Bangladesh sues Canadian oil giant for gas field blowout

DHAKA: Bangladesh's military-backed government has filed a damage suit against a Canadian oil company demanding Rs 466.317 crore in compensation for 2005 blowout of a northeastern gas field, officials said on Wednesday.

The case was filed by the Energy ministry yesterday accusing the Canadian oil giant Niko Resources Ltd of negligence causing the blowout at Tengratila gas field destroying properties and gas reserves in and around the area in Sunamganj district.

Judge Abu Mohammad Aminul Ehsan of Joint District Judge's Court fixed July 31 for the next hearing.

The complainant said under the Bangladesh constitution, the government is the owner of natural resources, including gas, that was destroyed and damaged by Niko's "gross negligence and lack of skills and efficiency".

The move comes a week after left leaning parties and energy watchdogs staged protests coinciding with the third anniversary of the blowout causing a protracted forest fire around the gas field.

Besides, the blowout accounted for losses to the locals due to air pollution, damage in agriculture, fish population, water, forest, soil, health, education and daily life.