Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS943
2006-07-06 18:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
SHELL DUTCH CONTRACTOR SEIZED IN BAYELSA STATE;
how-toVZCZCXRO1010 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0943 1871807 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 061807Z JUL 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7523 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7501 RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000943
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SHELL DUTCH CONTRACTOR SEIZED IN BAYELSA STATE;
TRANSOCEAN SUCCESSFULLY EVACUATES MOST RIG EMPLOYEES
REF: LAGOS 936
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAGOS 000943
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SHELL DUTCH CONTRACTOR SEIZED IN BAYELSA STATE;
TRANSOCEAN SUCCESSFULLY EVACUATES MOST RIG EMPLOYEES
REF: LAGOS 936
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
1. (C) Security contacts at Shell confirmed armed local
residents today kidnapped a Dutch national from Shell's
Gbaran gas gathering plant, Bayelsa State, located near the
state capital Yenegoa. The hostage is an employee of Shell
contractor Westminster Dredging, a U.K.-based company. As
yet, we have no further information on the hostage's identity
or welfare. The Dutch Embassy is aware of the incident.
2. (C) British Deputy High Commissioner Waterworth told us
the incident appears to be a local issue, as villagers in the
area have recently complained about their relationship with
Nigerian construction firm Julius Berger, which apparently
also does work in the area for Shell. Reportedly, Berger
ignored the community's complaints, and the community
responded by taking the hostage, perhaps mistaking him for a
Berger employee.
3. (C) Regarding yesterday's incident with an offshore oil
rig near Bayelsa State (reftel),Transocean management told
us 79 personnel were evacuated by helicopter yesterday from
the Trident 8 rig. Nine workers, including eight Nigerian
and one Dutch employee, remain on the rig for essential
operations. Transocean stated their client, Conoil, has
entered negotiations with the Sangana community, which
carried out the July 3 operation; Sangana residents have
complained Conoil failed to properly implement their
Memorandum of Understanding. Transocean management stated
the situation at the rig today was calm.
4. (C) Transocean confirmed during the initial invasion,
community members briefly seized control of a 50-man Naval
vessel guarding the Trident 8 rig. Nigerian Navy sources
state the community is holding hostage one Nigerian civilian
Naval employee, and also captured four AK-47s during the
operation. Local press incorrectly reported four sailors
were kidnapped.
BROWNE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS GPERSON AND CGAY
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER NI
SUBJECT: SHELL DUTCH CONTRACTOR SEIZED IN BAYELSA STATE;
TRANSOCEAN SUCCESSFULLY EVACUATES MOST RIG EMPLOYEES
REF: LAGOS 936
Classified By: Consul General Brian L. Browne for Reasons 1.4 (D & E)
1. (C) Security contacts at Shell confirmed armed local
residents today kidnapped a Dutch national from Shell's
Gbaran gas gathering plant, Bayelsa State, located near the
state capital Yenegoa. The hostage is an employee of Shell
contractor Westminster Dredging, a U.K.-based company. As
yet, we have no further information on the hostage's identity
or welfare. The Dutch Embassy is aware of the incident.
2. (C) British Deputy High Commissioner Waterworth told us
the incident appears to be a local issue, as villagers in the
area have recently complained about their relationship with
Nigerian construction firm Julius Berger, which apparently
also does work in the area for Shell. Reportedly, Berger
ignored the community's complaints, and the community
responded by taking the hostage, perhaps mistaking him for a
Berger employee.
3. (C) Regarding yesterday's incident with an offshore oil
rig near Bayelsa State (reftel),Transocean management told
us 79 personnel were evacuated by helicopter yesterday from
the Trident 8 rig. Nine workers, including eight Nigerian
and one Dutch employee, remain on the rig for essential
operations. Transocean stated their client, Conoil, has
entered negotiations with the Sangana community, which
carried out the July 3 operation; Sangana residents have
complained Conoil failed to properly implement their
Memorandum of Understanding. Transocean management stated
the situation at the rig today was calm.
4. (C) Transocean confirmed during the initial invasion,
community members briefly seized control of a 50-man Naval
vessel guarding the Trident 8 rig. Nigerian Navy sources
state the community is holding hostage one Nigerian civilian
Naval employee, and also captured four AK-47s during the
operation. Local press incorrectly reported four sailors
were kidnapped.
BROWNE