Father sues BP over flaring
A father has initiated legal proceedings against British Petroleum (BP) concerning the death of his 21-year-old son.
Hussein Julood alleges that the flaring of gas at a BP-operated oil field in Iraq led to his son Ali developing leukemia. Flaring, a process where gas is burned off during oil extraction, is believed to release harmful chemicals such as benzene, known to cause cancer.
An investigation by a major news media in 2022 found high levels of cancer-causing pollutants in Ali’s village, linked to flaring. BP responded, stating they understand the concerns and are supporting change.
This case marks the first instance of an individual suing a major oil company over flaring practices. Mr. Julood is seeking compensation for his son’s medical expenses, loss of earnings, funeral costs, and the emotional toll.
“I am not only representing myself, but also those who suffer from pollution,” Mr. Julood told news media.
Wessen Jazrawi, partner at Hausfeld & Co representing Mr. Julood, highlighted the significance of the case in holding major carbon emitters accountable for environmental damage.
Rumaila oil field, where the incident occurred, has the highest documented levels of flaring globally, according to World Bank data.
Ali was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of 15 and underwent extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. He was in remission in 2021 but relapsed the following year and passed away.
Mr. Julood emphasized the need to stop regular flaring in Rumaila to prevent further harm to families.
BP, while not the operator of the Rumaila field, holds a significant interest in its operations. The company stated its support for reducing flaring but Mr. Julood claims there’s been little improvement.
BP’s emissions from Rumaila in 2021 exceeded 3.7 million tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to emissions from two million UK cars annually.
Despite occurring in Iraq, Mr. Julood’s claim is filed in UK courts due to BP’s UK headquarters.
BP’s response to the news media’s inquiry reiterated its support for efforts to reduce flaring and engagement with local communities.
Mr. Julood’s lawyers indicated that if BP refuses the claim, the case would proceed to court. Since addressing the BP board last year, Mr. Julood claims there have been more cancer-related deaths in the area.
The documentary “Under Poisoned Skies,” available on a media platform, explores the deadly impact of oil giants’ pollution in Iraq.
