Oil, Power and a Sign of Hope: Of Corporations and the Human Right to Clean Water by Klaus Stieglitz & Sabine Pamperrien

Author:Klaus Stieglitz & Sabine Pamperrien [Stieglitz, Klaus & Pamperrien, Sabine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Civil Rights, Political Science, Civics & Citizenship
ISBN: 9783906304021
Google: _bwxEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: rüffer & rub Sachbuchverlag
Published: 2016-04-20T11:45:46+00:00

2012

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An elegant solution

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Ever since the gaining of independence in July 2011, South Sudan and Sudan have been arguing about the fees levied by the latter for the transporting of the oil produced in the former country, which accounts for three quarters of the two-country total. But, since the young country lacks access to an ocean, South Sudan is dependent upon the pipeline running through Sudan to Port Sudan and its oil terminals. This dependency causes Sudan to levy high fees.

The conflict over the division of oil revenues escalates in January. Sudan confiscates the oil from the south. It refuses to let tankers loaded with oil from the south leave the harbor of Port Sudan.1 The justification for such is South Sudan’s alleged failure to meet its payment obligations.

On January 29th, Stephen Dieu Dau, South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, tells the media that South Sudan is halting its production of oil, which is said to already have been reduced by 90%. This means that South Sudan has lost practically all sources of income. Sudan is also suffering huge losses of revenues. The two countries’ economies are nearly completely dependent upon the income from the oil business.

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In spring, at the end of its financial year, Petronas (Petroliam Nasional Berhad) publishes its Sustainability Report for 2011.2 In the report3 , Sudan and South Sudan receive an entire page. Petronas is a business that takes a neutral, non-political stance in any market in which it operates, states the report.4 And the company welcomes a peaceful transition, one benefiting the people and fostering social and economic progress in both countries.5

Petronas has expanded its business in South Sudan by opening an administrative office in Juba. Its activities in Sudan are being pursued.6 Petronas’ business in the two countries is on course for further growth.7 In addition to producing oil, Petronas operates 83 gas stations in Sudan. This network is to be expanded.8 As of this writing, Petronas is the second largest supplier in this market, holding a 17% share. Petronas is in fact also the number one provider of aviation-use kerosene.9

The highest priority is accorded in all areas to assuring the health and safety of personnel. “Sustainability issues encompassing environmental and socioeconomic concerns influence our business at all our areas of operations,” states the report.10 “We endeavour to minimise the risk and impact of our operations on the environment through careful planning and monitoring of our activities,”11 the report continues. “For example, the water quality at our bioremediation projects at WNPOC and GNPOC sites are regularly tested to ensure the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in soil and plant samples are within normal levels of international oil and gas industry standards. In addition, WNPOC has conducted an Environmental Fact Finding Study at its bioremediation site for the benefit of the environment and surrounding communities.”12

Sign of Hope would appreciate getting an opportunity to see these tests and studies. The only study cited by the WNPOC publicly as proof of proprietary protection of the environment is the one compiled by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management.

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