2017 has tumbled by faster than we’d like, so before we break into Auld Lang Syne, we’ve had a look back at some of our favourite news from our Petroleum team.

Houston completes successful United Way campaign

This year, over 1,300 Houston employees pledged donations to the United Way of Greater Houston, contributing to one of the largest corporate campaigns in the Houston region, raising $481,723 for the organisation. With the Matched Giving Program, BHP will donate more than $1.4 million to the United Way of Greater Houston, which is in great need after the disastrous impact of Hurricane Harvey.

BHP leads new era of climate change adaptability in Trinidad and Tobago

In August this year, BHP invested US$660,000 as part of its global focus on climate change and an overall commitment to environmental preservation and the protection of community livelihoods.

BHP sponsors Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Armed Forces Appreciation Day

For the fourth straight year, BHP sponsored Armed Forces Appreciation Day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HSLR) to honour the brave men and women for their service in the US military. More than 120 BHP employees volunteered at the event, participating in the HLSR’s Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) by handing out gift bags, food bucks, carnival vouchers and seat upgrades for that evening’s rodeo.

Delivering afterschool STEM programming

BHP partnered with Baylor College of Medicine in Texas to deliver afterschool Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programming for students at local schools. The program also provides a STEM professional development program for elementary school teachers.

BHP funds improvements to local Boys and Girls Club

BHP provided funds for improvements to the Boys and Girls Club facility in DeWitt County (Texas) and additional programming, including garden-to-table, physical fitness, drama and STEM. The club is a critical support system for the families in the local community.

BHP provides funding for Texas school Robotics Club

The Pecos High School Robotics program in Pecos, Texas, began after a teacher noticed several students were either in detention or getting in trouble after school. By introducing the students to robotics and other STEM projects, they were able to channel their energy into something creative. Now over 20 students chose to stay after school five days a week. Students also qualified and competed at the VEX World Competition last year, with BHP-funded kits.

BHP sponsors Thanksgiving lunch for seniors

BHP employees from the Victoria, Texas, office visited the Victoria Senior Center Association (VSCA) a week before the annual holiday to serve a Thanksgiving lunch and play holiday bingo. BHP sponsored the lunch and provided the prizes, as well as a blanket for each homebound senior in the VSCA Meals on Wheels program

BHP Billiton YMCA grand opening

In June 2014, BHP made a donation to the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana to contribute to the development of a new state-of-the-art facility in Shreveport, La. On 8 April 2017, BHP Billiton YMCA held its grand-opening event. The event served as an opportunity to strengthen community awareness and support around the investment by BHP and the partnership with the YMCA. The project is a resounding success and a great example of how BHP and its employees can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the communities where we work.

Nature Conservancy Volunteer Day
In April, around 50 volunteers from the Houston office spent a day south of Houston, in the Columbia Bottomlands, as part of a Nature Conservancy volunteer day. Volunteers took care and improved the area of the Brazos Woods Preserve by planting trees and removing old fence and livestock facilities in an effort to continue restoration of the site. The 176-acre preserve was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, which was made possible by support from BHP.