A Report On The Lundin Case
9BR CHAMBERS & RPC SOLICITORS
Timeline
The below timeline outlines key events in the history of the Sudan conflict and notable international involvement that shape the larger context around Lundin’s presence in Sudan.
History of Sudan conflict
Year
International presence
First civil war breaks out between southern insurgents and the nascent government.
1955
Addis Ababa agreement is signed to end civil war and grant the South more autonomy.
1972
Diplomatic relations with the US resumes.
Sudan declared an independent republic.
1956
1979
First commercial discovery of oil by Chevron.
Second civil war breaks out when Nimeiri introduces sharia law; the Sudan People's Liberation Movement / Army (SPLM/A) is founded with John Garang as its leader.
1983
Widespread famine caused by drought and desertification struck western Sudan.
1984-87
SPLA attacks Chevron and forces shutdown.
End of second civil war. Military coup, led by Omar al-Bashir, overthrows Government of Sudan (GoS).
1989
UN Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) launched by the UN and member states to deliver relief aid to all internally displaced people in Sudan.
End of second civil war. Military coup, led by Omar al-Bashir, overthrows Government of Sudan (GoS).
1991
Lundin Petroleum's subsidiary, Red Sea Oil Corporation begins drilling in the Delta Tokkar Block.
Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) signed.
1997
Block 5A oil concession is awarded to a consortium including Lundin, the Malaysian company Petronas, the Austrian company OMV and the Sudanese company Sudapet. Scouting work begins.
Lundin were assured by local leaders that they are welcome in the area.
Bahr el Ghazal suffers severe famine and flooding leading to starvation, death and displacement. Aid stolen by local military leaders and tribal chiefs.
1998
A highland camp used by Lundin, 75 km south of Bentiu, is overrun and occupied. Operations are suspended.
Sudan becomes an oil exporter. With first pipeline to Port of Sudan. SPLA attacks installations.
1999
Lundin operations partly resume. Exploratory drilling begins at Thar Jath rig site in April. In May, Thar Jath is attacked, and three local guards are killed.
Lundin shifts to building infrastructure sites in Block 5A including the base camp, the airstrip refurbishment, a 75km all-weather road from Rubkona to Thar and a bridge over the Bahr el Ghazal river.
Sudan becomes an oil exporter. With first pipeline to Port of Sudan. SPLA attacks installations.
2000
Amnesty International publishes “Sudan: The Human Price of Oil”, looking at the oil industry in Sudan, relying on Peter Gadet as its sole interviewee.
SPLA declares oil facilities and personnel legitimate military targets. Attacks led by Peter Gadet (later on EU and UN sanctions list). Riek Machar resigns as VP and rejoins SPLA.
2001
The Presbyterian Church of Sudan and others file a US lawsuit against the Canadian oil and gas producer, Talisman Energy, who purchased rights to Blocks 1,2 and 4. They claim that Talisman aided the GoS in the commission of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Lundin begins its Community Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program for local community. Drilling restarts.
Christian Aid’s publishes “Scorched Earth: Oil and War in Sudan” without having visited Block 5A. CA report alleges mass displacement in the area. Swedish FM, Anna Lindh reiterates UN position that oil companies should not leave Sudan. Lindh and Embassy officials invited to Block 5A.
Ian Lundin and journalist Bengt Nilsson visit Block 5A. No evidence of displacement is found. Lundin publishes its response to Christian Aid’s report.
Helicopter used by Lundin for seismic activities shot down in December.
2002
Lundin temporarily suspends drilling operations. It warns that it needs a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement for Lundin operations to restart properly.
2003
Human Rights Watch publishes “Sudan, Oil and Human Rights” report, repeating Christian Aid’s discredited allegations.
Lundin never properly resumes operations and sells its assets in Block 5A to Petronas Carigali (without ever having produced any oil).
Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed, laying the foundations for a referendum on independence for the south in 2011. John Garang dies in a helicopter crash and Salva Kiir becomes his successor.
2005
2006
The District Court of New York dismisses the claim against Talisman.
2009
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirms the District Court’s decision. The Court holds that the claimants had failed to establish that Talisman “acted with the purpose to support the Government’s offences.”
Lundin sells its assets in Block 5B, after it failed to find oil. Lundin leaves Sudan.
2010
ECOS publishes the “Unpaid Debt – The Legacy of Lundin, Petronas and OMV in Block 5A, Sudan 1997-2003” report.
Two weeks later, the Swedish Prosecutor District Attorney Magnus Elving at the International Prosecutor’s Office in Stockholm announces its preliminary investigation into violations of humanitarian law in Sudan from 1997-2003.
Referendum held on southern independence. South Sudan becomes an independent nation.
2011
First civil war in South Sudan between Kiir and Machar supporters. 400,000 people are estimated to have died.
2013
2016
The Company Chairman and former CEO of Lundin Energy are formally declared to be under suspicion, six years after the Prosecutor began his investigation.
2018
September 2018 for the Peace Agreement - Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
South Sudan civil war ends with Peace Agreement signed in February.
2020