As soon as one of the BP executives started his introductory talk, however, the group moved to the front of the room and took out their placards and the mock pipeline they had constructed with the words “ STOP BAKU-CEYHAN” painted on. The BP executive did his best to ignore the protestors and keep the audience’s attention, but found it increasingly hard as he progressed with his speech, stammering and pausing to glare at the intruders. After the presentation, the activists mixed back with the crowd to give out leaflets and explain the reasons for their opposition to the proposed pipeline.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the BP oilmen present were not quite so willing to be engaged in conversation. When asked how the proposed pipeline project would match up to BP’s claim to environmental responsibility, “In our own working environment BP has a simply stated goal - to do no damage to the environment”, the representative questioned refused to answer. Similarly, when questioned by one student about opportunities for employment within the company in the renewable energies sector, specifically, the solar energy sector, another representative replied that BP did not have much interest in renewable energies as they were not sufficiently profitable.

For more information on the Baku-Cheyhan pipeline project visit www.baku.org.uk.