Development of the hydrocarbon sector in the coastal town of San-Pédro (South-West of the Ivory-Coast): Critical study and perspectives[Développement du secteur des hydrocarbures dans la ville littorale de San-Pédro (Sud-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire): Etude critique et perspectives]

In recent years, the exploitation of hydrocarbons has boosted the national economy. However, it seems that the development of this activity has been accompanied by inequalities. In the town of San-Pédro, for example, this key sector of the economy has remained on the margins of the region's economic dynamic, and is still marginalized despite its strong potential. This contribution looks at the reasons behind these economic inequalities, despite the high level of hydrocarbon exploitation. It also attempts to grasp the real development issues relating to the evolution of the activity and intends to place the hydrocarbon issue in the context of the strong coastalization of activities in the San-Pédro region. The mixed approach which takes into account questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews and direct observation methods is the methodological foundation of this work. The first step is to inventory the different hydrocarbon resources and the urban practices they induce. Then, it will be a question of identifying the different actors involved as well as the modes and mechanisms of operation of these activities. Finally, this work seeks to understand the territorial effects of these on the organization and development of the coastal territory. From the field results, it appears on the one hand that two types of activities coexist in the hydrocarbon sector; formal and informal. These practices remain under the influence of the international context and they contribute to modifying urban structures both on a socio-economic and environmental leve.