Next* Magazine, Issue 4 - Chevron

Barrow Island: Chevron’s Track Record of Leaving Few TracksBarrow Island, a Class A nature reserve, hasbeen home to Australia’s largest onshore oilfield for more than 45 years. Chevron’s successfultrack record of operating on Barrowwhile protecting the environment helped thecompany gain the necessary permits to makethe island the site for the Gorgon Project.The project underwent a rigorous andthorough environmental assessment thatculminated with some of the most stringentconditions imposed on a major projectanywhere in the world. Thus, Chevron’s managementof the Gorgon Project raises the barfor environmentally responsible, large-scaletechnology deployment and innovation.The island, renowned for its unique biodiversityand conservation value, was originallypart of the Australian mainland before risingsea levels created a “living ark” for somenative species that now exist only on this tinypatch of earth, protected from the introductionof nonindigenous plant and animalspecies.Following the discovery of crude oil onBarrow in 1964, production began in April1967 and to date has delivered more than300 million barrels of oil and loaded morethan 1,000 tankers without a major environmentalincident. Now, more than at any timein its history, Australia is focused on ensuringthat Chevron’s successful custodianship ofthe island continues.One man has done more than any otherto raise and maintain the profile of BarrowIsland in the nation’s psyche—eminent naturalist,conservationist and former Australianof the Year, Harry Butler, Ph.D. Butler hasworked with the company to make sure thatevery employee and contractor understandsthe island’s environment and has a role inprotecting and, where possible, enhancingits conservation value.Butler’s message is simple and direct—Chevron has proved that conservation anddevelopment can work together, but livingand working on Barrow remains a privilege.“Today, all the species I experienced whenI first visited Barrow Island in 1963 remain.When you have a world-class quarantineprocess supported by a workforce that trulycares for the environment, this is what youcan achieve,” said Butler.See how Chevron works to protect biodiversityat Chevron.com/Next/BarrowIsland.World-renowned naturalist and conservationistHarry Butler is a consultant on the Barrow Islanddevelopment. He poses here near a termitemound on the island.PHOTO: simon westlake14 | Next*