Perenco accused of polluting Kongo‑Central province in DR Congo

Perenco Kongo‑Central Human Rights Watch gas flaring respiratory illness

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Perenco, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sole oil producer, is exposing communities in Kongo‑Central province to serious health hazards. The firm operates on‑shore and offshore facilities around the coastal town of Muanda, pumping roughly 19,500 barrels of oil per day.

HRW’s investigation, based on interviews with 45 residents, oil workers, health professionals and officials in January 2026 and analysis of satellite imagery and videos, documented gas flaring at five sites between January 2025 and March 2026, one of which was less than 80 metres from homes. Residents near these sites reported respiratory illnesses, chest pain, headaches and nausea. The group also said Perenco failed to prevent oil spills from wells and pipelines, leading to soil and river contamination.

The Congolese Senate’s 2013 probe had already found lead and mercury levels above WHO drinking‑water limits in the area, and a 2025 university study identified hydrocarbons in nearby soil. In December 2024 the government commissioned an environmental audit of Perenco’s operations, but the audit’s interim and final findings have not been released. Perenco denied the accusations, claiming it invests in pollution‑prevention measures and maintains its infrastructure.

Entities: Agathe Bounfour · Democratic Republic of Congo · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Human Rights Watch · Kongo-Central Province · Kongo‑Central province · Muanda · Perenco

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Perenco has not prevented oil spills from wells and pipelines leaking into soil and riverbeds. (HRW report)
[● 2 SOURCES] Perenco operates onshore and offshore facilities near Muanda, pumping about 19,500 barrels of oil per day along a 37‑km Atlantic coastline. (HRW report)
[● 3 SOURCES] Residents near flaring sites reported respiratory illnesses, chest pain, headaches and nausea. (Human Rights Watch)
[● 2 SOURCES] A 2013 Senate investigation found lead and mercury levels above WHO drinking‑water guidelines in the area. (Congo Senate)
[● 3 SOURCES] Perenco is the Democratic Republic of Congo's sole oil producer. (Human Rights Watch)
[● 2 SOURCES] A 2025 study by Congolese and Cameroonian universities detected hydrocarbons and other pollutants in soil near Muanda, posing health risks. (HRW report)
[● 3 SOURCES] HRW interviewed 45 residents, oil workers, health professionals, officials and experts in January 2026. (HRW report)
[● 3 SOURCES] HRW found gas flaring at five sites between January 2025 and March 2026, including one less than 80 metres from homes. (HRW report)
[● 2 SOURCES] HRW documented gas flaring at five sites between January 2025 and March 2026, including one less than 80 metres from homes. (Human Rights Watch)
[● 2 SOURCES] HRW says Perenco failed to prevent oil spills from wells and pipelines leaking into soil and riverbeds. (Human Rights Watch)
[● 2 SOURCES] Perenco operates onshore and offshore facilities around Muanda, pumping about 19,500 barrels of oil per day. (Human Rights Watch)
[● 6 SOURCES] The Congolese government commissioned an environmental audit of Perenco in December 2024, but no interim or final findings have been released. (Human Rights Watch)