These guidelines outline what local communities and other key stakeholders can expect from operators. Oil and gas operators acknowledge the challenges associated with industry activities, which can include challenges important to a community. Principles of integrity, transparency and consideration for community concerns underpin responsible operations. Conscientious operators are committed to helping communities achieve positive and long-lasting benefits.

Both local stakeholders and operators can use this guidance. It is designed to acknowledge challenges and impacts that occur during the industry's presence in a given region. It provides flexible and adaptable strategies, recognizing that application will vary from operator to operator and community to community. Many operators already apply similar guidelines or processes within their operations. These suggested guidelines are typical and reasonable and generally apply under normal operating circumstances. The use of these guidelines is at each individual operator's discretion.

Operators recognize that stakeholders within the community can have different interests, issues and levels of concern. Some of these interests can be in direct conflict with one another. Working together with stakeholders to seek mutually agreeable solutions is an important aspect of community engagement. Operators can have different approaches to addressing the concerns and issues.

These guidelines are intended primarily to support onshore oil and gas projects in the United States for shale developments; however, they can be adapted to any oil and gas projects in the United States.

This document provides non-technical guidance only, and practices included herein cannot be applicable in all regions and/or circumstances. This document does not constitute legal advice regarding compliance with legal or contractual requirements or risk mitigation. It is not intended to be all-inclusive. The operator is responsible for determining compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.