Shell still using gas flaring in the Niger Delta – strong greenhouse gas contributions, causing acid rain and ground water contamination.
Incident Tag: Pollution
Texaco/Chevron lawsuits (re Ecuador)
Allegations that ‘Lago Agrio oil field’ operations polluted rainforests and rivers, resulting in serious damages to environment and health of locals.
Judge approves Exxon Mobil settlement over 2013 Arkansas spill
‘Mayflower’ oil spill occurs after pipeline raptures; release of 3,000 barrels of oil; homes evacuated; violation of federal Clean Water Act and state environmental laws – $5.07 million.
Yellowstone river oil spill throws spotlight on ExxonMobil and regulators
‘Yellowstone River’ oil spill occurs after pipeline raptures; estimated 1000 barrels of oil leak into river; Oil executives criticised for conflicting accounts of breach and regulators accused of failing to ensure safe operation.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill | Exxon Valdez Spill Profile
‘Exxon Valdez’ oil spill occurs after oil tanker is struck by reef; considered the most devastating human-caused environmental disaster; leak of 11 million US galons of oil; immense wildlife death toll; local fishing industry irreparably damaged; Exxon widely criticized for its slow clean-up response – $500 million in punitive damages.
Shell comes under fire for role in Sakhalin audit
US government releases emails of Shell officials downplaying the significance of Russian environmental audit of Shakhalin II energy project by persuading the Atomic Energy Authority to disperse the findings through the report to receive vital bank funding. The project’s environmental projection is dire; 1.6m tonnes of carbon dioxide; threat to endangered species and other wildlife.
Alaska hit by ‘massive’ oil spill
‘Prudhoe Bay’ five-day oil spill caused by knowing neglect of corroding pipelines; around one million oil liters leaked.
BP Texas Refinery Had Huge Toxic Release Just Before Gulf Blowout
Illegal emission of harmful air pollutants from refinery, owing to persistent operation of malfunction-associated units.
Oil giants to settle lawsuit over water contaminated by MTBE
Settled lawsuit over leak of environmentally hazardous gasoline additive MTBE, found throughout water systems; plaintiffs maintain the oil industry knew about environmental dangers yet rejected alternatives because of cost – $422 million.
BP lawsuit (re Colombia)
Construction of BP’s OCENSA pipeline causes soil erosion, spoiled crops and fish ponds being starved of water, destroying livelihoods. BP also allegedly benefited from the activities of paramilitaries employed to guard the pipeline, who intimidated the local population, obstructed farming and suppressed legitimate opposition to the pipeline – millions of £ in out-of-court settlement.