Belize Natural Energy - Case Study

11/30/12 – DAY 4 – BNE CASE STUDY

Belize Natural Energy Limited (BNE) is a Belizean based and owned oil and gas provider, in business since 2005. Their “mission is to positively impact the Belizean people by efficiently finding, producing, and marketing oil and gas in a healthy, safe, environmentally and socially conscious manner that fosters teamwork, creativity and professionalism.”

Our initial speaker for BNE’s presentation was employee Daniel Gutierrez. He was very knowledgeable and showed a good deal of pride in his company’s mission as well as of their role in supporting the Belizean economy. BNE is the country’s single largest taxpayer, and has contributed an excess of one-third of a billion dollars to government revenues since their inception. This aspect of the company’s existence is what Mr. Gutierrez continuously refocused discussion on, and seemed their most positive contribution to the country’s sustainability.

BNE is very advanced in their fields in terms of positive environmental standards. They abide by both cultural and environmental IFC management standards, constantly monitor air, water, and noise purity, and follow strict procedures for leakage events. However it seemed that Mr. Gutierrez was hesitant to veer far from his pro oil and gas rhetoric in answering any questions about the long-term sustainability and environmental impact of his industry. His discussion was consistently focused on what he called the “people perspective.” He believes, like many of our other presenters that economic stability for the people of Belize is the most important initiative that must be dealt with. He spoke highly of finding a balance between preservation/conservation and infrastructure development, but continuously used the term “environmentalist” in an “othered”/ oppositional manner.

While there were many moments throughout that I felt the presentation contained a bit too much bias towards the positives of drilling and oil exploration, it was very informative. As an American environmental enthusiast, it is easy to dismiss the economic needs of other peoples in the name of conservation while continuing to stop by the gas station on a multi-monthly basis, and purchasing non-fair, and/or petroleum based products. This presentation helped me to better understand the economic and social significance of companies like BNE, as well as the potentially positive outcomes of well-managed oil and gas production.