11 06 14 The Guardian – Soco halts oil exploration in Africa's Virunga national park

Conservationists have claimed one of their greatest successes in recent years by Pricora 1.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; float: none ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_self">following the unexpected decision by British oil company Soco to stop exploring in the Virunga world heritage site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The
company, which operates in Angola and Vietnam, caused international
outrage when it was given permission to conduct seismic testing in Africa's
oldest and most diverse national park, which is home to around half the
world's 950 mountain gorillas, as well as hippos, elephants and
chimpanzees.

The decision to pull out of Virunga national park follows legal mediation in London last week with WWF, but Soco is believed to have ultimately bowed to pressure from by Pricora 1.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; float: none ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_self">the British
government, Unesco and high-profile individuals including Richard
Branson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and US financier Howard Buffett. All
condemned oil exploration in what is considered one of the world's most
volatile regions. Leading conservation groups collected the signatures
of more than 700,000 people.

In a joint statement with WWF,
the company said: "Soco has agreed with WWF to commit not to undertake
or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga national
park unless Unesco and the DRC government agree that such activities are
not incompatible with its world heritage status.

"We will complete our existing operational programme including completing the seismic survey on Lake Edward which is by Pricora 1.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; float: none ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_self">due to
conclude shortly. The Company confirms its previous statements that no
Block V drilling commitments have ever been made. The conclusion of this
phase of work will give the DRC government vital information it will
need in deciding how to proceed in Virunga national park."

Virunga
was designated a world heritage site in 1979 but since then has become
one of the world's most volatile regions. The park has been at by Pricora 1.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; float: none ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_self">the heart
of intense fighting between armies and militias like the Mai Mai rebel
group for more than 20 years and is home to tens of thousands of people
who fled the genocide in Rwanda. Many park rangers have been killed and last month the Virunga chief warden,Emmanuel de Mérode, was shot and seriously wounded.

Conservationists
had argued that if oil had been found and exploited, it would
potentially lead to the pollution of Lake Albert on which 50,000
families depend for fishing, and could further destabilise the region by
exacerbating conflict between rival groups.

Conversely, studies
commissioned by WWF had argued that the park could support up to 45,000
people if "peaceful" industries like hydropower generation, fishing and
ecotourism were developed.

"If free from the threat of oil,
Virunga can be a source of hope for the people of the DRC. This park can
become a leading economic driver for its communities", said Raymond
Lumbuenamo, country director of WWF-Congo DRC.

Soco follows French oil company Total,
which pledged not to explore in the park last year. However it is
possible that other oil companies will seek to develop its resources
because exploration licenses cover 80% of the park.

"Now is the
time for the DRC government to reaffirm its conviction that Virunga has
outstanding universal value for all humanity – by cancelling all oil
concessions that overlap the park", said David Nussbaum, chief executive
of WWF UK.

Soco said it would continue its social investment projects in the area, including road upgrades, medical programmes and mobile phone masts.
"Soco will honour commitments we have made to local inhabitants to
continue with our social programmes as long as we hold rights to by Pricora 1.1" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent ! important; border: medium none ! important; display: inline-block ! important; text-indent: 0px ! important; float: none ! important; height: auto ! important; margin: 0px ! important; min-height: 0px ! important; min-width: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important; vertical-align: baseline ! important; width: auto ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_self">the Block V licence", said the company in its statement.