Oil Conference Disrupted
CLPG | 21.10.2003 19:31
21st October 2003 – The Petroleum Geology of the Middle East Conference in Central London, sponsored by ConocoPhilips, Statoil, Hess and PGL, presenting speakers from Statoil, Shell and BP was disrupted by antiwar and green protesters.
A small but determined group of protesters including some UCL students infiltrated a conference entitled "Petroleum Geology of the Middle East" at the Geological Society in Piccadilly. They got past the front desk before they were pursued, and a few managed to burst into the packed lecture theatre to raise an antiwar banner. Unfortunately they were unable to get very far with their denouncement of the event before being bundled by security and various other people. By now some of the building staff had become a bit hysterical and were creating more pandemonium than the protesters could have hoped to, screaming "get the shit out of here, get the shit out of here" over and over again. Despite being pushed, shoved and dragged around by conference and building staff, the group rallied in the lobby to condemn the Oil industry, at more length. Then they either left the building or were chucked out one by one, to the sound of more shouting and yelling.
Outside they rejoined the rest of the group who had dropped a banner on the railings and were talking to passers-by. An irate conference organiser confronted the protesters outside, accusing them of rudeness in assuming that an application on their part to make their case to the conference would have been rejected. The protesters asked him why none of his speakers had made their case, given the scale of the controversy. The group also expressed scepticism about the idea of an oil industry sponsored attack on the oil industry. The same man then said that the protesters were totally discrediting their cause and turning everyone against them.
One of the geologists from the conference later came out and shook hands with the protesters saying "well done".
Some of the points raised by the protest are reproduced below.
The Petroleum industry appeared hasty to capitalise on the misfortune of the Iraqi people as the US invaded and occupied their country.
In fact the rush had already begun in November 2002. Four months before the war started Lord Browne, head of BP warned that British Oil companies had been squeezed out of post-war Iraq. When the head of Britain's largest corporation makes such a comment he is generating a momentum for war, because the message is simple: Regardless of the legal status of an invasion or the political conditions post-war, BP is "on-board."
After a bloody and illegal war on Iraq, and the installation of a US puppet regime with no democratic credentials whatsoever BP did get on board, securing a major contract as did Shell, Total and ENL among others.
In the north of Iraq, Global Petroleum Ltd, an Australian exploration company has been negotiating directly with the KRG, a Kurdish government which theoretically doesn't exist. This is obviously no problem if the only logical criteria for any decision is the dollar.
The Conference publicity stated that,
"The [Middle East] will be a major centre for production and exploration for decades to come."
No mention of occupation or repression. To present the Middle East as a "challenge and an opportunity" for the Petroleum industry without reference to the human cost of oil-politics is dishonest.
If the Oil industry refuses to examine the political implications of their business, they should be held responsible for the consequences of the conflicts they help to generate.
Outside they rejoined the rest of the group who had dropped a banner on the railings and were talking to passers-by. An irate conference organiser confronted the protesters outside, accusing them of rudeness in assuming that an application on their part to make their case to the conference would have been rejected. The protesters asked him why none of his speakers had made their case, given the scale of the controversy. The group also expressed scepticism about the idea of an oil industry sponsored attack on the oil industry. The same man then said that the protesters were totally discrediting their cause and turning everyone against them.
One of the geologists from the conference later came out and shook hands with the protesters saying "well done".
Some of the points raised by the protest are reproduced below.
The Petroleum industry appeared hasty to capitalise on the misfortune of the Iraqi people as the US invaded and occupied their country.
In fact the rush had already begun in November 2002. Four months before the war started Lord Browne, head of BP warned that British Oil companies had been squeezed out of post-war Iraq. When the head of Britain's largest corporation makes such a comment he is generating a momentum for war, because the message is simple: Regardless of the legal status of an invasion or the political conditions post-war, BP is "on-board."
After a bloody and illegal war on Iraq, and the installation of a US puppet regime with no democratic credentials whatsoever BP did get on board, securing a major contract as did Shell, Total and ENL among others.
In the north of Iraq, Global Petroleum Ltd, an Australian exploration company has been negotiating directly with the KRG, a Kurdish government which theoretically doesn't exist. This is obviously no problem if the only logical criteria for any decision is the dollar.
The Conference publicity stated that,
"The [Middle East] will be a major centre for production and exploration for decades to come."
No mention of occupation or repression. To present the Middle East as a "challenge and an opportunity" for the Petroleum industry without reference to the human cost of oil-politics is dishonest.
If the Oil industry refuses to examine the political implications of their business, they should be held responsible for the consequences of the conflicts they help to generate.
CLPG
Comments
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a geology conference?!? FFS!!!
22.10.2003 06:33
.... but protesting a GEOLOGY conference....? FFS!!
They are only talking about the geology and it's potential fuel reserves... not the politics of exploitation.....
... it's like protesting at hospitals having conferences on genetic engineering when the military are using clones in a bloody war somewhere else!!..... FFS.
All power to u for getting out there and protesting - don't get me wrong - I have deep respect for people 'doing' instead of 'talking' but....... :o)
( a room full of beardy, single, middle/late aged men waffling on about Triasic sedimentology must have got the shock of their lives when this kicked off ha ha!! )
A concerned geologist
Look at the sponsors ...FFS
22.10.2003 12:18
"It's not my fault I just work here"
The analogy you draw between this protest and imaginary scenario involving a hospital and clones used by the military is overstretched. A glance at the sponsor list for this event, and an examination of the funding of geological research at UK Universities reveals the dependence of academic geologists on the oil industry. Add to this the massive number of geologists employed directly by the industry and the relationship between the two appears more like that between the army and radio signallers.
Given that the oil industries wrongdoings against mankind are considered by many to be serious and widespread, those doing vital work for companies in this field should not be surprised when their role is questioned.
It should be noted that there was no shortage of oil company employees among a well-heeled audience.
The point is that those inside the industry, geologist or not should not be waiting in anticipation of our next critique. They need to be making these arguments themselves and putting them at the top of the agenda in order to protect themselves and humankind.
also concerned