Escravos is located in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Communities here include Ugborodu, Ogidigben, Jala, Madagho and Ajidubu. Escravos plays host to two major transnational oil companies Shell and Chevron. Shell has three flow stations (Sagara, Otumara and Ogidigbe flow stations), while Chevron has its flow station offshore. The main occupation here is fishing. Oil spill has had direct and astonishing impact on their means of livelihoods. In July 2001, there was a very notorious crude oil spill along the Escravos Warri crude oil pipeline. Crude oil pumped from Escravos to Warri for about four days did not get to Warri. This huge quantity of crude oil was spilled into the creeks down to the sea. The result was massive destruction of aquatic life and the accompanying human misery. |
| Name of conflict: | Chevron and Shell Ravage Escravos, Nigeria |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| State or province: | Delta State |
| Location of conflict: | Escravos, Warri South Local Government Area |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Oil and gas exploration and extraction Pollution related to transport (spills, dust, emissions) |
| Specific commodities: | Crude oil |
| Project details | |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Start of the conflict: | 07/2001 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Chevron Polska Energy Resources Sp. z o.o. from United States of America Chevron Nigeria Limited from Nigeria Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Nigeria Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) from Netherlands |
| Relevant government actors: | Nigeria Federal Government agencies, such as NESREA (National Environmental Standards and Regulation Agency) and NOSDRA |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Environmental Rights Action |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | Mobilization for reparations once impacts have been felt |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities Social movements Trade unions Fisher people |
| Forms of mobilization: | Community-based participative research (popular epidemiology studies, etc..) Development of a network/collective action Involvement of national and international NGOs Media based activism/alternative media |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Oil spills Potential: Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Waste overflow, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) Potential: Infectious diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures Potential: Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Migration/displacement Negotiated alternative solution Under negotiation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Chevron and Shell must emback on restoration of the Escravos environment. Spill must be cleared immediately. Both TNCs should adhere to international standards. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | The communities in the area still count their lost over the spill. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Contributor: | Nnimmo Bassey |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 567 |