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Ledger 1 : 33 — For each dollar financing nature-based solutions in 2023, about $33 financed activities harmful to nature. (UNEP)
Cases / Pipeline · Chad · 1999–2026

Chad–Cameroon pipeline and Doba oil fields: World Bank conditions, revenue law, Inspection Panel and 2023 nationalisation

Nature's voice · report
My oil-field land in the Doba basin received one recorded oil spill of 34 barrels, contained within a few hours, according to the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (2009).
Did nature suffer? Yes. Harm is on record. Disputed
Recorded
  • In August 2006 the project's environmental management team raised a Level 1 non-compliance for excessive flaring above my fields. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
  • A study cited by IEG concluded the project failed to achieve its objective of minimizing its impact on land; about 900 households lost access to more than 20% of their land, and 509 of 549 well pads had been restored to the dimensions committed to. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
  • In 2002 the Inspection Panel found that a main water source of mine had been contaminated with sediment from road-construction runoff. World Bank Inspection Panel
  • Infill drilling of up to 400 more wells, not foreseen in the original Environmental Impact Assessment, enlarges the footprint on my land. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
  • In 2011 complainants to the IFC's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman listed pollution of soils and waters among their complaints. Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (IFC/MIGA)
  • 34 barrels of oil entered my waters.
    The one spill recorded by IEG; contained within a few hours.
What the record lacks: 4 none on record · 1 not disclosed · 1 self-reported only · 5 disputed · 2 unclear See the gaps
Accounts of the harm differ
When infill drilling began

The World Bank Group helped finance the Doba oil fields and the Chad–Cameroon export pipeline on conditions covering environmental safeguards and the use of oil revenue. Chad repaid its World Bank balances early in 2008, and in 2023 nationalised the assets ExxonMobil had agreed to sell to Savannah Energy for US$407 million.

almost US$4.4 billionGovernment oil revenue in 2003–08 (World Bank IEG)
IEG stated this was 17 times the projection of about US$250 million in direct revenue for 2005–08.

Status As of 25 August 2026: arbitration between Savannah's subsidiaries and the Republic of Chad pending before ICC tribunals; Savannah expects the main proceedings to conclude in H2 2026.

What?
The World Bank Group and the EIB helped finance the Doba oil fields and the Chad–Cameroon pipeline on environmental and revenue-use conditions; Chad changed the revenue law in 2005 and repaid the World Bank early in 2008, and in 2023 nationalised the assets ExxonMobil had sold to Savannah Energy, which brought arbitration. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Where?
Doba basin oil fields in Logone Oriental, southern Chad, and an export pipeline of more than 1,000 km through Cameroon to an offshore loading facility near Kribi. World Bank Inspection Panel
When?
Revenue law 1999; World Bank approval June 2000; exports from October 2003; revenue law amended 29 December 2005; early repayment 5 September 2008; sale agreed 13 December 2021; nationalisation 23 March 2023; arbitration pending as of 25 August 2026. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Who?
Gained
  • Government of Chad — Oil revenue of almost US$4.4 billion in 2003–08, 17 times the World Bank's projection for direct revenue (IEG) World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
  • ExxonMobil — US$407 million sale price for its Chad and Cameroon portfolio, closed 9 December 2022 Perivan
  • Operator and complainant organisations — Compensation, studies and rehabilitation under the 2017 agreement; no amounts published Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (IFC/MIGA)
Lost
  • Savannah Energy — Assets nationalised on 23 March 2023; claims in excess of US$775 million; states no compensation paid as of 25 August 2026 Savannah Energy PLC
  • Government of Chad — Faces Savannah's claims and has counterclaimed approximately US$699.1 million Savannah Energy PLC
Harmed
Why?
The World Bank said the arrangements behind its involvement were not working; IEG gave the lack of government ownership as the principal reason for the disappointing outcome; the Government of Chad cited the rigidity of the revenue mechanism and rebel attacks in April 2006 and February 2008 as the reason for higher defence spending. Chad said the 2023 nationalisation followed a sale made without respect for its laws. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
How?
An escrow account in London held oil export revenue under the 1999 law; the 2005 amendment abolished the Future Generations Fund and widened the priority sectors; the World Bank suspended disbursements, a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding followed, and Chad repaid its balances in 2008. In 2023 a presidential decree nationalised the Esso entities' assets. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
6 of 6 questions answered from the record

What happened

The record, in order.

The Doba basin oil fields in Logone Oriental, southern Chad, and an export pipeline of more than 1,000 km through Cameroon to an offshore loading facility near Kribi were financed mostly by private industry (ExxonMobil, Petronas, Chevron). The World Bank Group also lent and set two conditions: environmental and social safeguards, and a Petroleum Revenue Management Law (PRML, 1999) that tied oil revenue to poverty spending. The World Bank Board approved the project in June 2000 and the European Investment Bank (EIB) its financing in July 2000. Oil exports began in October 2003.

On 22 March 2001 a Request for Inspection was submitted to the World Bank Inspection Panel on behalf of Ngarlejy Yorongar, a member of parliament, and more than 100 residents. The Panel's Investigation Report of 17 July 2002 found non-compliance with the environmental assessment policy (OD 4.01), the economic evaluation policy (OP 10.04) and the poverty reduction policy (OD 4.15), and compliance with several others. On 12 September 2002 the Board approved Management's action plan. The Panel's site visit recorded a main water source contaminated with sediment from road-construction runoff.

On 29 December 2005 Chad amended the PRML, abolishing the Future Generations Fund (which held US$36 million) and adding justice, territorial administration and security to the priority sectors. The World Bank suspended disbursements about a week later and froze withdrawals from the escrow account. A July 2006 Memorandum of Understanding set at least 70% of budget resources for priority sectors; about 58% was spent on them in 2007. On 5 September 2008 Chad repaid its outstanding World Bank balances, which the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) put at US$65.7 million and Chad's Ministry of Economy and Planning at US$67.5 million.

IEG's 2009 assessment recorded government oil revenue of almost US$4.4 billion in 2003–08, an expansion from three to six fields, and infill drilling that could take the total from 300 to about 700–800 wells, up to 400 more than the original Environmental Impact Assessment foresaw. It also recorded one oil spill of 34 barrels, and that environmental regulations and oil spill response plans for the fields and pipeline had not been approved. A complaint to the IFC's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) in 2011 led to a mediated agreement with the operator on 16 January 2017.

On 13 December 2021 ExxonMobil agreed to sell its Chad and Cameroon upstream and pipeline portfolio to Savannah Energy for US$407 million; Savannah declared the deal closed on 9 December 2022. On 23 March 2023 a presidential decree nationalised the assets of Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc. and Esso Pipeline Investments Ltd. Savannah's subsidiaries began arbitration. As of 25 August 2026 Savannah's subsidiaries claim in excess of US$775 million for the nationalisation, Chad has counterclaimed approximately US$699.1 million, and Savannah expects the main proceedings to conclude in the second half of 2026.

  1. 1999Petroleum Revenue Management Law passed; escrow account for oil revenue set up in London
  2. 2000World Bank Board approves the project (June); EIB approves its financing (July); consortium pays Chad a US$25 million bonus (August)
  3. 2001Request for Inspection submitted (22 Mar)
  4. 2002Inspection Panel report to the Board (17 Jul); Board approves Management's action plan (12 Sep)
  5. 2003Oil exports begin (October)
  6. 2005Chad amends the revenue law (29 Dec); World Bank suspends disbursements about a week later
  7. 2006Memorandum of Understanding between Chad and the World Bank (July)
  8. 2008Chad repays its World Bank balances (5 Sep)
  9. 2011Complaint filed with the IFC's Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (October)
  10. 2012IFC exits the project after its loan is repaid
  11. 2017Mediated agreement between the operator and the complainant organisations (16 Jan)
  12. 2020CAO case closes (May)
  13. 2021ExxonMobil signs the sale of its Chad and Cameroon assets to Savannah Energy (13 Dec)
  14. 2022Savannah declares the US$407 million acquisition closed (9 Dec)
  15. 2023Presidential decree nationalises the assets (23 Mar); minister defends the law before the National Transition Council (29 Mar); Savannah's subsidiaries start arbitration
  16. 2026Savannah expects the main arbitration proceedings to conclude in H2 2026 (update of 25 Aug)

What was said

Claims, in the words of those who made them.

“The Bank therefore concluded that it could not continue to support this project under these circumstances.”

“the principal reason for its overall disappointing outcome was the lack of government ownership.”

“the revenue lockbox turned out to be made of tissue paper”

“The rigidity of the oil revenue management mechanism and the World Bank's lack of flexibility … became a straight jacket”

“without respect for the laws of the Republic”

Djerassem Le Bémadjiel, Minister of Hydrocarbons, on the transfer of Esso's assets to Savannah, before the National Transition Council · 29 March 2023 · translated from French · Tchadinfos

“direct breach of the Conventions”

Savannah Energy, on Chad's actions · March 2023 · Al Jazeera

Where accounts differ

Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.

Amount Chad repaid to the World Bank on 5 September 2008
International bodies
World Bank Independent Evaluation Group

US$65.7 million.

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Government and regulators
Chad, Ministry of Economy and Planning

US$ 67,5 millions.

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Whether the 2005 amendment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Law was unilateral
International bodies
World Bank Independent Evaluation Group

The amendment was unilateral; the Government's position is "not supported by the timing and tone of the letters sent to the Bank (and the IMF) in 2005".

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Government and regulators
Government of Chad

The amendment was not unilateral: it was made at the behest of civil society groups opposed to the Fund, and by the Assembly.

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
When infill drilling began
International bodies
IFC

2005.

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Company or project
EEPCI (the operator)

Mid-2008; the wells drilled in 2003–08 were development wells within the original spacing pattern.

World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
Whether the sale to Savannah and the nationalisation complied with the conventions
Government and regulators
Government of Chad

The sale ignored Chad's objections and right of first refusal and breached Article 30(1), which requires the State's prior approval of any transfer of petroleum assets.

Tchadinfos
Company or project
Savannah Energy

Chad's actions are a direct breach of the Conventions; the claims and counterclaims are pending before ICC tribunals.

Savannah Energy PLC

How it looked

What was shown, beside what was recorded.

Shown

  • World Bank (September 2008): the arrangements behind its involvement "were not working".
  • Government of Chad (2009): the World Bank took a "unilateral decision to disengage from the project".
  • Government of Chad (March 2023): the transfer to Savannah was made without respect for the laws of the Republic and Savannah lacked the technical and financial capacity to run the pipeline.
  • Savannah Energy (August 2026): it "remains ready and willing to discuss with the Government of the Republic of Chad an amicable solution" and calls Chad's counterclaims "baseless and without merit".

Recorded

  • IEG recorded one oil spill, of 34 barrels, contained within a few hours.
  • IEG recorded that environmental regulations for the oil fields and pipeline, and the oil spill response plans in both countries, had not been approved, and that there was no government presence in the oil fields for monitoring or reporting.
  • About 900 households lost access to more than 20% of their land; 509 of 549 well pads had been restored to the dimensions committed to in the Environmental Management Plan (Barclay-Koppert report, cited by IEG).
  • Compensation paid in the oil-field area by 2002 was CFAF 248 million (approximately US$350,000), of which 22% was paid in kind.
  • Government oil revenue in 2003–08 was almost US$4.4 billion against a projection of about US$250 million in direct revenue for 2005–08.
  • The 2017 agreement between the operator and the complainant organisations lists compensation, a hydrological study, removal of left-over materials and rehabilitation of wells and rural tracks, with no amounts published.

Who gained

Money that reached nature, beside money that stayed elsewhere.

Reached nature or the ground

Not published
Restoration of well pads—
509 of 549 well pads restored to committed dimensions; no cost stated.
Compensation for land and trees in the oil-field area, to 2002$0.35m
Window: to 2002
CFAF 248 million, Management's figure as reported by the Inspection Panel; 22% paid in kind.

Gained elsewhere

Not totalled
World Bank (IBRD) loan, 2002$40m
Window: 2002
IFC loan, 2002$100m
Window: 2002
Initial bonus from the consortium to Chad$25m
Window: 2000
Government oil revenue, 2003–08$4.4bn
Window: 2003–08
IEG figure.
Early repayment of World Bank balances$66m
Window: 2008
IEG figure; Chad's Ministry of Economy and Planning gives US$67.5 million.
Sale price, ExxonMobil to Savannah Energy$407m
Window: 2022
Savannah subsidiaries' claim for the nationalisation$775m
Window: as of Aug 2026
Plus interest estimated at in excess of US$215 million, and costs.
Chad's counterclaims$699m
Window: as of Aug 2026
Without interest and costs.
Currency: USD · Window: Mixed — see each line. Figures cover different periods and are not compared as a ratio. * Estimate built from cited figures.

Responses on record

  • world-bank (September 2008): The arrangements behind its involvement "were not working"; the Bank "could not continue to support this project under these circumstances". · climate-diplomacy.org (adelphi)
  • chad-government (2009): Described the World Bank's "unilateral decision to disengage from the project"; said the 2005 amendment was not unilateral because it was made at the behest of civil society groups and by the Assembly. · World Bank Independent Evaluation Group
  • chad-government (29 March 2023): The transfer of Esso's assets to Savannah was made without respect for the laws of the Republic; Savannah lacks the technical and financial capacity to run the pipeline. · Tchadinfos
  • savannah-energy (March 2023 and August 2026): Chad's actions are a "direct breach of the Conventions"; remains ready and willing to discuss an amicable solution; calls Chad's counterclaims "baseless and without merit". · Savannah Energy PLC

In court and with insurers

Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.

Lawsuits and rulings

  1. 2001–2002Outcome not on record
    Inspection Panel Case 22: Request for Inspection on the Chad Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project
    World Bank Inspection Panel · International court · Ngarlejy Yorongar (member of parliament) and more than 100 residents → World Bank Management

    Investigation Report No. 23999 of 17 July 2002 found non-compliance with OD 4.01 (Environmental Assessment: spatial context, regional and cumulative assessment, baseline data, environmental costs and benefits of alternatives, institutional capacity), OP 10.04 (Economic Evaluation) and OD 4.15 (Poverty Reduction), and compliance on EA categorisation, Natural Habitats, Forests, Involuntary Resettlement (OD 4.30) and Pest Management; OD 4.20 (Indigenous Peoples) was found not applicable. The Board approved Management's action plan, including a Regional Development Plan and closer supervision, on 12 September 2002. World Bank Inspection Panel

  2. 2011–2020Settled
    IFC CAO case Chad: Chad-Cameroon Pipeline-03/Doba
    Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (IFC/MIGA) · International court · GRAMPTC, CPPN, CPPL, ROSOC, RESAP-MC, EPOZOP and ADICAM → The operator (EEPCI), IFC client

    Complaint filed 20 October 2011 (letter dated 10 October 2011). A mediated agreement with EEPCI was signed on 16 January 2017, covering compensation for farmers near facilities and for families affected by erosion, a hydrological study of the Nya river bridge, removal of left-over materials, rehabilitation of wells and rural tracks, and school equipment. Dispute resolution closed in January 2020; a compliance appraisal in May 2020 found no investigation merited. The CAO left security and oil-revenue management out of the mediation because they needed the government's participation. Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (IFC/MIGA)

  3. 2023–Ongoing$775m claimed, in excess of; plus interest estimated at in excess of 215, and costs
    SCI v. Republic of Chad (Doba rights; nationalisation)
    ICC arbitration · Arbitration · SCI and SMIL, subsidiaries of Savannah Energy → Republic of Chad

    Chad's counterclaims are approximately US$699.1 million without interest and costs. Savannah expects the SCI and SMIL cases to conclude in H2 2026. JPT reported in March 2023 that ICC arbiters had ruled for Savannah in a first round on 7 January. Savannah Energy PLC

  4. 2023–Ongoing$330m claimed, approximately; plus interest in excess of 67, and costs
    SMIL arbitration over COTCo (Cameroon pipeline company)
    ICC arbitration · Arbitration · SMIL, subsidiary of Savannah Energy → Republic of Chad

    Counterclaims by the Republic of Chad, SHT Overseas Petroleum (Cameroon), COTCo and others in the COTCo case are approximately US$58.7 million. Savannah Energy PLC

  5. Ongoing$136.9m upper end of the claimed range of 110.9 to 136.9, for alleged breaches of the Doba joint operating agreement
    Designates of SHT v. SCI (Doba joint operating agreement)
    ICC arbitration · Arbitration · Designates of SHT → SCI (Savannah Energy subsidiary)

    Expected to conclude in H1 2027, according to Savannah's update of 25 August 2026. Savannah Energy PLC

Insurers

No insurer decision on record.

What nature saw

Outcomes measured on the ground, and nature's note.

Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.

Oil spill recorded by IEG
34 barrels
One spill, contained within a few hours (IEG, 2009)
Households losing land access
about 900
More than 20% of their land each (Barclay-Koppert report, cited by IEG)
Well pads restored
509 of 549
To the dimensions committed to in the Environmental Management Plan
Infill wells beyond the original assessment
up to 400
Not foreseen in the original Environmental Impact Assessment (IEG)

What we don't know

Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.

Nature

Money

  • None on record Restoration of well pads — 509 of 549 well pads restored to committed dimensions; no cost stated.

Court

  • Unclear Inspection Panel Case 22: Request for Inspection on the Chad Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project: outcome not on record.

Accounts

  • Disputed Amount Chad repaid to the World Bank on 5 September 2008
  • Disputed Whether the 2005 amendment of the Petroleum Revenue Management Law was unilateral
  • Disputed Whether the sale to Savannah and the nationalisation complied with the conventions

Record

  • Not disclosed Not disclosed: compensation amounts and the number of beneficiaries under the 2017 agreement between the operator and the complainant organisations (CAO conclusion report, January 2020).
  • Unclear Unclear: the Nya river bridge hydrological study was still being planned, and removal of left-over materials and sharing of water studies were in progress, at the time of the CAO conclusion report (January 2020).
  • None on record None on record: approved environmental regulations for the oil fields and pipeline, and approved oil spill response plans in both countries (IEG, 2009); IEG also states there is no government presence in the oil fields for monitoring or reporting purposes and that TOTCO is self-regulating.
  • None on record None on record: an environmental liability figure, a sale price or a compensation amount in the Minister of Hydrocarbons' address of 29 March 2023, as reported by tchadinfos.
  • Self-reported only Self-reported only: Savannah states that, as of 25 August 2026, no compensation has been paid by the Government of Chad, although the government has acknowledged the right of Savannah's subsidiaries to compensation.
  • Disputed Figures differ: IEG gives Chad's 5 September 2008 repayment as US$65.7 million; Chad's Ministry of Economy and Planning gives US$67.5 million.
  • None on record None on record: insurance covering environmental damage at the Doba fields.

Did the harm stop?

None on record. Production at Doba continued after the nationalisation, at about 28,000 barrels per day from seven producing fields (March 2023).

Who paid?

Households in the oil-field area received compensation of CFAF 248 million by 2002; no payment for harm to nature is on record.

Sources

Voices on record: ✓ Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations— Communities and civil society— Researchers✓ International bodies

Company or project

  1. 7M Operational and Financial Update
    Savannah Energy PLC · 2026-08-25

Connected cases

Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.

Law and courts

Arbitration
A private dispute process in which an appointed arbitrator, instead of a court, decides the case.
Land titling
Formal legal recognition of ownership of land.

Carbon and conservation finance

Baseline
The projected scenario of what would have happened without a project, such as an expected rate of deforestation. Credits are issued for the difference between the baseline and what actually happened, so an inflated baseline produces more credits.

Bonds and banking

Arranger
The bank that structures and sells a bond or loan deal, usually for a fee.

Science and environment

Hectare (ha)
A unit of area equal to 10,000 square metres, about 2.5 acres. 100 hectares make one square kilometre.