Asset integrity and critical incident management
The Company’s management collectively have over 100 years relevant oil and gas operations experience, including operating onshore and offshore wells and pre-development planning. Asset integrity and critical incident management is a key area of focus for the Company.
Prior to carrying out all field operations an HSE manual is produced which sets out procedures to address any issues arising from a range of possible critical incident, some of which potentially could impact asset integrity. Our operations are directly supervised by management on a day-to-day basis.
Land and resource rights and rights of indigenous peoples
The Company always engages with the owners of the land that it intends to carry out field operations on prior to the commencement of those operations.
Appropriate compensation is paid where it is necessary to construct civil works, including a well pad and access roads, that may result in inconvenience and an alternative use of the land. The intention is always to return the land to its original state.
Consultation with olive tree farmers is carried out to ensure that valuable water resources are not compromised by any of the Company’s operations. Local communities provide the security guards (currently 10) that protect our well sites and storage facilities from unauthorised access. Improvement of the local tracks is welcomed by the community and olive tree growers as it provides improved quality of access for them to essential services and amenities.
Occupational health and safety
All of the Company’s personnel and contractor staff are briefed on health and safety aspects of the Company’s operations prior to the commencement of activities in accordance with the guidelines presented to the relevant local authorities and government regulators.
Non-discrimination and equal opportunity
Gender and ethnic diversity is important to the Company. Key project manager positions in the area of planning of drilling operations and ESG are filled by women. All positions in-country, including country manager, director of local subsidiaries and operational logistics, are filled by indigenous personnel.
Economic impacts and local communities
In 2023 the Company spent 25,855,427 Dirhams in Morocco on local services in relation to the drilling of three wells, MOU-2, MOU-3 and MOU-4 in the area of the Guercif Petroleum Agreement 10 kilometers northwest of Guercif city.
Beneficiaries included civil engineering contractors; field support activities including provision and mobilisation of cabins; provision of Guercif warehouse staff (renting of warehouse in Guercif city); provision of water and waste disposal; fuel supplies; transport and drivers; local hotel accommodation for rig and well services crews; heavy lifting equipment; internet services and provision of office equipment; and accounting and customs administration services. This was a significant boost for the local economy.
Air emissions
The Company operates a business development strategy based on a virtual office concept, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with a fixed office facility by reducing energy consumption and waste. Initial evaluation of sites for potential future operations uses as far as possible drone technology to reduce the carbon footprint on the ground.
Waste, water and effluents and biodiversity
Conservation of the environment is very important to the Company.
Waste disposal is carried out using local approved contractors to protect the environment and ensure a clean operations site at all times. Land use is restored after mud pits required during the drilling operations are filled in. Water disposal is free of effluents in accordance with standards laid down by the pre-drill Environmental Impact Assessment. Natural vegetation is re-established in these areas within one year and potentially over time may or may not contribute to improving biodiversity in an otherwise barren landscape.
Anti-corruption
The Company adopts a zero tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption in whatever form. In 2021 the Company sought advice from the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) on a specific issued related to the public markets. The Company were subsequently recently informed that the FCA concluded that it was not in the public interest to pursue the matter.
We believe it is in the public interest to make this disclosure.
Payment to governments
ONHYM personnel are given access to the Company’s well site operations for promoting skills and competency through training, on-the-job experience and opportunities. The Company pays annual training fees to ONHYM as is a requirement under the Guercif Petroleum Agreement and Moroccan Hydrocarbon Code. ONHYM is a State-owned company.