Premier Oil: Influence / Lobbying

Lobbying groups

Premier Oil is a member of UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA, www.ukooa.co.uk). UKOOA sees as its mission: 'To provide leadership to maintain the development of a forward-looking, profitable, thriving and responsible offshore oil and gas industry and to enhance its reputation and develop relationships with government, public and other stakeholders'[17].

Influencing research and education

Essex University Human Rights Centre did human rights training for Premier in Burma (this involved giving people in Burma training in human rights). Professor Tome Sorrel of Essex University (philosophy dept.) was involved in this as a consultant for Premier. The Human Rights Centre was asked to do a second round of training, but turned this down. Professor Sorrel, however, pushed hard for accepting another round of training [18].

The corporate unit of Warwick Business School verified the social audit, even though their own Professor Alyson Warhurst had been part of framing the scope of the consultations in Burma [19].

PR companies

College Hill EQ Management did social audit in Burma, a process verified by the Corporate Citizenship Unit of Warwick University's Business School (see above). EQ have previously worked with Waitrose and the New Economics Foundation [20].

References [17] UK Offshore Operators Association homepage, www.ukooa.co.uk/ukooa/ [18] The Burma Campaign UK [19] Spinning and pumping (Premier Oil publicity makes the case for constructive engagement in Burma in its social performance report), by David Buchan, Financial Times, 16/05/01 [20] 'Destructive Engagement: Premier Oil's Social Report and Burma', John Jackson, The Burma Campaign UK