Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)

Wikiposts
Search
Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12th Jan 2008, 13:25
  #2101 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downeast
Age: 75
Posts: 18,289
Received 511 Likes on 213 Posts
Absolutely correct.....take the easiest target that gives the biggest bang!

The other side of the equation is to take the easiest target over the harder target as most insurgents prefer to run away and fight another day unlike their radical Islamist brothers.

A .50 caliber rifle alone is a most effective means of dispatching soft targets....it can be done from ranges up to 2400 meters (if a true professional is pulling the trigger as did the Canadians in Afghanistand) and up to 1500 meters by ordinary marksmen.

Add in the mobility of the lone rifle....a fast canoe...and the vast network of canoe kindly waterways and there you are!

I figgered the Oso would have been into orbit by now without the MEND bunch being involved!
SASless is offline  
Old 12th Jan 2008, 23:54
  #2102 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Seems they found a decent target...

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Nigerian insurgent group, did not take long to act on its promise to create an “economic tsunami in the world oil markets”. On January 11 MEND claimed responsibility for a bombing attack on the oil tanker Golden Lucy while it was waiting to offload fuel in Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s main transit point for petroleum exports. The explosion caused a fire that caused no fatalities but injured several.
Chopter is offline  
Old 13th Jan 2008, 15:28
  #2103 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: wherever
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MEND, maybe. Or is the story below closer to the facts?.....not that media always have it right, especially when reporting out of Nigeria.


LAGOS, Nigeria (CNN) -- More than 30 people were killed after a car crashed into a fuel tanker, which exploded and burst into flames early Saturday in the oil-rich town of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, police said.
The driver was being chased by police and lost control of his vehicle, a police spokesman told CNN. He said terrorism was not suspected. Firefighters battled the fire for hours to bring it under control.
Most of the victims were believed to be street vendors and workers at the site of the tanker. There were no reports about injuries, but police said about 15 vehicles were destroyed.
Port Harcourt is the hub of Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar oil industry and a frequent target of militants demanding a share of the country's oil wealth.
Last year, more than 200 foreign workers were taken hostage by militants in the country, the world's eighth-largest crude exporter
smickey is offline  
Old 14th Jan 2008, 04:03
  #2104 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Den Haag
Age: 57
Posts: 6,251
Received 332 Likes on 185 Posts
Smickey,
one was in Lagos and was a truck, the other was in Port Harcourt and was a ship, so I suspect not the same event
212man is offline  
Old 14th Jan 2008, 10:52
  #2105 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AFRICA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The ship was in Port Harcourt and the truck was in Port Harcourt also

It seems that the truck is not linked to militants, just another stupid accident
froggy_pilot is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 14:36
  #2106 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

froggy is correct. The ship was close to Onne Port just south of Port Harcourt. MEND claimed responsibility, saying that they had used an explosive device. This was later denied by Mr Sotoyi Etomi, GM of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). In retaliation for this and to supposedly prove that they had actually carried out the tanker explosion, MEND attacked the GMs armed convoy on Monday and the driver of the pilot vehicle was killed.

The petrol tanker explosion at Eleme junction, Port Harcourt just after midnight last Saturday. It resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people and 14 cars were destroyed and a number of small shops razed to the ground. There were reports that the vehicle crashed because it was being chased by the police, but the police deny this.

Meanwhile, there's still complete silence about the Agbami contract, despite both Bristow and CHC being convinced they have it - or are they now?

I hear rumors that SPDC may be pulling out of Nigeria or considerably downsizing their onshore operations as a result of the civil disruption in the swamp areas having made it impossibly to operate profitably there. Has anyone else out here heard about this? If true it will obviously have quite an impact on the Bristow operations for Shell. Even though SPDC own the EC155s Bristow have quite a few people working for them.

However, anyone thinking of leaving Bristow for CHC would be well advised to consider that whilst all our nice flashy new helicopters and equipment in CHC looks good, there's a price to be paid for that in terms of profitability and investors will only take so much in the way of falling earnings. At the moment Bristow has a book value of $30.30 compared with CHCs 7.72, an earnings per share of 3.12 compared with 1.33 and a P/E ratio of 33.43 compared with 17.90. CHC gas had pretty tepid quarterly results for a while now and there are quite a few analysts predicting that if this continues it will soon be split up and parts sold off. But analysts frequently get things completely wrong don't they?
MamaPut is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 15:03
  #2107 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lagos
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here's what one stock blog has to say about CHC, but it's not as bad as Mama implies as total revenue has significantly increased during Q1 2008 as has revenue per share:

The problem with CHC Helicopter is that it is growing revenue at the expense of profit. The company is expanding its fleet of helicopters and trading in older models for newer. While necessary, such expansion also means that the company's debt load has increased, as have its leasing expenses and its interest expenses. Taken together, these additional expenses caused operating income to decrease by 16%. The company refinanced to give itself $100 million additional borrowing capacity in multiple currencies. With 70 copters on order over the next 5 years, it may need every penny of that capacity to fund its growth.

CHC Helicopter already operates a higher-risk business in risky areas. Investors will need strong nerves to hold on to this stock as it grows itself through debt financing and refinancing.
Bristow recently posted a 78% jump in quarterly profits with a 22% increase in revenue.

But at the end of the day, most of we chickens are interested in our own bottom line. If one company disappears whoever replaces it will still need experienced pilots familiar with that operation. At the moment there's no doubt that CHC pays its pilots better and offers a better deal with more extras. The next couple of months will surely show whether there will be any further movement of pilots between the companies one way or another. CHC has its EC225s due in quite a few months before the Bristow S92s and at least they have contracts for them with TFE and those out of Lagos which doesn't have as bad security problems as Port Harcourt, Escravos or Eket.
Tokunbo is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 15:39
  #2108 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Opposite the antipodies
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A sensible decision ?

I have sat quietly and observed the history as pilots see it, in Nigeria for about a year or so.
For many reasons I am considering a move to Lagos (Snake Island) for the last 4-5 years of my career.
I have a varied background, and I am very experienced on more than 10 types, in varying environments.
I have more than 17 years Military experience some of which was not pleasant.
I also have more than 20 years civilian experience, which consists of Police, Executive and mostly North Sea flying.
I am not easily frightened by individuals, but the information available on the news and the internet makes Nigeria sound like a very frightening prospect indeed.
Most of the aggression seems to be taking place in the Delta regions, and might allow the "whiteys from blighty" (such as me) to assume that a posting to Snake would be a very safe option.
If there is anyone out there that could give me solid advice then I would be very grateful indeed,
As luck would have it I do know one of the Chief Pilots of the Operation in Snake, and he is hard nosed (and always has been ) but a better manager / friend you will never meet.
Deckcrusher
Deckcrusher is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 16:39
  #2109 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lagos
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

Crusher,

You've no reason to fear coming to Nigeria as despite everything there's still a lot of enjoyment to be had and it's always warm. Most of the people here are also warm and friendly. Many of them are also poor and disadvantaged so their manner and the questions they ask seem rude or even threatening to some foreigners. The Nigerian character is volatile and mercurial, so they know how to shout very loudly, but they also know just as quickly how to laugh very mightily.
I suppose if you're coming from the North Sea you'll be for the S92 in which case you may not necessarily be for Snake Island later on. You're absolutely right about the Chief Pilot at Snake - why not ask him what he thinks? Snake is not entirely the very safe posting you may think as there was rioting there not too long ago and so there's not the freedom there used to be to travel outside the camp. However, the camp itself is very pleasant with good facilities.
If you already work for Bristow you already know what the company is like and with a background such as you describe you shouldn't have any problem fitting in over here and having a good time. Come on in - the water's lovely
Tokunbo is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 17:40
  #2110 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Germany
Age: 76
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It sounds as if Shell has been forced to shut down most of their operations in the Delta, declaring "Force Majeure." Or however you spell that! That must mean a big hit for their revenues with major repercussions for the contractors. I suppose there should be a trickle-down effect on everyone from this.

So what happens now? Is that it for operations on-shore, with just the stuff off-shore still running? Too, how far off-shore is "off-shore," since the fields just off Escravos are only a short boat ride away for the Bad Guys?

I can think of a few Viet Nam-style scenarios here, with helibases surrounded by Injun Territory and the Bad Guys getting increasingly powerful weapons. No sense getting too specific about that, is there?

Well, good luck to all of you and do keep your heads down! I'm out in the middle of the Sahara now and it's real quiet compared to Lagos.

"How quiet?" you ask. Too quiet!
chuks is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 18:13
  #2111 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: here and there
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oil production in the Niger Delta was never shut down. In fact, it seems to have gotten more intense throughout the last 18 month. Only difference being that Shell has handed production over to subcontractors. The negative side effect for our own industry is, that nowadays most of those guys go by boat.
archos is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 19:50
  #2112 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This Day, Lagos, 8 January:

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer, Jeroen vander Veer has warned that production would fall rapidly if investment in the Nigerian oil fields were discontinued due to the escalating Niger Delta crisis.

He however stated that the company would continue toinvest in Nigeria notwithstanding the current tense dsituation in the oil-rich region provided its employees can work there safely.


"Nigeria is very rich in oil and gas, onshore and offshore, If you look at the long term, i.e. overdecades, these reserves will indeed be produced. Wecan and want to participate in this, but only if our people can work safely there", he said.

In an interview published in Shell's Dutch in-house magazine, the Shell boss who also spoke on the currentrising crude oil prices, saying the developments areslowing down new projects because governments are taking longer to negotiate their slice of revenues.

"It is evident that active government interest is delaying projects. Government negotiations for theirshare of the revenues are lengthier than in the past.

"Van der Veer said even as he refuted the idea that higher oil prices would actually accelerate decision-making, saying "in reality the opposite is true".

The Shell Chief who also cautioned that this would ultimately impact on the speed at which the company's new projects can be taken into production did nothowever specify which Shell projects might be affected.
Civil conflict breaks out in northern Nigeria—an area rife with Islamic militancy and religious violence—and the Nigerian Army is forced to intervene. The situation deteriorates, and international oil companies decide to end operations in the oil-rich Niger River delta, resulting in a loss of 800,000 barrels a day on the world market.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has linked the Niger Delta crisis to rising crude oil prices, despite denials by Nigerian officials.

The latest rise in price had coincided with renewed violence in the Niger Delta on New Year's Day in which 16 people were killed following attacks in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


OPEC has also warned that the high price of oil would continue until the end of March 2008.

OPEC President and Algerian Energy and Mines Minister, Chakib Khelil, said at the weekend that the steady rise in prices was due to "escalating violence in Nigeria".
A friend in Warri says that Bristow are on notice to reduce the number of helicopters it operates for Shell in the delta.

LONDON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has declared a force majeure on crude shipments from its Forcados export terminal in Nigeria after last week's pipeline attack, a spokesman said on Monday. Exports have been halted since Friday due to sabotage at two of its pipelines connected to the Forcados export terminal. Production has not been affected, the spokesman said.

Oil output at Forcados was around 100,000 barrels per day, an industry source said last week, and was expected to reach 200,000 bpd by April.

A force majeure allows companies to suspend contractual obligations, such as deliveries of oil and gas, following unforeseen events without incurring penalties.
Jan 4 (Reuters) - Oil companies have detailed about 547,000
barrels per day of shut-in Nigerian production due to militant
attacks and sabotage.
The amount represents about a fifth of the West African
country's installed output capacity of around 3 million bpd.
The International Energy Agency estimates Nigeria's
sustainable production capacity at 2.47 million bpd.
The following is a breakdown of production cuts in barrels
per day confirmed by oil companies.
Field Operator Output Outage Date Shut In
Forcados/EA Shell (RDSa.L: Quote, Profile, Research) 477,000 Feb 2006
Escravos Chevron(CVX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 70,000 since 2003
Total: 547,000 bpd
MamaPut is offline  
Old 16th Jan 2008, 23:03
  #2113 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AFRICA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was thinking about the present situation in the Delta ...

Who takes advantage of the situation ? what militants are gaining ? just peanuts !!! small money to buy weapons and booze...

At the end who is making more money? Oil companies...............
froggy_pilot is offline  
Old 17th Jan 2008, 08:29
  #2114 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ouahouigouya
Age: 82
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Surely reason oil companies are cutting back in this area is constant sabotage is making it uneconomical to continue in the Delta. Remember in Nigeria the corrupt NNPC still have 60% stake in all oil companies
alghaita ganga is offline  
Old 17th Jan 2008, 09:21
  #2115 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AFRICA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Surely reason oil companies are cutting back in this area is constant sabotage is making it uneconomical to continue in the Delta"

That's why Oil companies are still investing heavily in the region
froggy_pilot is offline  
Old 19th Jan 2008, 18:59
  #2116 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lost and Legless somewhere in LaLaLand
Age: 77
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angel All Problems Over in the Niger Delta

Well, finally the solution to all the problems in the Niger Delta is in view. MEND has congratulated actor George Clooney on his appointment by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and invited him to Nigeria. The following is the text of the invitation by MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo:

Subject: Open Letter to Actor George Clooney - UN Messenger of Peace

January 19, 2008.

Dear Mr Clooney,

Allow me begin by congratulating you on being chosen as the UN’s Messenger of Peace based on your selfless and tireless efforts in focusing world attention to crucial international, political and social issues such as the Darfur region of Sudan.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is a well armed insurgent group established to right the injustice and neglect inflicted on the people of the Niger Delta region from over five decades of oil exploration and exploitation.

MEND wishes to draw your attention to the unrest in this oil rich region of Nigeria which is gradually building up to a crisis that will make Darfur an adjective for child’s play.

We suggest that the UN should take a proactive step to nip the Niger Delta unrest in the bud before it is too late. Your role as a Messenger of Peace makes it imperative to consider the Niger Delta as a potential time bomb waiting to explode for which urgent steps must be taken.

Both sides of the conflict are building up arms for an imminent battle which can only be prevented with the intervention of well meaning and credible peace makers like you.

The way forward is the unconditional release of Henry Okah, a youth leader and peace activist who is currently being held on trumped up charges in Angola. His health has deteriorated from a chest infection and we demand a visit by the International Red Cross or a UN representative to ascertain his health status and enforce his fundamental human rights.

Mr Clooney, MEND extends an invitation to you to see things for yourself and is willing to work with you and other credible peace makers of international repute to stop Nigeria from plunging into the abyss of war.

May God guide and bless you,

Jomo Gbomo
I'm not quite sure how this fits in with their telling all expatriates to leave the Delta and shooting down civil helicopters. What if he arrives here in a civil helicopter?
Phone Wind is offline  
Old 20th Jan 2008, 14:18
  #2117 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Downeast
Age: 75
Posts: 18,289
Received 511 Likes on 213 Posts
If C-loon-y does arrive by civil helicopter....I hope it has a very large Bull's Eye on the fuselage.
SASless is offline  
Old 21st Jan 2008, 12:58
  #2118 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Opposite the antipodies
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Many thanks Tokumbo, just the sort of insight I was after. Apologies for the late reply...................Regards DC
Deckcrusher is offline  
Old 31st Jan 2008, 14:50
  #2119 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southwest EMS
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Man, this is a long thread!!

For you guys working in Nigeria for less than $60,000 USD, why are you doing this?? Guys in the GOM fly better equipment and are making more money, without the risks and living conditions that you guys are tolerating.

What am I missing here?
helicfii is offline  
Old 31st Jan 2008, 15:30
  #2120 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: here and there
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What am I missing here?

helicfii,
Obviously quite a lot. I suggest you read through a few more posts of the past to enlighten yourself, probably best to start with Mama's "What is new in West Africa" dated September 2003.
archos is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.