Oil accounts for nearly all of the newly-formed South Sudans export earnings (98% of total revenue, according to the IMF); it has also been responsible for pollution, a major source of conflict between the government and local communities and resulting in the loss of traditional livelihoods of the local Dinka and Nuer communities. Soil and water contamination, loss of grazing land and deforestation are some of the negative effects[1]. One well-publicised case involves White Nile Petroleum Company (WNPOC), a consortium led by Malaysias Petronas, which has been operating in Unity State since 2006 in the vicinity of the Sudd wetlands, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. News reports say thousands were forcefully evicted, losing their ancestral homes and their livelihoods. News agency AFP quoted from sample results from the Thar Jath oil plant, which indicated that brine from the refinery produced a high salinity, putting the concentration of nitrate at 81.6 mg/l, above the 10 mg/l recommended by the the US Environmental Protection Agency. These figures came from German human rights organization Sign of Hope, which took water samples in the area. Nitrate measurements at this level could have serious health consequences, especially for young children[2]. These reports are dated 2009, but recent news reports appear to indicate that pollution is still a problem. Quoted by the Sudan Tribune, Koch County Commissioner John Chuol Wang said pollution from oil companies operating in his area was damaging the environment and water supply for local people. He said environmental practices had not improved since autonomy in 2005 or independence in 2011[3]. |
Name of conflict: | Unity State oil pollution, South Sudan |
Country: | South Sudan |
State or province: | Unity State |
Location of conflict: | Thar Jath |
Accuracy of location | LOW (Country level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Oil and gas exploration and extraction |
Specific commodities: | Crude oil |
Project details | The US Energy Administration Information estimates that crude oil production in Sudan and South Sudan averaged about 425,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2011. Block 5A, which contains the Thar Jath and Mala oil fields operated by WNPOC, produced around 15,000 bbl/d in 2011[4]. |
Project area: | 400000 |
Level of Investment for the conflictive project | $30million (3-year initial exploration investment) |
Type of population | Urban |
Affected Population: | N/A |
Start of the conflict: | 2006 |
Company names or state enterprises: | White Nile Petroleum Company (WNPOC) from Malaysia PETRONAS from Malaysia India s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from India South Sudan Petroleum Operation Company from Sudan |
Relevant government actors: | Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Sign of Hope, European Coalition on Oil in Sudan (ECOS), Global Witness |
Intensity | LOW (some local organising) |
Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
Groups mobilizing: | International ejos Local government/political parties |
Forms of mobilization: | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Oil spills, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Mine tailing spills |
Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Deaths |
Other Health impacts | Sickness observed and water pollution blamed. |
Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Project Status | In operation |
Conflict outcome / response: | Environmental improvements, rehabilitation/restoration of area Institutional changes New legislation Strengthening of participation New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
Briefly explain: | Based on recent news reports, pollution remains a problem. |
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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Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Other comments: | 0 |
Contributor: | Patrick Burnett |
Last update | 18/08/2019 |
Conflict ID: | 178 |
Images |
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Oil and gas map in Sudan
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