Best Answer - Chosen by the Asker
It sounds like a big natural gas companies "con man" talking.
Something a spokesman for a big drilling company might say if s/he is trying to get natural resources from a Lesser Developed Country.
The "only way they have to get back" seems to be insinuating the people were doing well in the past. It may be in reference to an area like Somalia.
But this also doesnt make sense because the downfall of these areas are usually a direct result of drilling, again like Somalia.
This should help you piece it together but overall I'd have to agree with Piotr, more context is needed to be more accurate.
