The onshore section crosses a region inhabited by the Karen, a minority ethnic group hostile to the government.

As of January 2022, TotalEnergies has announced that they will withdraw from the Yadana project as the operator and joint venture partner,[8] and PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) will take over.

Under the Production Operating Agreement (POA), TotalEnergies’ share will be allocated proportionately to the remaining joint venture partners with no commercial value.

[9] The Yadana project has been subject to much criticism in the international community, particularly because companies of democratic nations invested in a regime that has been noted for its human rights violations.

[10] The State Law and Order Restoration Council came under intense scrutiny for their human rights abuses during the construction of the pipeline and their involvement in the project led to a lawsuit being filed against Unocal.

[11] Evidence collected by EarthRights International suggests that villagers are routinely forced to work in various guises.

Troops routinely force civilians to work for them and those who refuse are often beaten, tortured or sometimes killed.