Iraqi father in legal first against BP over son's death, BBC, 23 April 2024

A father has started legal action against UK oil giant BP over the death of his 21-year-old son. Hussein Julood alleges the burning off of gas at a BP-run oil field in Iraq - a practice known as flaring - caused his son Ali's leukaemia.

BP said "we understand the concerns" and are supporting change.

The case is believed to be the first time an individual has started legal action against a major oil firm over its flaring practices.

The claim letter - which has been seen by BBC News - alleges that Ali's leukaemia and subsequent death was caused by "toxic emissions from the Rumaila oilfield", and that BP is partly responsible as the lead contractor...

Wessen Jazrawi, partner at Hausfeld & Co, which is representing Mr Julood, said: "This is an important example of environmental litigation seeking compensation for harmful emissions from a carbon major. Such companies have generally been able to carry out harmful environmental practices with impunity, particularly where these occur in the Global South."

Gas flaring is the burning of gas released in oil extraction; it is dangerous for human health as the gas can contain a mixture of harmful cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene.

Rumaila oil field has the highest documented levels of flaring in the world, according to BBC analysis of World Bank figures...

In 2021, Ali documented his life living within the boundaries of Rumaila oil field as part of a BBC Arabic investigation into flaring.

The BBC also undertook the first pollution monitoring in Rumaila and other local communities. The results indicated high levels of exposure to benzene and other carcinogens - substances that can increase the risk of cancer - and suggested local people were at elevated risk of leukaemia as a result of flaring...

The Iraqi government is the owner of the Rumaila oil field but BP is the lead contractor for managing the site with partners PetroChina, in a consortium called Rumaila Operating Organisation (ROO).

The operating standards for ROO - which BP signed - state: "Those who are impacted by pollution levels that exceed national limits are legally entitled to compensation."...

In response to BBC's request for comment, BP said: "As we have stated before, BP is not and has never been the operator of the Rumaila field. Nevertheless, we continue to actively support the lead contractor - Basra Energy Company Limited (BECL) - in its work to help the operator of the field, the Rumaila Operating Organisation (ROO), to reduce its flaring and emissions."...

ENDS