Responding to biodiversity-related risks
Mitigation hierarchy
The mitigation hierarchy is a decision-making framework involving a sequence of four prioritized steps to mitigate adverse biodiversity impacts: Avoid, minimize, restore and offset. We use the mitigation hierarchy as a guide to manage risks and mitigate impacts of our operations. We implement opportunities as mitigation measures to support habitat and species conservation through strategic and proactive conservation initiatives in collaboration with partners.
Avoid
Some biodiversity impacts can be avoided through careful spatial or temporal placement of infrastructure or scheduling field activities outside peak migration or breeding seasons.
| Alaska: Kuparuk and Western North Slope | Routine mitigation actions: We conduct environmental monitoring based on planned activities and our infrastructure footprint, which informs environmental protections and avoidance. For example, we complete aerial infrared surveys where winter activities are planned in our operating areas on the North Slope to look for heat signatures indicative of maternal polar bear dens. If dens are located, they are subject to a protective buffer area. Ice roads, snow trail routes or our activities within the buffer area are altered to avoid potential impact to the maternal den. We have a history for almost 20 years of supporting grizzly bear research to help improve our activities and avoid human influence on bears and bear dens. Grizzly bear dens are also subject to a regulatory buffer (avoidance) area. Ice road routes are another example of avoidance planning. Routes are carefully mapped out, avoiding rough terrain and certain habitat types. In 2024, we built the equivalent of 989 acres of winter ice roads and ice pads which melt away in the summer months, minimizing permanent development footprint. Ground-disturbing activity on the tundra, such as gravel placement and other construction, occurs outside of the migratory bird breeding season in June and July, and in many areas, there are seasonal restrictions for vehicles or activities based on caribou and/or other mammal presence or movements. |
| Australia: APLNG | Routine mitigation actions: In addition to field-based monitoring activities at the APLNG facility, we conduct satellite monitoring of mangroves. Satellite monitoring includes image analysis to assess long-term mangrove canopy trends and avoids contact with the mangrove system, which is sensitive to physical damage. Results indicate that mangroves in proximity to the facility have displayed an increase in canopy circumference. |
| Australia: Otway Basin Exploration Project | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: Because of known areas of giant crab habitat, we excluded acquisition areas from the Sequoia 3D marine seismic survey to avoid potential disturbance of the species and the associated depleted fishery. Consequently, the Otway exploration drilling program has also built-in avoidance of these areas. The Otway exploration program also avoids specific activities during sensitive periods for culturally important short-tailed shearwaters. The measures reduce light emissions from short-term flaring in specific areas where it could result in disorientation when fledging. |
| Canada: Montney and Surmont | Routine mitigation actions: ConocoPhillips actively pursues mitigation options to optimize land footprint in the planning stages to avoid sensitive ecosystems and culturally significant sites for the local Indigenous Peoples. The use of infill and outboard wells on existing pads has avoided new footprint in the form of new pads. When outboards/infills are not possible, optimizing land footprint remains a consideration in designing facilities and is a driver for tighter well head spacing where feasibly safe to do so. The Surmont Wildlife Mitigation Monitoring Program focuses on validating wildlife mitigation effectiveness. In 2024, we expanded the scope to include a focus on the effectiveness of reclamation. |
| U.S. Lower 48: Bakken |
Sharp-tailed grouse are considered a management indicator species for North Dakota and are present throughout our asset area. We completed a three-year study to gain a better understanding of sharp-tailed grouse nesting, brood rearing and habitat types and local migration patterns. Results from the study indicate grouse within the study area use a wide variety of habitats including areas in close proximity to badland and forested habitat as well as agricultural fields. These results provide the scientific input needed to determine the most effective way to avoid impacting sharp-tailed grouse populations throughout their life cycle. Learn more about our project-specific approach to avoidance planning in North Dakota. |
| U.S. Lower 48: Permian | Routine mitigation actions: In the Permian, we identify and assess ecologically sensitive areas on company-owned land in the development pre-planning phase. These sensitive areas include playa lakes, waterways (such as rivers, draws and arroyos), areas with significant plant diversity and known sensitive species habitat. We integrate our understanding of these areas into the design of our surface development plans to identify options for avoiding impacts to sensitive habitats or biodiversity. 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: We currently have approximately 700 acres enrolled in conservation agreements that protect the lesser prairie chicken in Texas and over 377,000 acres to protect the lesser prairie chicken and the dunes sagebrush lizard in New Mexico. In addition, we have enrolled more than 95,000 acres in conservation agreements that protect the endangered Texas hornshell mussel. |
Minimize
We minimize biodiversity impacts through measures taken to reduce the duration, intensity and/or extent of the footprint of our operations. New drilling technology, data analytics techniques and integrated planning have helped to optimize and reduce our infrastructure footprint and improve reservoir development efficiency through multi-well pads, longer lateral wells, multilateral wells, tankless pads and central facilities.
| Alaska: Kuparuk and Western North Slope | Routine mitigation actions: The size of well pads has been reduced from 65 acres in 1970 to about 12-20 acres today. At the same time, the potential drilling radius has increased from 5,000 feet to about 35,000 feet using our extended-reach drill (ERD) rig. Our engineers are integrating biodiversity preservation measures into the design and siting of infrastructure. New pipelines are elevated seven or more feet above the tundra to allow caribou to cross underneath. New roads and pipelines are also typically constructed 500 feet apart to further facilitate caribou movement and there are seasonal speed limit restrictions. For new projects, we place power cables on the pipeline racks to eliminate the need to build overhead powerlines to reduce potential bird collision hazards and for visual landscape considerations. 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: In 2024, ConocoPhillips Alaska conducted scientific field studies throughout the Colville River Area and northeastern National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPR-A) on the North Slope of Alaska. These studies were conducted by established scientists with many years of experience on the North Slope. Our 2024 environmental field studies focused on several avian species (eiders, loons and shorebirds), air quality, fish and subsistence fisheries, caribou, hydrology, cultural resources and subsistence monitoring. |
| Australia: APLNG | Key project life cycle mitigation actions: We implemented the Long-Term Turtle Monitoring Program (LTTMP), comprising annual monitoring of flatback turtle nesting at Curtis Island and Wild Duck Island. This field based program collects data on turtle nesting and hatchlings to inform ongoing management activities. The LTTMP monitoring addresses some significant knowledge gaps for marine turtle populations of the Gladstone region and is used to further advance conservation efforts. At the APLNG facility, a key focus is minimizing night-time light (skyglow) which can affect nesting turtles and hatchlings. Through proactive measures, we have reviewed “over lit” areas and replaced blue-light emitting sources with colors less obtrusive to turtles. Studies to support our initiatives created new knowledge on how skyglow affects local flatback turtle populations. Results of LTTMP activities, and from the technical advice provided by LTTMP research partners and reported through peer-reviewed publications, indicate no evidence that the LNG facilities are having or have had any significant effects on marine turtles or their habitat. |
| Australia: Otway Basin Exploration Project | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: Ongoing marine mammal surveys in the Otway Basin support effective decision-making and continue to improve knowledge on the presence/absence, distribution and behaviors of key species. This information supports project planning to minimize operational activity during peak periods of marine fauna activity. We make this data available to government agencies and research organizations to inform future management programs. We also advocate for community-based research programs including the Dolphin Research Institute and the Arthur Rylah Institute’s southern right whale aerial monitoring program. |
| Canada: Surmont | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: We worked with a Surmont area forest company to align and integrate land management for forestry harvest blocks with future Surmont development plans, minimizing the overall footprint of our combined industrial activity. The forest company was able to use our preexisting roads to access the harvest areas and our future development footprint has been designed to overlap with areas that have been harvested. Key project life cycle mitigation actions: Between 2012 and 2020, we led Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) development of a goal to reduce footprint intensity through surface infrastructure footprint optimization, improved drilling technology and progressive reclamation. Collectively, COSIA member companies reduced their footprint intensity by approximately 11%. As part of our focus to proactively minimize footprint at Surmont we participated in the COSIA EcoSeis project. The project goal was to reduce the impacts of new seismic lines by reducing the width and total length of the cut lines. A 2022 pilot test acquired high-resolution seismic images reducing the overall footprint by over 40% compared to using conventional technology. We are reviewing potential future applications for the technology. |
| Norway: Greater Ekofisk Area | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: We finalized reports of offshore field studies using glider technology to assess and minimize the effects of seismic surveys and produced water discharges and presented the results to relevant stakeholders. Gliders are unmanned, autonomous vehicles operating underwater, driven by gravity, or they are operated at the surface driven by wind, waves, gravity and solar energy. Surface gliders are about the size of a surfboard and we use gliders to conduct research and to collect data about the potential impact of activities on the marine environment and ocean life. The glider technology enabled an integrated ecosystem monitoring approach and no detrimental impact of seismic operations or produced water on the pelagic ecosystem was observed. The study also enabled comparison of modelled sound propagation and actual measured sound levels that showed acceptable sound exposure of spawning fish during current seismic operations. Also in 2024, we completed chemical and biological analyses of samples collected for a routine sea-bed sediment monitoring program in the Ekofisk area in 2023.The seabed sediment sampling is completed once every three years. Analytical results showed no evidence of adverse impact from our offshore operations on the seabed near our assets. |
| U.S. Lower 48 | Routine mitigation actions: The reduction in pad size and increased drilling radius have contributed to minimizing the infrastructure footprint for our unconventional operations in the Lower 48. Our Environmental Mapping Tool helps inform development strategies for the Bakken, Eagle Ford and Permian. The Geographic Information System (GIS) based tool identifies sensitive habitats, waterways, playas, and other critical areas that may be within project development zones, enabling us to avoid or minimize impacts to these areas. In the Permian, our understanding of habitats and species distribution on company-owned land is integrated into decision-making during the planning and development process. Our approach focuses on concentrating infrastructure in development corridors and utilizing horizontal drilling to reduce habitat fragmentation. Our goal is to minimize impacts to ecologically sensitive habitats, biodiversity or areas of hydrological significance. A similar concept, based on utilizing centralized facilities, which reduces infrastructure footprint, land disturbance, impacts on wildlife, emissions and truck traffic is also being applied in our Bakken assets in North Dakota. |
Restore
When impacts and disturbance cannot be completely avoided or further minimized, we employ measures to restore the area to a stable, productive and self-sustaining ecosystem through reclamation activities, considering beneficial uses of the affected and surrounding areas. Remediation and reclamation of disturbed areas is part of our ongoing risk management at operating facilities and includes temporary and permanent measures. Asset retirement obligations are included in our Long-Range Plan.
| Alaska: Kuparuk | Routine mitigation actions: In Kuparuk, we began reclaiming gravel mine sites in the late 1970s. In collaboration with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Department of Natural Resources we have selected gravel mine sites near streams to promote eventual flooding, creating deep over-wintering fish habitat and providing fish with vital movement pathways. In addition to local fish habitat, this reclamation approach provides habitat for nesting shorebirds, waterfowl and grizzly bears. Reclamation is continuing at several North Slope gravel mine sites. |
| Canada: Montney | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: In 2024, we continued to work with a local Indigenous Peoples community to complete restoration related to the British Columbia Dormant Sites Reclamation Program for 10 community-selected sites, covering almost 40 acres. The scope of the restoration work had been developed considering traditional knowledge, observations about key local species, the desired restored landscape, community vendors and innovative restoration and revegetation techniques. Implementation involved joint site visits to facilitate the exchange of information on preferred restoration approaches that support traditional land use. Of the 10 locations, four have advanced to Certificate of Restoration, two are in assessment phase, and four are being monitored to verify restoration goals. In 2024, we advanced restoration efforts at two sites with plans to proceed at the remaining locations once abandonment and assessment activities are completed. Further, in 2024 we began a multi-year decommissioning program, which will accelerate the timeline for initiating work on inactive sites in the Montney. This will entail dismantling of inactive asset infrastructure and restoring the landscape in a strategic area-based program to shrink our disturbance footprint, which will support regional objectives held by Indigenous Peoples groups and the provincial government. Once complete, more than 70 acres will be revegetated to boreal forest habitat. |
| Canada: Surmont | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: After the reclamation and revegetation of our former Surmont pilot plant site, we engaged a local Indigenous Peoples community to assist with vegetation monitoring and weed control as part of the aim toward boreal forest restoration. Additional planting of boreal species is planned for 2025. Routine mitigation actions: Since 2014, we have supported the Boreal Ecological Recovery and Assessment Project (BERA). While BERA’s focus to date has been mostly on exploratory footprint (seismic lines), the lessons learned can also inform overall monitoring, conservation and reclamation strategies in the boreal forest. Our long-term support demonstrates our commitment to understanding key aspects of reclamation and restoration. Through the initiative we are contributing to the development of innovative tools and new practices for effectively mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic activity and enabling the return to self-sustaining boreal forest conditions. The Surmont Boreal Reclamation Project, a research initiative with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Centre for Boreal Research, is focused on upland boreal forest reclamation techniques. This project has been renewed for 10 years and continues to advance applied research to improve reclamation practice and reduce uncertainty about the effectiveness of various approaches. Regular engagement with local Indigenous Peoples communities helps align the studies on key questions. Read more about the science behind boreal forest reclamation in Canada. Key project life cycle mitigation actions: Between 2009 and 2020, we led the COSIA Faster Forest program, an industry collaboration to accelerate reclamation of exploration well sites in the Canadian boreal forest. The program resulted in more than 6 million trees and shrubs being planted on about 5,500 acres of land in the oil sands region. The initiative has led to the adoption of improvements in site construction and reclamation practices and planting to accelerate site recovery and is transitioning to a standard operating practice. The Algar Restoration Project was a COSIA initiative that aimed to restore disturbances from legacy conventional seismic lines in caribou habitat. The five-year project included tree planting and regeneration protection of about 240 miles of linear disturbances, restoring over 600 acres. |
| Norway: Greater Ekofisk Area | Routine mitigation actions: Removal and recycling of offshore platforms reduces our footprint and restores marine habitat. Since 2010 we have removed the topsides and jackets of 16 platforms as part of our offshore decommissioning activities. For seven of the removed platforms, we have also mapped and removed debris in safety zones, making approximately 1,400 acres of seabed available for other users of the sea. Debris removal around platforms removed at the Ekofisk Complex will be completed upon future Ekofisk decommissioning. |
| Company-owned Lands: Permian | Routine mitigation actions: For company-owned land in the Permian, we have a history of implementing stewardship programs in support of habitat restoration. In 2022, restoration and conservation achievements at the Quail Ranch were awarded the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Lone Star Land Steward Award, recognizing conservation efforts of private landowners since 1996. In 2014, we contributed financially to the creation and expansion of the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area. Since then, the state managed area has grown from 14,000 to over 15,000 acres, providing ongoing and long-term protection for species of greatest conservation need including the Texas horned lizard, a variety of migratory birds, and the endangered lesser prairie-chicken. In 2024, Permian restoration efforts included:
In the Delaware River Basin in New Mexico, we are collaborating with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Texan by Nature, Borderlands Research Institute and Rio Grande Joint Venture to implement conservation and restoration projects on private lands. The Delaware River Basin faces many challenges including erosion, sedimentation, and dwindling surface and groundwater resources resulting in reduced flows in the Delaware River that are needed to sustain the community, industry, ecosystem and wildlife. Planning commenced in 2024 and implementation is scheduled to be completed by 2029. Project partners will work with interested landowners to scope projects, establish agreements, and execute restoration efforts. Restoration activities may include upland brush treatments, installation of erosion control structures, in-stream fish habitat structures, and native riparian vegetation plantings. In addition to restoration, monitoring will be conducted prior to, during and following implementation to understand the impact of the restoration efforts. We anticipate project achievements will include:
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| Company-owned Lands: Louisiana Coastal Wetlands | Routine mitigation actions: Since 2012, we have collaborated with Ducks Unlimited on conservation projects on company-owned lands in the Louisiana coastal wetlands. Through this partnership, we are helping conserve wetlands that preserve biodiversity, improve water quality, and protect our shared communities. Our conservation collaboration has supported 20 coastal restoration projects, providing direct and indirect benefits to more than 32,000 acres of coastal habitat. In 2024, restoration efforts included terracing work in Port Fourchon and Grand Bayou. The projects involve the construction of earthen terraces and living shorelines to improve fish and wildlife habitat and protect wetlands and infrastructure. |
Offsets
Biodiversity offsets may be used for impacts or disturbances that remain after avoidance, minimization and restoration measures have been implemented, or to address a regulatory requirement. Our internal Biodiversity Offset Guideline provides direction to asset teams where a biodiversity offset is a regulatory requirement or a strategic business preference.
| Alaska: Kuparuk and Western North Slope | Routine mitigation actions: Since 2008, we have conserved over 2,700 acres through compensatory wetland mitigation. Compensatory mitigation refers to the restoration, preservation, creation, or enhancement of wetlands to compensate for permitted wetland losses. |
| Australia: APLNG | Key project life cycle mitigation actions: Australian federal government environmental approvals to develop major projects require biodiversity offsets. Curtis Island represents the local LNG industry’s landmark conservation achievement. An area of over 12,000 acres has been set aside for permanent offset of the APLNG facility, representing a ratio of over 20 acres of offsets per acre of plant footprint. Combined with the existing conservation park, more than 70% of Curtis Island is actively managed for conservation, compared to just 2% occupied by LNG projects on the southern tip. These measures will protect and restore the island’s unique ecology and heritage for future generations and contribute to conservation of about 100 square miles in perpetuity. Read more about the Curtis Island Conservation Park. |
| Canada | Key project life cycle mitigation actions: We co-funded the Junction Lake Conservation Site in Northern Alberta as a voluntary offset. The 289-acre conservation area provides a unique opportunity for the public to view the endangered piping plover. Through this conservation collaboration, we received the first “early action recognition” from the Government of Alberta for a voluntary offset in 2015. In collaboration with Ducks Unlimited we conserved the Bullshead Conservation Area in southeastern Alberta in 2014. It encompasses more than 2,080 acres of wetland-rich prairie, native grasslands and high-value wildlife and plant species, including large numbers of waterfowl. |
| Canada: Montney | 2024 project milestone mitigation actions: Our Montney team completed restoration work and tree planting to mitigate historic land disturbance for a habitat offset program to address a British Columbia pipeline permit requirement. The team worked with a local Indigenous Peoples community to select three sites with a total area of about 16 acres, targeting a 4:1 offset for land disturbed in valued ecosystems as defined by the Indigenous Peoples community. Site selection and the scope of restoration work were determined in collaboration with the local Indigenous Peoples community after field reconnaissance visits. Research on optimal site preparation and soil cover design, conducted in collaboration with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Centre for Boreal Research, helped meet community expectations. Mitigation actions to offset the effects of development in high value areas of the landscape are required in the Montney area. A current offset in development proposes mitigations equivalent to 27 acres for 5 acres of pad and road development in an “old forest” area. Key values important to local communities, including moose, fisher and ecosystem intactness, were integrated in the offset plan. |