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Enbridge in Colombia

Enbridge owns 24.7 per cent of Oleoducto Central S.A. (OCENSA), a consortium that built Colombia’s largest pipeline system, which stretches from oilfields in the central interior of the country to the Caribbean coast. Enbridge provides technical and management services to the pipeline, which has a 550,000 barrels-per-day capacity.

We entered into this investment in 1994 as our first international venture, and Enbridge has since transferred to Colombia technology, skills and technical know-how as well as environment, health and safety standards. Enbridge and its OCENSA partners have taken action in Colombia to create economic, social and environmental value by:

Promoting Human Rights

In cooperation with our OCENSA partners, we have taken action to create awareness, understanding and respect for human rights in Colombia, a long-established democracy but also a country with an ongoing conflict involving guerilla rebel groups and paramilitary groups.


OCENSA's Susan Miller with some of the children from the Medellín kindergarten.

Making a Difference in Colombia
Four years ago, OCENSA provided funding for the construction and operation of a kindergarten in the poorest area of Medellín, Columbia. It has since become an oasis of support for 120 children and their parents.

For most of the children, this school is their first experience with new clothes, running water, books, and a television. They learn about hygiene, children’s rights, how to colour and how to laugh.

“Visiting was an experience so uplifting that it takes my breath away,” said OCENSA’s Susan Miller. “The kids were in lessons when we arrived and slowly emerged from the classroom, shy, tentative and inquisitive. In less than two minutes, they were in our arms, wrapped around our legs and hanging from our shoulders, giggling and grinning. They love to be held, they like to touch your face and they want to whisper little secrets in your ear.”

OCENSA adopted a detailed Human Rights Policy and Code of Conduct in 2004 for all employees to follow. The Human Rights Policy specifically commits OCENSA to respect human rights, and obligates employees and contractors to reject violence and to avoid associating with any of the illegal armed groups that are fuelling Colombia’s ongoing conflict. OCENSA’s Code of Conduct reinforces the Human Rights Policy. All OCENSA employees are required to sign the Code annually to indicate their understanding and acceptance of the Code.

OCENSA has appointed a Human Rights Coordinator, who tracks and audits the company’s human rights practices and monitors employees’ and contractors’ compliance with the Human Rights Policy.

In the last four years, an extensive education and awareness program on human rights has been implemented, with seminars and training programs facilitated by Latin American institutions accredited in human rights. In 2006, the University Sergio Arboleda designed and conducted 12 human rights conferences specifically for OCENSA’s employees and contractors, focusing on increasing knowledge of rights and obligations under international law and the constitution of Colombia.

The OCENSA pipeline traverses an extensive portion of Colombia’s geography, which includes zones of conflict. The Colombian constitution requires energy companies to establish contracts with military personnel as part of the government’s obligation to protect the people who live and work in Colombia, as well as to protect the infrastructure and the resources. In 2006, 1,400 soldiers, airmen and marines from 17 military bases stationed near OCENSA’s pipeline assets participated in our human rights awareness training programs. Since the implementation of these programs, more than 4,000 military personnel have received extensive training, designed to achieve a strict application of international humanitarian law and respectful conduct towards the people in communities close to our facilities.

OCENSA has also conducted human rights workshops and meetings with community leaders in communities along our pipeline right-of-way.

Making CSR a Priority and Engaging Stakeholders

OCENSA is seeing tangible results from its CSR program. Stakeholders are improving the way they live and work. New forests are growing along the OCENSA pipeline right-of-way. OCENSA employees and their families, as well as contractors and communities and other groups we interact with on a daily basis have a greater awareness of the importance of respecting human rights and improving society and the environment. OCENSA will continue to work with these stakeholders. This is a long-term commitment.

Click here for a report from OCENSA on helping communities and individuals.
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Helping communities and individuals

The main objectives of OCENSA’s 2006-2007 Social Action Plan are to improve the welfare of the population, to contribute to stable socio-economic and political conditions and to strengthen the institutional skills for communities within the pipeline’s area of influence.

During 2006, we signed 23 agreements with national, regional and municipal institutions to co-fund, develop and conduct projects aimed at poverty reduction, improved living conditions, community empowerment and strengthening local administration skills. The OCENSA contributions reached 42 per cent of the total agreed value.

The largest investment was in our Rural Habitat Program, which provided new and improved housing conditions as well as potable water supply and appropriate sanitary facilities for 342 rural family houses. Basic education for these families in nutrition, hygiene and home maintenance was a complementary element, designed to increase self sufficiency.

Under our program for institutional strengthening, we signed an accord with the Ministry of Interior and the Antioquia Government to design, install and support an innovative project called the “Antioqueño Justice House.” This facility will provide an alternative community-based justice mechanism. The project is a spearhead of restorative justice with proven results in other zones of conflict throughout the world. It brings all stakeholders together to forge solutions based on forgiveness, repair of harm and reintegration of victims and offenders within the same society.

Along these same lines, in cooperation with the Auditor General of Colombia and the Attorney General of Colombia, we finalized an Action Plan for Royalty Rights in the Morrosquillo Gulf. The purpose of this initiative is to promote transparency and accuracy in the rendering of royalty accounts as well as appropriate social control over investments made with royalty payments.

Click here for a report from OCENSA on emergency preparedness and response.
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Emergency preparedness and response

Emergency preparedness and response programs are a high priority for OCENSA. The company regularly updates its Oil Spill Contingency Plan and provides people in local communities with the training and equipment they require to be effective first responders during emergencies. In 2006, OCENSA reinforced first responder training in 25 locations, and more than 370 people received training in emergency response. In continuation of the ongoing public awareness program of our pipelines and facilities, OCENSA will provide a refresher course on awareness to 234 families in 2006 and 2007. Additional oil spill equipment was purchased to improve the recovery capacity.

Click here for a report from OCENSA on reforestation.
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Reforestation program

As a part of its commitment to the environment, OCENSA has an ongoing program to plant trees along its pipeline right-of-way. To date, about 1,970 hectares (4,870 acres) of trees have been planted. In sensitive shoreline areas, 120 hectares (297 acres) of red mangrove trees, a rare and endangered species, have been planted with the assistance of local communities.

OCENSA has also purchased 167 hectares (462 acres) of high mountain forest and plans to buy an additional 50 hectares (124 acres). OCENSA took this action as part of an agreement with Colombia’s Environment Minister.

Click here for a report from OCENSA on workplace safety.
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Workplace safety

OCENSA’s workforce is focused on injury prevention. In 2006, the company’s days-away injury (DAWC index) registered a rate of 0.23 incidents per 200,000 hours worked.

Click here for a report from OCENSA on the HSE Management System.
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HSE Management System

As confirmed by an independent certified auditor in 2006, since 2004 OCENSA has maintained its certification in ISO 14001:2004 (environmental management system standard) and OHSAS 18001 (an international occupational health and safety management system specification).

Click here for a report from OCENSA on spills and releases.
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Spills and releases

OCENSA reported one oil spill from its pipeline in 2006. The spill was a result of a contractor mistakenly striking a two-inch valve attached to the main line during routine maintenance. The oil was fully recovered and there was no long-term damage to the environment.

 

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