BHP Billiton, Community Investment Programme (Enabling Rural Communities)

The world’s largest diverse resource group, operating a unique mix of high-quality assets worldwide, BHP Billiton employs around 40,000 people worldwide and the UK Production Unit (UKPU) in Liverpool Bay is one of its Petroleum division’s largest operated assets, producing oil and gas from five fields beneath the Irish Sea. 

The Company is committed to ensuring increased economic opportunities, environmental improvement and positive community initiatives through the BHP Billiton Charter.  At the midpoint of the UKPU’s projected lifecycle it became essential to consider how these objectives could be sustained beyond the lifecycle of activity in Liverpool Bay.

With sustainability, long-term relationships and employee involvement at the heart of the decision making process, BHP Billiton became involved in three key community projects. Established by BHP Billiton, North Wales Police and North Wales Fire & Rescue - a unique partnership of private, public and voluntary sector agencies - the DangerPoint centre teaches children about the dangers faced in everyday life.  Located in the UKPU’s former visitor centre, the intent is that DangerPoint will become self sufficient over the course of ten years. Developed to encourage understanding in local school children, as well as foster an increased sense of environmental responsibility in the local community, the Field Study Centre not only provides education to the local community, but is also helping to ensure that the Site of Specific Scientific Interest surrounding the Point of Ayr gas terminal remains protected for future generations.

During 2009 UKPU developed the BHP Billiton Green machine Endowment Fund to provide long term benefit to community groups operating in both North Wales and Merseyside communities which focus on supporting community environmental projects.