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Responding to the story, oil giant BP, which helps run the Rumaila oil field at the centre of the investigation, said it was  “extremely concerned” by the issues raised,  and would “immediately review those concerns and work with our partners on any necessary interventions.” The oil field is the largest in Iraq, and BP holds the biggest stake in the organisation that runs it on behalf of the Iraqi state. So what action did the company take? 

On 16 February, BP issued a press release announcing that the Rumaila Operating Organisation (ROO) was  “accelerating its programme of reducing black smoke emissions” and providing “support for community health initiatives”. It also claimed that ROO had reduced flaring at its operated cites at Rumaila by “more than 65% over the past seven years”, including a 20% drop last year...

BP’s spokesperson said only: “Our position remains as in our updated statement of February 16.”

At the time the investigation was published, in September 2022, a company spokesperson told us: “BP does not have any ownership interest in the Rumaila field, or any right to the oil it produces, and has never been its operator. Its flaring and operational data are therefore not included in our reporting.”...

We asked BP whether it or ROO would consider contributing to the cost of urgent medical care needed for people in Rumaila who are suffering from cancer and other conditions that are linked to living close to gas flares. The company declined to comment.