Page 21 - Impiantistica Industriale - Settembre Ottobre 2014
P. 21
is document synthetises the survey economic activities. Economic poverty is at the
conducted by RIE (Ricerche Industriali same time the reflection and cause of energy
ed Energetiche) on the possible local poverty: you cannot fight the first without winning
impact of Oil & Gas (O&G) upstream the second. Another thing altogether is the question
activities on Agriculture, Fishery and of how solve the problem in an environmentally
Tourism (AFT). The study analyses friendly, energetically efficient, economically feasible
arguments put forward by opposition - especially and technologically advanced way. The fact is that,
local - to mining activities, accused of damaging vital like it or not, there is no progress without energy.
economic sectors; the prejudice has contributed to
a discriminatory attitude in large part of the public Italy’s need to exploit its proven and
opinion towards the O&G industry, hindering the possible reserves as an alternative to
exploitation of proven hydrocarbons reserves and import is hindered by arguments on
exploration of probable reserves. RIE economic inevitable damages -not supported by real
analysis and field research show that O&G e AFT data- that would impact AFT sectors
can successfully coexist in the same area, but
also show the need to improve communication The Italian mining industry has developed cutting-
and dialogue between the oil industry and local edge technologies, know-how, procedures which
players to erase the downward spiral of confidence guarantee complete safety and environmental
which prevents a positive relationship between the protection within the constraints of a stringent
sectors. Doubling hydrocarbons production is an regulation; moreover, its trustworthiness is proved
opportunity for our country, its economic growth by all its positive experiences around the world.
and competitiveness, and it can only be done by However, mistrust and opposition towards mining
investing on local development. activity are still widespread in our country.
The survey’s main conclusions are: In Italy, a mining permit out of two is contested.
• there is no proven negative impact of mining The perception is that the mining industry
cannot coexist with traditional economic sectors
activity on AFT sectors; the latter show of the country, in contrast to what happens
similar economic trends, whether there is an in hundreds of other countries where Italian
extraction activity or not in the areas. In some mining companies operate and from where
regions where mining activity is present, AFT they import nearly all the energy Italy needs. In
sectors actually show better performances particular, Agriculture and Fishery sectors are
compared to areas with no mining activity; those who show more general distrust towards
• the energy industry can offer AFT sectors new, mining activities, possibly caused by inadequate
not yet exploited development opportunities; knowledge of mining technologies and of their
profitable forms of collaboration have been impact on the environment. Hydrocarbons
successfully experimented in Italy and abroad: E&P is seen as an environmentally unfriendly
local players have reaped tangible benefits and potentially polluting activity, an enemy that
which have lessened their initial opposition snatches agricultural land and marine areas and
and promoted consensus towards mining pollutes the surrounding eco-system, damaging
activities; the image of areas with tourist potential.
• the hydrocarbons industry should implement Nevertheless, associations representing AFT
communication, willingness to listen and sectors oppose mining activity in ways that
openness guidelines in order to promote trust are different, in terms of form and contents,
and overcome the widespread perception of from those which characterise organised
an impossible coexistence with AFT sectors; protest movements. AFT sectors do not
for oil companies, the challenge is to ensure a completely reject mining activities and are often
better and more open dialogue between O&G overshadowed by more radical movements.
and AFT worlds; They tend to protest only when they feel that
• targeted interventions in favour of AFT sectors their associates’ interests are threatened, but
would demonstrate – as shown by other often end in becoming proactive and cooperative
experiences - the commitment of the O&G to try to find a solution.
industry towards a sustainable development Communications and interactions between parties
of local areas and the possibility of a profitable are therefore key instruments to remove what
coexistence between mining activity and prevents a possible and hoped for mediation.
agriculture, fishery and tourism. Dialogue is the only way to dispel all doubts
expressed by AFT systems; without it, prejudicial
O&G and AFT, a complex distrust towards upstream activities will only
but possible relationship increase (table 1).
Energy is an essential factor for all social and
20 Impiantistica Italiana - Settembre - Ottobre 2014
conducted by RIE (Ricerche Industriali same time the reflection and cause of energy
ed Energetiche) on the possible local poverty: you cannot fight the first without winning
impact of Oil & Gas (O&G) upstream the second. Another thing altogether is the question
activities on Agriculture, Fishery and of how solve the problem in an environmentally
Tourism (AFT). The study analyses friendly, energetically efficient, economically feasible
arguments put forward by opposition - especially and technologically advanced way. The fact is that,
local - to mining activities, accused of damaging vital like it or not, there is no progress without energy.
economic sectors; the prejudice has contributed to
a discriminatory attitude in large part of the public Italy’s need to exploit its proven and
opinion towards the O&G industry, hindering the possible reserves as an alternative to
exploitation of proven hydrocarbons reserves and import is hindered by arguments on
exploration of probable reserves. RIE economic inevitable damages -not supported by real
analysis and field research show that O&G e AFT data- that would impact AFT sectors
can successfully coexist in the same area, but
also show the need to improve communication The Italian mining industry has developed cutting-
and dialogue between the oil industry and local edge technologies, know-how, procedures which
players to erase the downward spiral of confidence guarantee complete safety and environmental
which prevents a positive relationship between the protection within the constraints of a stringent
sectors. Doubling hydrocarbons production is an regulation; moreover, its trustworthiness is proved
opportunity for our country, its economic growth by all its positive experiences around the world.
and competitiveness, and it can only be done by However, mistrust and opposition towards mining
investing on local development. activity are still widespread in our country.
The survey’s main conclusions are: In Italy, a mining permit out of two is contested.
• there is no proven negative impact of mining The perception is that the mining industry
cannot coexist with traditional economic sectors
activity on AFT sectors; the latter show of the country, in contrast to what happens
similar economic trends, whether there is an in hundreds of other countries where Italian
extraction activity or not in the areas. In some mining companies operate and from where
regions where mining activity is present, AFT they import nearly all the energy Italy needs. In
sectors actually show better performances particular, Agriculture and Fishery sectors are
compared to areas with no mining activity; those who show more general distrust towards
• the energy industry can offer AFT sectors new, mining activities, possibly caused by inadequate
not yet exploited development opportunities; knowledge of mining technologies and of their
profitable forms of collaboration have been impact on the environment. Hydrocarbons
successfully experimented in Italy and abroad: E&P is seen as an environmentally unfriendly
local players have reaped tangible benefits and potentially polluting activity, an enemy that
which have lessened their initial opposition snatches agricultural land and marine areas and
and promoted consensus towards mining pollutes the surrounding eco-system, damaging
activities; the image of areas with tourist potential.
• the hydrocarbons industry should implement Nevertheless, associations representing AFT
communication, willingness to listen and sectors oppose mining activity in ways that
openness guidelines in order to promote trust are different, in terms of form and contents,
and overcome the widespread perception of from those which characterise organised
an impossible coexistence with AFT sectors; protest movements. AFT sectors do not
for oil companies, the challenge is to ensure a completely reject mining activities and are often
better and more open dialogue between O&G overshadowed by more radical movements.
and AFT worlds; They tend to protest only when they feel that
• targeted interventions in favour of AFT sectors their associates’ interests are threatened, but
would demonstrate – as shown by other often end in becoming proactive and cooperative
experiences - the commitment of the O&G to try to find a solution.
industry towards a sustainable development Communications and interactions between parties
of local areas and the possibility of a profitable are therefore key instruments to remove what
coexistence between mining activity and prevents a possible and hoped for mediation.
agriculture, fishery and tourism. Dialogue is the only way to dispel all doubts
expressed by AFT systems; without it, prejudicial
O&G and AFT, a complex distrust towards upstream activities will only
but possible relationship increase (table 1).
Energy is an essential factor for all social and
20 Impiantistica Italiana - Settembre - Ottobre 2014
