserve at a site called Villano was announced. In February 2000, Agip Oil Ecuador B.V. took more than 100% of the asset to become the operator of Block 10. The field was developed into one of the most innovative oil projects in the world today.
The Villano project, now a reality, proves how modern technology can also be used to protect the environment. The proof shows how a major integrated oil company like Eni, of which Agip Oil Ecuador is an upstream affiliate, can play a role in promoting the well-being and development of the native people. Agip and the Ecuadorian government are working jointly to bring prosperity and stability to the region.
From the very beginning, we knew this would be an environmental challenge. This area is known around the world for its biological diversity and is relatively untouched by logging or agricultural activities. Something creative needed to be done to protect this natural resource. Agip was concerned about the effect its operations would have on the local communities. Approximately 1,400 people live within the Block, while another 1,800 are in villages along the 135 km of secondary pipeline. Approximately 17 small villages of the Quichua Indian ethnic group and 7 of the Huaorani Indian ethnic group are located near the Villano operation areas. Agip committed to helping these people improve their standard of living, an effort that has proven to be challenging and very rewarding at the same time.
Who are these indigenous people?
The Quichua.
These people are the result of mixing several ethnic subgroups of the Ecuadorian Amazonia. Some of these are the Zaparos, Canelos, Achuar, and Quichuas from the northern Napo Province and the Andean region of the country. Mixing occurred as a result of extensive cross-marriages among the different ethnic subgroups and has led, from a linguistic point of view, to the acceptance of the Quichua dialect as the official language. Their society is based on the concept of the extended family, including all members that are related by blood. An extended family or two usually form communities joined by marital ties. The Quichuas are, therefore, a cultural mix between the Amazon and Andean regions of Ecuador with strong influence from Western society.1
The Huaorani.
This is a unique ethnic group comprising approximately 1,300 members living in approximately 17 different communities. Seven of these communities are located within the area of influence in the northern limit of Block 10. Traditionally, the Huaoranis have been warriors - aggressive, very unpredictable, and territorial.
