Life at 50°C: Exposing the toxic record of Colombia's oil giant | BBC World Service Documentaries

Summary of YouTube Video Transcript

Key Concepts:

• River Magdalena: Colombia's primary river, vital for ecosystems and communities.
• Ecopetrol: Colombia's largest oil company, majority state-owned, operating in the Magdalena Medio region.
• Environmental Pollution: Waste water discharge, oil spills, methane emissions, and contamination of water sources and wetlands.
• Whistle-blower: Andres Olarte, former advisor to Ecopetrol's CEO, who exposed environmental violations.
• Armed Conflict: Long-standing conflict in Colombia involving guerrilla groups, paramilitaries, and the government, impacting the oil industry.
• Environmental Activists: Individuals and groups defending the environment, often facing threats and violence.
• Fracking: Controversial oil extraction method opposed by local communities due to environmental concerns.
• Methane Emissions: Release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through venting and leaks.
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Cancer-causing chemicals associated with oil and gas production, found in contaminated sediments.
• Anencephaly: A birth defect where babies are born with underdeveloped brains, potentially linked to heavy metal exposure.

Environmental Degradation of the River Magdalena

The River Magdalena, Colombia's lifeblood, faces severe environmental challenges due to rising temperatures, pollution, and climate change. Endangered species are dying, and the river ecosystem is under stress. The fishing communities, who depend on the river, are particularly affected by the declining biodiversity.

Ecopetrol's Environmental Violations

Andres Olarte, a former advisor to Ecopetrol's CEO, discovered and shared evidence of the company's environmental violations. He found that waste water discharges from Ecopetrol's refinery into the Magdalena River were outside the norm of water quality regulation in Colombia, posing health risks to downstream communities. A database revealed thousands of violations of Colombia's environmental laws and regulations, including air pollution, methane emissions, water contamination, and deforestation. Around 20% of the polluted sites were marked as being only known to Ecopetrol, suggesting a process of hiding information from the government.

Oil Spills and Unresolved Environmental Impacts

Ecopetrol's database recorded 839 oil-polluted sites called unresolved environmental impacts, some not fully cleaned up after a decade or more. 61 of these sites are in the Palagua oil field in the wetlands of the Magdalena Medio, on land belonging to farmer Wilson Valencia. Valencia claims that Ecopetrol's attempts to remediate the pollution have been ineffective, creating a "vicious circle" of recontamination. The water sources on his property are contaminated and unsuitable for human consumption, agriculture, or livestock.

Community Monitoring and Scientific Studies

Yuli Velasquez, president of the Fishing Union of Santander (FEDEPESAN), and her colleagues have been working with scientists at the Humboldt Institute to monitor the water quality and alert other fishers of problems. Their monitoring involves basic tests to detect heavy metals and assess pH levels. A study published by the Humboldt Institute showed that two-thirds of the points tested in the wetlands had high levels of heavy metals.

Ecopetrol's Response and Denials

Felipe Bayon, CEO of Ecopetrol from 2017 to 2023, denied that there was a policy of hiding unresolved oil pollution. He blamed unresolved oil pollution on sabotage by illegal armed groups. However, the BBC obtained figures from the Colombian environmental regulator showing that Ecopetrol has recorded hundreds of oil spills a year since 2020. Bayon claimed that he personally ordered the clean-up of the Palagua oil field, but correspondence from the environmental regulator indicated that none of the unresolved oil pollution had been remediated as of August 2024.

Methane Emissions and Illegal Venting

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) verified Andres Olarte's evidence on Ecopetrol's methane emissions. Methane venting, the intentional release of the gas into the atmosphere, is illegal in Colombia except in a few circumstances. Footage from 2019 by NGOs Earthworks and CHRE showed illegal venting at a number of sites. When the EIA went back in 2023 with Earthworks, they found there were still problems, with continuous plumes of methane at the Barrancabermeja refinery. Experts told the BBC that these clips show routine venting from gas wells, which is illegal in Colombia.

Health Impacts and Water Pollution

A scientific survey commissioned by the EIA found that the majority of sites assessed in the wetlands were contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potentially cancer-causing chemicals. A senior local doctor, Dr. Yesid Blanco, observed health problems in children, including chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, anemia, and skin problems, which he attributed to water pollution. He also noted a cluster of patients with anencephaly, a birth defect potentially linked to heavy metal exposure.

Landfill and Waste Management

A landfill established in a previously protected area of the wetlands near Barrancabermeja receives waste from the city and neighboring municipalities, including waste from Ecopetrol's contractors. Local environmentalists claim that potentially toxic discharge is overflowing into local water sources. Dr. Yesid Blanco filed a court case against Veolia, Ecopetrol, and the local water company, but it was dismissed on procedural grounds.

Threats and Violence Against Environmental Defenders

Andres Olarte received death threats after leaving Ecopetrol and had to leave Colombia. Yuveliz Morales, who led protests against fracking, received threats from armed men. Yuli Velasquez, head of the fishing union, has received repeated death threats, and her union was declared a military target by the Gulf Clan (AGC). Farmer Wilson Valencia has been threatened and intimidated by armed masked men.

Paramilitary Involvement and Ecopetrol

Colombia's oil industry has been entangled in the armed conflict for decades. Salvatore Mancuso, former AUC commander, alleged that Ecopetrol paid the group for its services in oil. A former army captain, Jose Gonzalez, admitted to working for Ecopetrol as a senior security manager and acting as a key conduit between senior security management at Ecopetrol and paramilitaries. Ecopetrol denies the allegations and says it is fully cooperating with the inquiry.

Private Security and Conflict of Interest

Ecopetrol paid a total of 65 million US dollars to over 2,800 private security companies in 2018. There is a risk of contagion between the private security companies, the types of people they employ, and their desire to continually maintain their contract, potentially leading to violence against community leaders and environmental defenders.

Government Response and Transition to Renewable Energy

In 2022, Colombia elected its first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, who has criticized Ecopetrol's record and announced that Colombia would transition away from fossil fuels. He has banned fracking and stopped new oil contracts. In 2023, Felipe Bayon resigned, and President Petro appointed a political ally as CEO of Ecopetrol.

Conclusion

The River Magdalena and the communities that depend on it are facing severe environmental challenges due to pollution from Ecopetrol's operations. Whistle-blowers and environmental defenders face threats and violence for speaking out. While the government has pledged to transition to renewable energy and protect environmentalists, the situation remains precarious, and the fight for environmental justice continues.