Big Oil on Sakhalin: Putting Profits Before People and the Environment
Map of Sakhalin's oil and gas projects and pipelines. Click on image for greater detail. Map: US Energy Information Agency.
Since 1994, Royal Dutch/Shell, ExxonMobil and other
international energy giants have been developing massive oil and natural gas
extraction projects on- and offshore Sakhalin
Island, Russia.
Pacific Environment has worked with grassroots
organizations on Sakhalin and allies around the world for over ten years to
force Shell, Exxon-Mobil, and other oil companies to apply best international
social and environmental standards to Sakhalin projects and to halt the most
egregious projects altogether. These oil and gas mega-projects projects
threaten the economic and social wellbeing
of Sakhalin’s people, including the island’s indigenous peoples and commercial fishermen. The projects also
threaten Sakhalin's fragile ecosystems, abundant wild salmon runs, rich marine
fisheries, and one of the world’s most critically endangered whales—the Western Pacific Gray
Whale. In 2007, Sakhalin Environment Watch achieved a major conservation
victory by successfully recreating the Vostochny Wildlife Refuge to protect
175,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
Sakhalin II, the world’s largest integrated oil and
gas project, is the most infamous of the Sakhalin
projects, known for environmental violations and for the Russian government’s
decision to transfer controlling share of the project from Royal Dutch/ Shell
to state-owned Gazprom. Throughout the life of the project, Sakhalin Energy
Investment Company sought the financial backing of taxpayer-supported banks
like the US Export-Import Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development and from private banks like Credit Suisse First Boston to expand Sakhalin
II, but environmental violations forced financial institutions to deny funding
for the massive project. Only the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation
chose to fund Sakhalin II.
Follow these links to learn about the projects in
detail:
Also, follow the links in the right hand navigation pane to learn more about the Sakhalin project and our Sakhalin campaign. If you still have a question, visit our interactive Frequently Asked Questions section by clicking here.
