In 2007, Petro-Canada began the development of the Ebla gas project in central Syria. As with all our projects, before any work is done we carry out an initial environmental baseline survey and impact assessment. These studies provide us with an extensive amount of data on the local environment, allowing us to plan our operations to minimize their impact and also to monitor any changes over time.

While conducting our initial survey for the Ebla gas project, we identified the seasonal presence of a critically endangered bird species called the Northern Bald Ibis. In order to learn more about the Ibis, Petro-Canada held a series of meetings with stakeholders, including representatives of the Syrian government and international non-government organizations (NGOs) directly involved in the conservation efforts to protect this rare and unique colony of birds - currently consisting of just two viable breeding pairs.

The Ibis has been revered in the Middle East and North Africa since the time of the Egyptians, whose mythology included an Ibis-headed god of wisdom and knowledge. In Syria, the Ibis was thought to have become extinct in the late 1920s, and colonies in other parts of the Mediterranean Basin began falling into decline around the same time as a result of hunting and habitat loss. However, a small colony of Ibis in Syria was rediscovered in 2002 and now constitutes the only migrating population remaining in the wild. The Ibis spend February to July each year in Syria to breed.

Consultations and site visits with stakeholders allowed us to better understand the seasonal migrating patterns of these birds as well as their preferred habitat during the months they are in Syria. It was discovered that a key Northern Bald Ibis feeding ground is located in the southeast corner of one of our Ebla gas development areas.

With this information, we were able to address the concerns of stakeholders by re-designing our seismic survey program. We amended the timing of activities to avoid directly impacting the birds themselves, and we also adjusted our acquisition methodologies in and around the feeding area to make certain we minimized any impacts on this key habitat.

Petro-Canada continues to meet with stakeholders regularly to monitor the movement of the Ibis and the status of their colony and habitat. This dialogue also ensures that stakeholders are kept fully informed about upcoming work programs associated with the wider development of the Ebla gas project. In turn, this allows us to address any stakeholder concerns at an early stage in our planning.