ConocoPhillips in the Peruvian Amazon

The tropical rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon, second in expanse only to that of Brazil, has emerged as a flashpoint for the oil industry in Latin America and for ConocoPhillips in particular: the company is now the leading holder of exploration acreage in Peru with over 10.5 million acres. The Peruvian state exhibits a weak regulatory capacity and little political will for protecting the environment, indigenous rights or public health. As such, Conoco Phillips’ adherence to Peruvian state requirements does not go far enough to guard against potential liabilities from human rights and environmental impacts of its operations.