South Sudan oil fields: pollution in Unity and Upper Nile
- The German government stated in 2017 that laboratory tests showed high, health-endangering contamination of my upper aquifer. Deutscher Bundestag
- A November 2018 Dar Petroleum study, reported by AP, documented 650 waste pits whose water contained arsenic and lead. AP via PBS NewsHour
- A 2016 study, AP reported, found mercury in my water at about 7 times the US EPA limit and manganese at about 10 times. AP via PBS NewsHour
- PAX counted 533 flooded well locations across my oil blocks in 2021. PAX
- CEOBS recorded produced-water ponds expanding by nearly 5 km² in 2021 and about 200 wells at Paloch reported submerged. Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS)
- 2,000 barrels of oil entered my waters.Government figure for the first leak near Rubkona.
- Communities and civil society Sign of Hope: Klaus Stieglitz said: "There is a direct link between the oil exploration and production in the northern part of Unity State". Radio Tamazuj
- Company or project WNPOC (now SPOC): Rejected all allegations at the time, citing its own water tests showing lower values and reviews by Norway's Directorate for Nature Management, Norconsult and the Juba Ministry of Energy and Mines, according to the German government. Deutscher Bundestag
- Government and regulators German federal government: Wrote that a causal link could not yet be clearly proven for lack of verifying on-site investigations, and that the contamination could be attributable to the oil industry. Deutscher Bundestag
- Government and regulators Government of South Sudan (Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang): "Only speculations are being made until scientific evidences are out." AP via PBS NewsHour
- Company or project GPOC, Dar Petroleum, CNPC, Sinopec and Petronas: Did not respond to AP. AP via PBS NewsHour
- Government and regulators Government of South Sudan: Put the first leak near Rubkona at 2,000 barrels. AFP via Connaissance des Énergies
- Communities and civil society Sign of Hope: Estimated 12,500 barrels ("two million litres") and reported a second leak of 25,000 barrels, 6.5 km away, using satellite images. AFP via Connaissance des Énergies
- Government and regulators Ministry of Petroleum: Could not be reached by AFP. AFP via Connaissance des Énergies
Studies and a 2017 German government answer to the Bundestag recorded contaminated groundwater near the Thar Jath, Mala and Unity oilfields in South Sudan, while the operator rejected the allegations. A government environmental audit contracted in September 2022 had not been released as of 23 January 2025.
The study analysed 146 samples and recommended a five-year cleanup costing about USD 58 million; AP reported that the four studies it obtained had not been released publicly.
Status As of 23 January 2025 (latest dated source on the audit): the 2022 environmental audit had not been released; no outcome is on record for the Ruweng petition, the Petronas arbitration or the cleanup.
- Government of South Sudan — Expected oil revenue of USD 99 million per month in the national budget, July 2019 – June 2020 (AP) AP via PBS NewsHour
- Nilepet — Took control of Petronas assets in August 2024 Radio Tamazuj
- Ruweng residents — Claimed USD 500 million in compensation in a petition to the Supreme Court in February 2020 VOA
- Petronas — Assets of about USD 1.25 billion taken over by Nilepet in August 2024; launched arbitration Radio Tamazuj
- Groundwater and wells in the Thar Jath, Mala and Unity oilfields — Over 30 shallow wells found dangerously contaminated; groundwater used by 180,000 people (Radio Tamazuj summary) Radio Tamazuj
- Land around waste pits — 650 waste pits documented in the November 2018 Dar Petroleum study (via AP) AP via PBS NewsHour
- The Sudd wetland and oil wells in flood zones — 533 flooded well locations in 2021 (PAX) PAX
What happened
A study by researchers from AfricaWater, Sign of Hope and Juba University, "Effect of oil exploration and production on the salinity of a marginally permeable aquifer system in the Thar Jath-, Mala- and Unity Oilfields, Southern Sudan", drew on Sign of Hope sampling in 2008–2013 and was published in Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie in November 2014. Radio Tamazuj summarised it: over 100 water samples were taken from mud pits, wells, oil facilities and swamps; "over 30 shallow wells" were found dangerously contaminated; some well water had four times the safe salinity and some mud pits more than forty times the safe amount of salt; lead was "sometimes five times the safe amount"; groundwater is used by 180,000 people. In March 2016 Sign of Hope reported hair samples from 96 volunteers near the Thar Jath plant, saying they showed people "highly intoxicated with pollutants such as lead and barium".
In a written answer to the Bundestag (Drucksache 18/11881, dated 4 April 2017) the German government stated that laboratory tests "show high, health-endangering contamination of the upper aquifer". It stated that a causal link "could not yet be clearly proven for lack of verifying on-site investigations", and that the substances found match those used in crude production, especially drilling, so that the contamination "could be attributable" to the oil industry. The operator then known as WNPOC, now SPOC, "rejected all allegations at the time", citing its own water tests showing lower values and reviews by Norway's Directorate for Nature Management, Norconsult and the Juba Ministry of Energy and Mines.
On 14 February 2020 AP reported on four unreleased reports: a 2013 government survey, a 2016 study of soldiers' samples, a July 2018 EnviroCare study and a November 2018 Dar Petroleum study. The Dar Petroleum study analysed 146 samples, found "extremely high" hydrocarbon levels and documented 650 waste pits with water contaminated with arsenic and lead; it recommended a five-year cleanup costing about USD 58 million. The 2016 study found mercury in water about 7 times the US EPA limit and manganese about 10 times. AP reported that insiders said Dar Petroleum never acted on the oil ministry's December 2018 cleanup order, and noted "no definitive proof" that the pollution caused the health problems.
AFP reported in February 2020 that the government put a 2019 pipeline leak near Rubkona at 2,000 barrels, while Sign of Hope estimated 12,500 barrels and reported a second leak of 25,000 barrels 6.5 km away, using satellite images. PAX, with Utrecht University, counted 533 flooded well locations in 2021 using remote sensing and a hydrological model, and wrote that it is "unknown" whether pollution resulted. CEOBS identified dumping in May and July 2021, produced-water ponds expanding by nearly 5 km² in 2021 and about 200 wells at Paloch reported submerged.
Ruweng residents petitioned the Supreme Court in February 2020 against GPOC, the Ministry of Petroleum and Nilepet, claiming USD 500 million "for the time being". The Ministry of Petroleum contracted three groups on 17 September 2022 for a 90-day environmental audit. In May 2024 the Environment Minister told parliament the audit was "almost complete" and that the contractors had withheld findings over unpaid dues; on 22–23 January 2025 the Deputy Speaker raised the delayed audit with President Salva Kiir. In August 2024 Nilepet took control of Petronas's assets, about USD 1.25 billion, after a government letter of 5 August accused Petronas of failing to conduct an environmental audit and to pay damages; Petronas launched arbitration.
- 1999Start of the period (1999–2020) for which Eye Radio attributes to a Sign of Hope study releases of salt, drilling fluids and crude into the soil
- 2008Sign of Hope sampling period begins (2008–2013)
- 2014Nov: study published in Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie
- 2016Mar: Sign of Hope reports hair-sample results from 96 volunteers near the Thar Jath plant
- 2017German government answer to the Bundestag (Drucksache 18/11881)
- 2018Jul: EnviroCare study; Nov: Dar Petroleum study; Dec: oil ministry cleanup order (AP)
- 2019Two pipeline leaks near Rubkona
- 2020Feb: Ruweng petition to the Supreme Court; 14 Feb: AP reports on four unreleased studies
- 2021PAX counts 533 flooded well locations; CEOBS identifies dumping in May and July
- 202217 Sep: audit contracts awarded, 90-day term
- 2024May: Environment Minister says the audit is "almost complete"; Aug: Nilepet takes control of Petronas assets and Petronas launches arbitration
- 202522–23 Jan: Deputy Speaker raises the delayed audit with President Kiir; audit not released
What was said
“show high, health-endangering contamination of the upper aquifer”
“could not yet be clearly proven for lack of verifying on-site investigations”
“rejected all allegations at the time”
“There is a direct link between the oil exploration and production in the northern part of Unity State”
“Only speculations are being made until scientific evidences are out.”
“The pollution is a public health and environmental emergency.”
“must be ethical and must not compromise with the lives of our people”
“the Joint Operating Companies already contributed money for the audit”
“We are claiming compensation on behalf of the people of Ruweng state”
“to be described as deficient”
“unresolved to this day”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Klaus Stieglitz said: "There is a direct link between the oil exploration and production in the northern part of Unity State".
Radio TamazujRejected all allegations at the time, citing its own water tests showing lower values and reviews by Norway's Directorate for Nature Management, Norconsult and the Juba Ministry of Energy and Mines, according to the German government.
Deutscher BundestagWrote that a causal link could not yet be clearly proven for lack of verifying on-site investigations, and that the contamination could be attributable to the oil industry.
Deutscher Bundestag"Only speculations are being made until scientific evidences are out."
AP via PBS NewsHourDid not respond to AP.
AP via PBS NewsHourPut the first leak near Rubkona at 2,000 barrels.
AFP via Connaissance des ÉnergiesEstimated 12,500 barrels ("two million litres") and reported a second leak of 25,000 barrels, 6.5 km away, using satellite images.
AFP via Connaissance des ÉnergiesCould not be reached by AFP.
AFP via Connaissance des ÉnergiesSaid in May 2024 that the contractors withheld findings over unpaid dues.
Eye RadioSaid "the Joint Operating Companies already contributed money for the audit" and asked parliament to question the ministry about "the whereabouts of the money"; no amount was given.
Eye RadioA letter of 5 August 2024 accused Petronas of failing to conduct an environmental audit and to pay damages.
Radio TamazujLaunched arbitration and described the government's actions as arbitrary and unreasonable, according to Radio Tamazuj.
Radio TamazujHow it looked
Shown
- The 2013, 2016 and 2018 studies were never released to the public.AP, 14 February 2020 · AP via PBS NewsHour
- The petition would be addressed through the ongoing environmental audit.Akol Nyok Akol, executive secretary of the Petroleum Ministry, paraphrased by VOA, 2020 · VOA
- The contractors withheld findings over unpaid dues.Josephine Napwon, Environment Minister, May 2024, as reported by Eye Radio · Eye Radio
Recorded
- Dar Petroleum 2018 study (via AP): 650 waste pits, arsenic and lead in pit water, "extremely high" hydrocarbons, compromised pit liners.
- The German government stated that it had no information on whether SPOC carried out the social, environmental and strategic impact assessments required by the Petroleum Act 2012.
- Eye Radio attributed to a Sign of Hope study for 1999–2020 the release into the soil of 8.3 million tons of salt, 7.9 billion litres of well-drilling fluids and 6 million litres of crude.
- PAX counted 533 flooded well locations in 2021: Block 2, 159 (41%); Block 5b, 74 (74%); Block 7/3, 300 (35%); for Block 5A it reported that "out of the 486 oil extraction points, flood water overflowed 233 wells".
- German BMZ funding of Sign of Hope deep-well projects: EUR 75,531 (2009–2010); EUR 200,000 (2011–2012); EUR 400,000 (2012–2013), ended early with EUR 139,000 repaid; EUR 425,100 (2013–2014) planned but not implemented, with no funds spent. Wells were built at nine sites and later damaged or destroyed in the civil war.
- The Sudd is Ramsar Site no. 1622, 5,700,000 ha, designated on 5 June 2006.
- CEOBS cited the Nile Basin Initiative's estimate of the total economic value of Sudd ecosystem services at USD 3.3 billion.
- Audit contracts of 17 September 2022: COWI SA / Norway Bridge Consult / Environ Care for DPOC; Envag Associates Kenya Company Limited for GPOC; Panloy & SGS Company Limited for SPOC.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- WNPOC (now SPOC) (2017-04-04): According to the German government, rejected all allegations at the time, citing its own water tests showing lower values and reviews by Norway's Directorate for Nature Management, Norconsult and the Juba Ministry of Energy and Mines. · Deutscher Bundestag
- Government of South Sudan (2020-02-14): Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang said "Only speculations are being made until scientific evidences are out"; President Salva Kiir acknowledged a pollution problem in a January 2020 statement (AP). · AP via PBS NewsHour
- Ministry of Petroleum (South Sudan) (2020-02): Executive secretary Akol Nyok Akol said, as paraphrased by VOA, that the Ruweng petition would be addressed through the ongoing environmental audit; the ministry could not be reached by AFP on the 2019 pipeline leaks. · VOA
- GPOC, Dar Petroleum, CNPC, Sinopec and Petronas (2020-02-14): Did not respond to AP. · AP via PBS NewsHour
- Petronas (2024-08-28): Launched arbitration after the takeover of its assets by Nilepet in August 2024. · Radio Tamazuj
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2020–Outcome not on record$500m claimed "for the time being"Ruweng residents v. GPOC, Ministry of Petroleum and Nilepet (compensation for oil spills)Supreme Court of South Sudan · Civil · Ruweng residents → GPOC; Ministry of Petroleum; Nilepet
Petition filed in February 2020. The Ministry of Petroleum's executive secretary said, as paraphrased by VOA, that it would be addressed through the ongoing environmental audit. No outcome is reported. VOA
- 2024–Outcome not on recordPetronas v. South Sudan (takeover of Petronas oil assets)Arbitration (forum not named in the article) · Arbitration · Petronas → Government of South Sudan
Petronas launched arbitration in August 2024 after Nilepet took control of assets of about USD 1.25 billion (RM5.43 billion); a government letter of 5 August 2024 had accused Petronas of failing to conduct an environmental audit and to pay damages. Radio Tamazuj
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
Court
Accounts
- Disputed Payment for the environmental audit
- Disputed Petronas's exit and the takeover of its assets in August 2024
- None on record GPOC, Dar Petroleum, CNPC, Sinopec and Petronas: Did not respond to AP.
- None on record Ministry of Petroleum: Could not be reached by AFP.
Record
- Not disclosed Not disclosed: the environmental audit contracted in September 2022 had not been released as of 23 January 2025 (Eye Radio); the contract value was not stated.
- Not disclosed Not disclosed: the 2013 government survey, the 2016 study of soldiers' samples, the July 2018 EnviroCare study and the November 2018 Dar Petroleum study were never publicly released (AP, 14 February 2020).
- Disputed Disputed: whether oil operations caused the groundwater contamination — Sign of Hope states a direct link, WNPOC (now SPOC) rejected the allegations, and the German government wrote that a causal link was not yet clearly proven but that the contamination could be attributable to the oil industry.
- Unclear Unclear: AP noted "no definitive proof" that the pollution caused the health problems it described.
- Unclear Unclear: PAX wrote that it is "unknown" whether pollution resulted from the flooded wells.
- Self-reported only Self-reported only: Sign of Hope hair samples from 96 volunteers; the article gives no values.
- None on record None on record: payment toward the USD 58 million cleanup proposed in 2018.
- None on record None on record: information from the German government on whether SPOC carried out the impact assessments required by the Petroleum Act 2012; the government described implementation of the Act's environmental norms as "deficient" and the question of liability and remediation as "unresolved to this day" (translated).
- None on record None on record: the outcome of the Ruweng petition at the Supreme Court and of the Petronas arbitration; insurance.
Did the harm stop?
None on record. The government audit contracted in September 2022 had not been released as of 23 January 2025.
Who paid?
None on record. No payment toward the USD 58 million cleanup proposed in 2018 is on record.
Sources
Government and regulators
Press and investigations
- Study: 'Direct link' between oil exploration and water pollution in UnityRadio Tamazuj · 2015-02-28
- South Sudan oil pollution threatens thousandsRadio Tamazuj · 2016-03-08
- South Sudan ignores reports on oil pollution and birth defectsAP via PBS NewsHour · 2020-02-14
- Petroleum ministry contracts 3 companies to carry out environmental audit in oilfieldsRadio Tamazuj · 2022-09-17
- Lawmaker Ayen raises concern about delayed environmental audit reportEye Radio · 2025-01-23
- South Sudan: an NGO calls on the authorities to close a 'dilapidated' pipeline responsible for pollution (French; title translated)AFP via Connaissance des Énergies · 2020-02-25
- Petronas launches arbitration over South Sudan's takeover of its oil assetsRadio Tamazuj · 2024-08-28
Communities and civil society
- Is South Sudan's Sudd wetland at a fork in the road?Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) · 2021-11
International bodies
- Sudd, Ramsar Site no. 1622, accessed 19 October 2026Ramsar Sites Information Service · 2026-10-19
Connected cases
- Niger Delta oil spills and sabotage attribution (Shell, Eni) Nigeria · 2008–2022 Related matter
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- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: Co-owner of the refinery
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Satellite and incident analysis
- Ammonia release at Sumykhimprom (Sumy) and nitric-acid explosions at Rubizhne, 2022 Ukraine · 2022–2024
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Recorded the Rubizhne explosions and plumes
- Azovstal, Mariupol and the Sea of Azov, 2022– Ukraine · 2022–2023
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Satellite damage assessment and pre-war pollution summary
- Black Sea dolphin and porpoise deaths since 2022 Ukraine · 2022–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Published 2022 mortality summary; states post-mortem results not public
- Buzachi Operating: KZT 8.4 billion for gas losses and unauthorised flaring (Mangystau, 2025) Kazakhstan · 2019–2026
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: 50% owner
- Chad–Cameroon pipeline and Doba oil fields: World Bank conditions, revenue law, Inspection Panel and 2023 nationalisation Chad · 1999–2026
- Petronas (Company) — here: Majority shareholder in SPOC; assets taken over by Nilepet in August 2024; there: Consortium member
- CNPC crude dumping in the Bongor basin: US$1.2 billion fine and US$400 million settlement Chad · 2013–2015
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: Parent of the operating unit CNPC International Chad
- Desalination plants hit in the 2026 war: Qeshm Island and Bahrain Iran · 2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Described the environmental risks of damage to desalination plants
- Fuel-depot fires at Kalynivka, Kriachky and Lutsk, 2022 Ukraine · 2022
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Measurement summaries for Kalynivka and Lutsk
- Gezira irrigation scheme: wartime losses in Al Gezira State Sudan · 2023–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Satellite analysis of land and vegetation loss
- Gulf War compensation (UNCC) and Kuwait oil-damage remediation Kuwait · 1991–2025
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Research NGO reporting the environmental claims figures
- Hoor al-Azim wetland, oil-field development and dikes in Khuzestan Iran · 2007–2026
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: South Azadegan contractor (US$2.5 billion)
- Japan plans cross-border CO2 storage in Malaysia by 2030 Malaysia · 2026–2030
- Petronas (Company) — here: Majority shareholder in SPOC; assets taken over by Nilepet in August 2024; there: Malaysian state oil company named in the plan
- Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Batwa evictions and killings DR Congo · 1975–2024
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Funded Sign of Hope deep-well projects; there: Ministry on whose behalf KfW funds the park
- Makeshift oil refineries in northeast Syria linked to poisoned streams Syria · 2020
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Published the report on the refineries
- Mangistaumunaigas fines for wastewater injection, drilling waste and furnace emissions (Mangystau, 2024) Kazakhstan · 2024–2025
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: 50% owner
- Methane super-emitters in Turkmenistan's oil and gas fields Turkmenistan · 2017–2026
- Petronas (Company) — here: Majority shareholder in SPOC; assets taken over by Nilepet in August 2024; there: Operator of the Kiyanly onshore terminal
- Munition residues and war damage in Ukrainian soils: measurements and state damage assessments Ukraine · 2022–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Hosted the April 2024 joint statement on mine action and food security
- Niger–Benin crude export pipeline (WAPCO): financing, land compensation and the June 2024 sabotage spill Niger · 2018–2024
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: Majority owner and, through CNPC Finance (HK), lender
- Plant-for-the-Planet: 13.6 billion trees Germany / Global · 2011–2024
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Funded Sign of Hope deep-well projects; there: Funder of the Crowther Lab via the foundation
- Strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, 2025 and 2026: IAEA statements on contamination and the Bushehr reactor Iran · 2025–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Summarised IAEA statements and reported on strikes near Bushehr
- Strikes on Iranian oil and gas facilities, June 2025 and March 2026, and damage at Qatar's Ras Laffan Iran · 2025–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Published the June 2025 overview
- Strikes on Tehran fuel depots, March 2026: smoke, black rain and Iran's "ecocide" claim Iran · 2025–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Published risk summaries and imagery analysis
- Sudan gold: mercury and cyanide in mining, and the wartime gold trade Sudan · 2008–2026
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Environmental analysis of the war
- Sudan gum arabic belt: wartime production losses and EU and GCF funding Sudan · 2013–2028
- Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) (NGO) — here: Analysis of the Sudd and oil-field dumping; there: Analysis of gum arabic as a funding source for both parties
- Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve: 2019 boundary change around CNPC oil blocks Niger · 2012–2023
- China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (Company) — here: Named by AP among companies that did not respond; there: Holds exploration rights in part of the reserve; investment of about $5 billion
- Tropical Forest Forever Facility Brazil · 2025
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Funded Sign of Hope deep-well projects; there: Pledged 1 billion euros over 10 years (via Germany's environment ministry)