8 Foreign Workers Abducted From an Oil Rig Off Nigeria

[Robbien]

Armed rebels raided an oil drilling rig 40 miles off the Nigerian coast early yesterday and kidnapped eight foreign oil workers in the latest of a string of violent incidents meant to disrupt oil production in the country's oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The abducted workers — one American, six Britons and a Canadian — were part of a crew of 84 aboard the rig, the Bulford Dolphin, according to Fred Olsen Energy, the Norwegian company that operates the rig. Twenty to 30 attackers aboard four speedboats fired shots and stormed the platform, according to Reuters, which cited unidentified security officials. No one was injured.

"There has been contact from the group that is holding the eight personnel," said Sheena Wallace, a spokeswoman in Aberdeen, Scotland, for Dolphin Drilling, a unit of Fred Olsen Energy. She said the attackers had sought negotiations but had given no indication of who they were or what they were seeking.

. . .

In recent months, militant groups have been demanding that the coastal region receive a greater share of national oil revenue, and they have been pressing the government by attacking oil pipelines and export terminals. Because of these incidents, Nigeria's oil production has fallen 20 percent, or more than 550,000 barrels a day, since the start of the year.

The latest abductions are the fourth this year of foreign oil workers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/03/business/worldbusiness/03oil.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Abducted oilmen freed in Nigeria

All eight foreign workers abducted from an oil rig in Nigeria have been freed, UK officials have confirmed.

Two British workers were released early on Sunday, followed hours later by the remaining six hostages - four more Britons, a Canadian and an American.
...
President Olusegun Obasanjo had joined in the mediation efforts to free the eight men.

National police spokesman Haz Iwendi said the men were freed as a result of negotiations brokered by authorities in Bayelsa state.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/5045520.stm

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. That was fast.

LOL

[goforit]

3. Those poor widdle oilmen. Just trying to do their job.

[Robbien]

4. Not so innocent

Nigerian officials are reporting that militants were not involved in this. This was all about a dispute between the oil company and the citizens living near the drilling site. To get rights to drill, the oil company promised to employ locals. They did not. The oil company ignored all attempts by the locals to discuss the issue.

Appears the locals found a way to get the oil company's attention.