Chinese, Malaysian, Indian and Sudanese companies involved in the extraction of crude oil in Mala and Thar Jath fields, Unity State, do not respect international standards and may cause an ecological disaster in the area.
Hella Rueskamp is a geologist that conducted water quality studies in the two oil areas for the German NGO Sign of Hope.
Dr. Rueskamp told SCR News that the companies do not dispose properly of mud from oil drilling and have contaminated the water in the area with salts and heavy metals.
Dr. Rueskamp explained that superficial water around oil fields is tainted with heavy metals like lead and chrome, and potassium and sodium, two salts used to compact the soil during drilling and to cool the equipment.
She added the water contamination in Mala and Thar Jath can amount to an environmental disaster if not contained.
Dr. Rueskamp said the oil companies have to seal the mud pits to avoid salts and heavy metals to spill to superficial waters when it rains.
She added the companies were not respecting international guidelines for the sector.
Dr. Rueskamp explained that since Sign of Hope launched an international alert about the water contamination in the oil fields the oil drillers started addressing the situation.