Social Responsibility

CGG is currently operating in more than 30 countries, spanning all of the world’s natural resource basins. The Group wants to play an active role in the long-term development of its employees, as well as the people and communities living close to its permanent centers and seismic acquisition projects. Our ongoing stakeholder dialogue is part of this endeavor and so are our sponsoring commitments worldwide.

Respecting International Labor Standards

​​​CGG is a member of the UN Global Compact since 2007 and every year its Chief Executive Officer reaffirms its commitment to respecting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

CGG is committed to respect all laws and regulations and to ensure the Health, Safety and Security of our employees and subcontracted employees. The Group regularly audits its processing centers and acquisition projects to ensure CGG labor standards are properly enforced. Whistleblowing procedures and grievances management are in place to ensure alerts are properly raised and managed.

Promoting Local Content in Seismic Acquisition

Seismic acquisition, whether onshore or offshore, is intrinsically nomadic. A survey rarely lasts more than a couple of months of operations. Nevertheless, this business offers significant opportunities to make a positive difference in the host regions. Our ability to recruit and source goods locally is therefore an essential success factor. For short-term employment for Land Acquisition, locally hired staff and continuous employment over several successive surveys is favored whenever possible.

Additionally, other local content efforts have been made for several years through training programs and partnerships with local universities. To this end, every year CGG signs a number of cooperation agreements with a number of universities worldwide providing for the granting of HampsonRussell reservoir characterization software or Geovation seismic data processing software licenses for academic purposes. 

ARGAS (CGG and TAQA joint venture) and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) partnership

Developing and Maintaining Harmonious Community Relations​

Community relations are usually managed by our clients as they engage with local communities over a much longer period of time than we do. However, CGG behaves as a responsible partner to implement the client’s approach in the field. Clients frequently expect us to participate in the community relations management plans they have already initiated. At the same time, on all our multi-client acquisition seismic surveys, CGG takes sole responsibility for managing the community relations process. High-risk projects with frequent interactions with local communities are closely managed. Identifying our stakeholders and engaging with them early on to find ways of responsibly sharing the ocean or land use is critical to the conduct of safe and efficient surveys. 

Meeting with local villagers in Thailand, as part of the CGG Community Relations Management Plan To learn more about Community Relations in Thailand, read our related case study.

Responsible Procurement

CGG is committed to managing subcontractors in its area of prevailing influence to ensure their compliance with Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Responsibility Group policies and standards. The Corporate Purchasing department has developed methods and tools to support this commitment. Among them is the Supplier Code of Conduct which describes the minimum social and environmental standards expected from suppliers. Compliance with these rules is monitored during HSE-OMS audits, as the scope of these audits also covers subcontractors under CGG's prevailing influence.

Sponsoring Local Communities Projects

The Group supports and contributes to community actions to advance education/training (with a special focus on promoting Earth Sciences), community service, environmental protection, health and safety. A network of sustainable development correspondents ensures the monitoring, promotion, and reporting on local projects in coordination with the Group social responsibility manager. Some countries even have their own Sustainability Committee formed by volunteers who suggest and monitor local initiatives. All initiatives sponsored by CGG involve at least one of its employees.