Union Oil Company of California

Erica Hernandez

MKT 331

July 29, 2018

The Unocal Case

        Introduction

        Union Oil Company of California or Unocal was a petroleum business company and was a favorable option of the government looking for development in their oil and gas resources. The following is an analysis of the project undertaken by Unocal in a joint venture with French oil company Total, Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, and PTT Exploration and Production Co. based on the utilitarian, rights, justice, and a caring approach followed by Unocal while moving forward with the project.

        Analysis

        Based on the case study according to the textbook, it is found that the Unocal decided to go forward with the decision of carrying out the Myanmar oil project on several grounds. The primary reason for carrying out the project was based on the utilitarian reason, in which Unocal argues about the benefits of the people living near the pipeline in Burma. It states that the people in that area would benefit both socially and economically, therefore, helping themselves to a rich and satisfying lifestyle.

        Unocal also put forward its argument in favor of the project on validating the rights ground, saying that if the project is stopped it would deprive the people of Burma as well as the investments of the stakeholders involved with the project. Moreover, shutting down the project would deprive the people of the resources, like natural gas and petroleum, which would be produced after the completion of the project.

        The Unocal argument was also based on the arguments that speak about the moral virtues of the existing personas involved in the struggles of Burma. It described the character traits of the head of SLORC, General Than as “cold,” “ruthless,” and “brutal,” and accused him of being a “skilled manipulator,” therefore affecting the lives of the population in the country. Unocal further justifies that the workers involved in the project are well taken care of, and the company cares for the well-being of the general populace residing near the pipeline.