In which regions of Kazakhstan the "Chevron" company is working?
The “Chevron” company is the leading private oil company successfully doing business in Kazakhstan for the past twenty years, and currently owns shares in two largest oil projects of the country - Tengiz in Atyrau region (50%) and Karachaganak fields in Western Kazakhstan region (18%). "Chevron" is also the largest private shareholder of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (15%), and owns a factory of plastic pipes in Atyrau (100%).
Are you engaged only in oil production and its refinery or you also working in other areas of the energy industry?
The company believes that alternative and renewable energy sources will play a role in meeting energy needs in the future and we're constantly working to develop alternative energy sources, including geothermal, solar, wind, biofuels energy, fuel cells, solar cells, hydrogen fuel for transport and energy technologies.
In Kazakhstan, our work also extends beyond oil and gas projects. Currently, "Chevron" is investing in the renewable energy sector, particularly in wind energy. The benefits of using wind energy are undeniable. It is clean, abundant and renewable. Electric power is generated without consuming any other natural resources, and without generating of greenhouse gases.
Over the past two years, "Chevron" has evaluated several sites in different regions of Kazakhstan, which were suitable for the construction of wind-powered generating plant. As a result, a site near the Yereimentau town in the Akmola region, located 150 km north-east of the Astana city has been selected. The project entitled “Wind-powered generating plant Samal” is the first object of the "Chevron" on development of wind power outside the United States, and one of the first wind-powered generating plants in Kazakhstan. Its design capacity is not less than 30 MV. "Samal" will be one of the biggest projects with foreign investment in the Akmola region. The project, which is now at the initial stage of evaluation, supports the strategic initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the use of renewable energy sources.
When did the tradition of improving the infrastructure of the regions where your company is working arise?
Social partnership, respect for different cultures and concern for the welfare of the citizens of the countries where the "Chevron" company carries out its business are integral parts of our business. Social programs aimed at the development of human and institutional capacities of the population of countries and regions in which we operate - are the creation of workplaces, development of new skills and improving the quality of life of local people.
Over the past two decades "Chevron" company and its subsidiaries “Tengizchevroil” (TCO) and the "Karachaganak Petroleum Operating" (KPO) invested more than $ 500 million in the social sector all over Kazakhstan. In addition, the "Chevron" initiated and continues to carry out long-term social programs that benefit the different regions of the country - in the fields of education, professional development, meet the urgent needs of the population, the development of small and medium-sized businesses.
Tradition of philanthropy has a long history and is widely developed abroad. Does the situation change in this field of charitable activities?
In the world a number of investors requiring from corporations socially responsible behavior and investments in companies that behave responsibly not only in the sphere of industrial activity, but also in the social sphere is steadily growing. The research results indicate that there is a direct link between undermine the reputation of the company which do not comply with ethical requirements and reducing of a price of its shares.
World experience shows that companies that were released on the world's stock markets must meet financial, environmental and social expectations of society. In other words, the company needs to develop its business ethics and do volunteer contribution to the development of society that goes beyond the legal minimum: be responsible, business partner, employer, citizen and member of social relationships.
It should be noted that in general the social responsibility of business in the world has gone through several stages of evolution - from the implementation of a purely contractual obligations through corporate philanthropy to corporate responsibility and to its highest form - a global corporate citizenship.
How do you choose projects to improve the lives of people in those regions, where are you working?
First of all, it should be noted that the representation of "Chevron" company in Kazakhstan operates its own social initiatives in addition to large-scale social programs of its subsidiaries TCO and KPO. Social programs of the company are carried out in three main areas:
• Meeting basic human needs
• Education and training
• Development of small and medium-sized businesses
In the early years of independence of Kazakhstan the "Chevron" programs were charitable in nature, aimed primarily at meeting the most pressing needs of the community in education, health and social protection. "Chevron" was the first foreign company which carried out targeted assistance to veterans of war and labor, as well as to the workers on the home front. We organized festive meetings and concerts in honor of the Victory Day, delivered food baskets, provide vouchers to sanatoriums, ennobled territories and did a lot of other good deeds to support our veterans.
We continued to implement social programs and assistance to vulnerable populations, but at the same time realize that this kind of support cannot have the long-term prospects for sustainable development. Therefore, we decided not only to help people meet their basic needs, but also help to ensure that people have formed new skills and knowledge through which they could manage their own destinies.
Thus, by the early 2000s, we logically come to new approaches in our social programs - assistance through the development of new knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals and organizational capacity of civil society organizations. Time has proved the correctness of the new approach.
Today, as a result of the new strategy, our programs help pupils of orphanages and boarding schools in receipt of the first in their life career guidance, that their future career choices were conscious and demand. We provide support to unemployed women in the development of specialties in demand in today's job market. We help pupils and students by providing them educational grants and equipment, and encourage their innovative ideas and inventions in the field of environmental protection and energy saving. Our company is making a significant contribution to the protection of the rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, supporting craftsmen and merchants to improve the quality of their products, and provides them with microcredit, helps to build their own businesses and conduct a competent marketing.
Is the “Chevron” company itself engaged in these projects? Or do you have partners on the ground?
Our social projects come to life through partnerships with local and central government authorities, the population of the republic and the non-governmental and international organizations. "Chevron" is proud of partnerships with many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have been created over the years of work in Kazakhstan.
To further enhance of their institutional base and organizational capacity in 2012 we have created a "NGO Expert Center" in Almaty in conjunction with the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, the European Commission and the International Academy of Business and hope that this resource center will help in the implementation of many projects for the benefit of the people of Kazakhstan.
Together with our partners, we passed an interesting and creative way and look forward to their assistance in the future. Only together we can direct our good will to solve important social issues.
Thanks for the interesting and informative discussion. Our editorial staff is confident that the example of such companies as "Chevron” will show Kazakh businessmen that they can be engaged in charity, and most importantly, they need to do it. We wish your company future prosperity, health for employees, financial stability and success in all their endeavors.
