What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Nigerian In Law
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Foggy,
You are right about it not being the same company but at the end of the day a job is a job mate. Get your sun tan cream ready
NEO
You are right about it not being the same company but at the end of the day a job is a job mate. Get your sun tan cream ready
NEO
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
I assume this is from the Sea Eagle; must have been quite a feat!
"Oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria
Much of Nigeria's oil comes from the Niger Delta
Four foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in southern Nigeria.
An armed group boarded a boat in the EA oil field and seized the men, said a spokesman for oil giant Royal Dutch Shell.
Shell has not said where the hostages come from but they reportedly include one Briton and one Honduran.
Such attacks are common in the Niger Delta region, where local groups complain they do not see the benefits of the area's oil wealth.
Ransom demands are often made in similar cases and the hostages are usually released unharmed.
Shell is in dispute with villages near the EA field, who accuse it of reneging on promises to undertake development projects, reports the AP news agency.
Other oil workers, both foreign and Nigerian, have been seized in the area, before being released.
Nigeria remains plagued by appalling poverty despite being the world's eighth largest oil producer and the largest in Africa."
(bbc.co.uk/news)
"Oil workers kidnapped in Nigeria
Much of Nigeria's oil comes from the Niger Delta
Four foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in southern Nigeria.
An armed group boarded a boat in the EA oil field and seized the men, said a spokesman for oil giant Royal Dutch Shell.
Shell has not said where the hostages come from but they reportedly include one Briton and one Honduran.
Such attacks are common in the Niger Delta region, where local groups complain they do not see the benefits of the area's oil wealth.
Ransom demands are often made in similar cases and the hostages are usually released unharmed.
Shell is in dispute with villages near the EA field, who accuse it of reneging on promises to undertake development projects, reports the AP news agency.
Other oil workers, both foreign and Nigerian, have been seized in the area, before being released.
Nigeria remains plagued by appalling poverty despite being the world's eighth largest oil producer and the largest in Africa."
(bbc.co.uk/news)
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
In case any of you are interested and haven't read it already, here is a link to a recent article relating to helicopter surveilance being introduced in Warri area.
Warri
Warri
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
212 man,
You're quite right they were taken from the Sea Eagle which was taken over by 40 locals in 3 canoes (this despite there being 14 Nigerian Navy personnel on board at the time
). There have also been a number of people killed in Warri in renewed unrest which is why the Nigerian Navy has sent a helicopter down there. Why don't the Nigerian air Force despatch a few of their gunships from Port Harcourt as well? 
You're quite right they were taken from the Sea Eagle which was taken over by 40 locals in 3 canoes (this despite there being 14 Nigerian Navy personnel on board at the time
). There have also been a number of people killed in Warri in renewed unrest which is why the Nigerian Navy has sent a helicopter down there. Why don't the Nigerian air Force despatch a few of their gunships from Port Harcourt as well?
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Well I see that Caverton is really coming along now. Doubtless their many Lagos - Victoria Island scheduled service shuttle passengers will be impressed by the awesome refuelling facility which can be seen on the edge of their ramp area. The long-awaited Port Harcourt to NAF shuttle must be on the brink of starting too as building work continues on their superb new hangar at NAF Base - well they occasionally cut the grass in the area where they say it's going to go, but the area under the expensive plasma screen TVs at Port Harcourt International doesn't always seemed to be manned by the charming young ladies who were letting all arriving passengers know of their many helicopter routes in Nigeria. We're all waiting with bated breath for the arrival of their AB139s - the first in Nigeria and the new Bell 412 EPs which should really have Bristow worried .
Oh sorry, I only just woke up and I get these flashbacks to a funny dream I had - must have been something in the Bloody Marys last night
Anybody really know what they're doing these days, except flying around the port in the Agusta 109 and doing some charters in their 'Yellow Peril'?
- well they occasionally cut the grass in the area where they say it's going to go, but the area under the expensive plasma screen TVs at Port Harcourt International doesn't always seemed to be manned by the charming young ladies who were letting all arriving passengers know of their many helicopter routes in Nigeria. We're all waiting with bated breath for the arrival of their AB139s - the first in Nigeria and the new Bell 412 EPs which should really have Bristow worried .Oh sorry, I only just woke up and I get these flashbacks to a funny dream I had - must have been something in the Bloody Marys last night
Anybody really know what they're doing these days, except flying around the port in the Agusta 109 and doing some charters in their 'Yellow Peril'?
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Helipolarbear, I think that's referring to the AS350 they have on lease from Heliportugal which is painted in the same color yellow as MTN, if you remember that. I think they have a Philipino pilot flying it and I believe their new operations manager, an American guy, Steve, flew it down from Lisbon a few months back, though you don't see or hear a lot of him.
Their helipad is in Five Cowrie Creek opposite the Nigerian Law School, but I don't think they have any kind of shuttle service there as yet. I can see the Law School and the residents in the expensive houses in Ikoyi and VI being very happy if they start flying in their regularly. I haven't heard Phone Wind's rumor about Bell 412s, but the Caverton guys are always full of what's coming next, so who knows?
Their helipad is in Five Cowrie Creek opposite the Nigerian Law School, but I don't think they have any kind of shuttle service there as yet. I can see the Law School and the residents in the expensive houses in Ikoyi and VI being very happy if they start flying in their regularly. I haven't heard Phone Wind's rumor about Bell 412s, but the Caverton guys are always full of what's coming next, so who knows?
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Air Log/OLOG just paid cash for four brand new Bell 412EP's.....for Trinidad.
How many 212's still flogging about in Nigeria?
Oh wait a minute....did not Eket go all 412's?
How many 212's still flogging about in Nigeria?
Oh wait a minute....did not Eket go all 412's?
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
212 man, the expat hostages from the Sea Eagle are now being held for political reasons. The kidnappers are demanding the release of 2 prisoners being held by the Federal Government, including the former governor of Bayelsa State.
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Not poor old Diprey; my bestest (I'm to big with my white suite and panama hat to fit in a 212 ) chum?
Hope it all works out well. As I said, quite an achievement for the Ijaws given the size of target.
Hope it all works out well. As I said, quite an achievement for the Ijaws given the size of target.
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Not poor old Diprey; my bestest (I'm too big with my white suite and panama hat to fit in a 212 ) chum?
Hope it all works out well. As I said, quite an achievement for the Ijaws given the size of target.
That'll be the too rather than to edit then, Hey the Tiger in Changi is alive and well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope it all works out well. As I said, quite an achievement for the Ijaws given the size of target.
That'll be the too rather than to edit then, Hey the Tiger in Changi is alive and well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Tokunbo. Do the Crooks of Caverton actually have a genuine AOC or is it the old brown envelope issue. Wonder how they manage to maintain their insurance....or is it like everything else based on threat and money!
I hear their hangar floor is still like the North Sea on a Gale Force 9 day!
The Makanjoula legend in their own mind live's on! The ebullient one has spoken!!!
Is the Yellow Peril actually doing any productive work, or is just part of the big money laundering scam???? Of course sanctioned by the Nigerian Government. Looking forward to the next Helitech .......might get to meet the Caverton Executives again.......should be real fun this time!!!!
I hear their hangar floor is still like the North Sea on a Gale Force 9 day!
The Makanjoula legend in their own mind live's on! The ebullient one has spoken!!!
Is the Yellow Peril actually doing any productive work, or is just part of the big money laundering scam???? Of course sanctioned by the Nigerian Government. Looking forward to the next Helitech .......might get to meet the Caverton Executives again.......should be real fun this time!!!!
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
We've had a few problems over delivery of the new Cadillacs maybe because we underestimated the difficulty of getting things in to this country and how long it all takes. But, using our usual awesome lateral thinking we bought a beautiful new crew bus which is really sleek and racy looking. Applying those same awesome lateral thinking techniques we didn't get seat belts fitted, but went for the high density seating model so that the occupants are tightly wedged in place and can't move anyway.
There have been some complaints about the luxury Tamarin Hotel in Lagos, probably because crews simply don't understand the awesome lateral thinking logic behind keeping it on. We appreciate that there isn't much in the way of personal entairtainment in the hotel, but this is more than compensated for by the fact that the normal wait of 1 to 2 hours for your meal order won't leave any time for personal entertainment anyway. When your meal finally arrives, the poor quality ensures that you won't eat too much, so you'll stay slim, fit and healthy. Finally, after a night in these luxurious quarters you'll think much better of your awesome room back in Port Harcourt when you return. Just think of the hardship visiting fixed wing crews have to endure when visiting your base in Port Harcourt. They have to put up with living in the former Operations Manager's house with a dedicated kitchen and staff and only have a loose fitting bus without seatbelts to take them there from the airport, thus risking the possibility of being seriously injured in a crash on the new super-fast expressway from the airport.
Lateral thinking, giving the people what we know they need, not what they think they need is the key to success in running a successful company and keeping our employees happy.
management
There have been some complaints about the luxury Tamarin Hotel in Lagos, probably because crews simply don't understand the awesome lateral thinking logic behind keeping it on. We appreciate that there isn't much in the way of personal entairtainment in the hotel, but this is more than compensated for by the fact that the normal wait of 1 to 2 hours for your meal order won't leave any time for personal entertainment anyway. When your meal finally arrives, the poor quality ensures that you won't eat too much, so you'll stay slim, fit and healthy. Finally, after a night in these luxurious quarters you'll think much better of your awesome room back in Port Harcourt when you return. Just think of the hardship visiting fixed wing crews have to endure when visiting your base in Port Harcourt. They have to put up with living in the former Operations Manager's house with a dedicated kitchen and staff and only have a loose fitting bus without seatbelts to take them there from the airport, thus risking the possibility of being seriously injured in a crash on the new super-fast expressway from the airport.
Lateral thinking, giving the people what we know they need, not what they think they need is the key to success in running a successful company and keeping our employees happy.
management
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Looks like the Delta is heating up again....
Following the attacks on the EA field and the Trans Ramos Pipeline, another incident occurred yesterday morning at the Benisede flowstation where it was attacked by armed persons in the early hours of January 15 2006. The attackers attacked the flowstation in speed boats, burned down two houseboats, damaged part of the processing facilities and left.
Meanwhile, the EA field hostage situation remains unresolved, although press reports indicate that contact has been made with the hostages.
Just heard that Escravos and EA are downmanning!!!
Will the last person to leave please turn off the lights.
I imagine all our usual reporters are busy flying evac missions... stay safe and good luck.
Ikoyian
Following the attacks on the EA field and the Trans Ramos Pipeline, another incident occurred yesterday morning at the Benisede flowstation where it was attacked by armed persons in the early hours of January 15 2006. The attackers attacked the flowstation in speed boats, burned down two houseboats, damaged part of the processing facilities and left.
Meanwhile, the EA field hostage situation remains unresolved, although press reports indicate that contact has been made with the hostages.
Just heard that Escravos and EA are downmanning!!!
Will the last person to leave please turn off the lights.
I imagine all our usual reporters are busy flying evac missions... stay safe and good luck.
Ikoyian
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re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Ikoyian,
That's what I'm hearing from friends out there too. Apparently yesterday both Bristow and Aero were invloved in the start of the evacuation of the area. According to the news a number of Shell employees are in hospital after the attack on Benisede and an undisclosed number of attackers and army were killed. As you say, a big 'fly safe and good luck' to the many pilots flying in that area Putting down in the bush with an emergency could lead to an even bigger one in the present situation. Is there increased security for expats living in Port Harcourt and Warri? Knowing Bristow and OLOG, probably not
HPB. There are still many rumours and questions as to how Caverton got their AOC, but I guess that at the end of the day only they and the NCAA know the truth. There are also many stories as to how much they've already spent on setting up their operation - I hear between $15 - 20 million. I can't see how they're making much of a dent into repayments on that sort of sum with their present amount of flying, especially as their Dauphin and Squirrell are both leased from Heliportigal (wonder if they get paid on time?). Last I heard their hangar floor still looks like the North Sea in a gale and their expensive fuel installation was still not working. They also don't seem to have started any scheduled shuttle flights in either Port Harcourt or Lagos yet - maybe because their very unfvourable rostering system of 3 months on, 1 month off isn't attracting too many pilotsl, when Bristow and aero are offering 7/5 or 6/6.
Bristow and Aero both still seem to be short of pilots and I hear that at least 4 more expat pilots are leaving Aero in the next 2 months, so it doesn't look as if the CHC take-over is having much effect on crew numbers as yet. Bristow are still flying around lots of elderly Bell 212s and I hear that spares shortages are now fairly chronic.
That's what I'm hearing from friends out there too. Apparently yesterday both Bristow and Aero were invloved in the start of the evacuation of the area. According to the news a number of Shell employees are in hospital after the attack on Benisede and an undisclosed number of attackers and army were killed. As you say, a big 'fly safe and good luck' to the many pilots flying in that area
Putting down in the bush with an emergency could lead to an even bigger one in the present situation. Is there increased security for expats living in Port Harcourt and Warri? Knowing Bristow and OLOG, probably not HPB. There are still many rumours and questions as to how Caverton got their AOC, but I guess that at the end of the day only they and the NCAA know the truth. There are also many stories as to how much they've already spent on setting up their operation - I hear between $15 - 20 million. I can't see how they're making much of a dent into repayments on that sort of sum with their present amount of flying, especially as their Dauphin and Squirrell are both leased from Heliportigal (wonder if they get paid on time?). Last I heard their hangar floor still looks like the North Sea in a gale and their expensive fuel installation was still not working. They also don't seem to have started any scheduled shuttle flights in either Port Harcourt or Lagos yet - maybe because their very unfvourable rostering system of 3 months on, 1 month off isn't attracting too many pilotsl, when Bristow and aero are offering 7/5 or 6/6.
Bristow and Aero both still seem to be short of pilots and I hear that at least 4 more expat pilots are leaving Aero in the next 2 months, so it doesn't look as if the CHC take-over is having much effect on crew numbers as yet. Bristow are still flying around lots of elderly Bell 212s and I hear that spares shortages are now fairly chronic.
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
From what I remember of the Shell Houseboats...it might have been an "inside" job. They were downright evil looking...I think BHL at one time considered using one at Warri if that gives you an idea.
re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Latest from the BBC:
Nigeria hostages 'in good health'
Local residents remain poor despite the oil wealth under the ground
The four foreign oil workers kidnapped by Nigerian militants have told Reuters news agency they are in good health.
The four - from the UK, US, Bulgaria and Honduras - were taken hostage by armed men on speedboats a week ago while in the Niger Delta region.
There was a further gunboat attack on a pumping station over the weekend, prompting oil giant Royal Dutch Shell to withdraw some 330 workers.
The instability has led to a 10% fall in Nigeria's oil production.
"I'd like y'all to contact my family and let them know that I'm alright, these people are treating me good, but the climate is not what it should be," a man identifying himself as US citizen Patrick Landry told Reuters by telephone.
A man who said he was Briton Nigel Watson-Clark said that the Nigerian military should not try to use force to rescue them.
He also read out five demands, which the kidnappers said should be met within 48 hours:
Local control of the region's oil wealth
The payment of $1.5bn by Shell to Bayelsa State to compensate for pollution
The release of separatist leader Mujahid Dokubu Asari, being held on treason charges
The release of former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyaseigha, accused of corruption and money-laundering
The release of another ethnic Ijaw militant.
Soldiers killed
Brigadier-General Elias Zamani, who heads a military task force in the area told Reuters he had not yet located the hostages.
He also said that four soldiers and eight assailants had died on Sunday, as gunmen overran the Benisede pumping station near the port of Warri.
"The safety and security of our staff, contractors and the communities within which we operate is our main priority," Shell said.
One catering contractor died in the attack and ten Shell workers are being treated in a company hospital in Warri.
The evacuations from Benisede and three other pumping stations will not affect production, as it had been halted after a pipeline attack last Wednesday.
Shell has 1,000 oil wells and around 80 pumping stations in the Delta region.
But the firm said it had no current plans to pull any more of its workers out of the Delta.
Correspondents say the recent attacks will increase pressure on Nigeria's government to crack down on ethnic Ijaw militants who want more control over the region's oil revenues.
The kidnappings and explosion, the latest in a string of violent incidents in the troubled region, have slashed Shell's production there by some 220,000 barrels a day - almost 10% of Nigeria's average output of 2.6 million barrels.
Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter and the fifth-biggest source of US oil imports.
Nigeria hostages 'in good health'
Local residents remain poor despite the oil wealth under the ground
The four foreign oil workers kidnapped by Nigerian militants have told Reuters news agency they are in good health.
The four - from the UK, US, Bulgaria and Honduras - were taken hostage by armed men on speedboats a week ago while in the Niger Delta region.
There was a further gunboat attack on a pumping station over the weekend, prompting oil giant Royal Dutch Shell to withdraw some 330 workers.
The instability has led to a 10% fall in Nigeria's oil production.
"I'd like y'all to contact my family and let them know that I'm alright, these people are treating me good, but the climate is not what it should be," a man identifying himself as US citizen Patrick Landry told Reuters by telephone.
A man who said he was Briton Nigel Watson-Clark said that the Nigerian military should not try to use force to rescue them.
He also read out five demands, which the kidnappers said should be met within 48 hours:
Local control of the region's oil wealth
The payment of $1.5bn by Shell to Bayelsa State to compensate for pollution
The release of separatist leader Mujahid Dokubu Asari, being held on treason charges
The release of former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyaseigha, accused of corruption and money-laundering
The release of another ethnic Ijaw militant.
Soldiers killed
Brigadier-General Elias Zamani, who heads a military task force in the area told Reuters he had not yet located the hostages.
He also said that four soldiers and eight assailants had died on Sunday, as gunmen overran the Benisede pumping station near the port of Warri.
"The safety and security of our staff, contractors and the communities within which we operate is our main priority," Shell said.
One catering contractor died in the attack and ten Shell workers are being treated in a company hospital in Warri.
The evacuations from Benisede and three other pumping stations will not affect production, as it had been halted after a pipeline attack last Wednesday.
Shell has 1,000 oil wells and around 80 pumping stations in the Delta region.
But the firm said it had no current plans to pull any more of its workers out of the Delta.
Correspondents say the recent attacks will increase pressure on Nigeria's government to crack down on ethnic Ijaw militants who want more control over the region's oil revenues.
The kidnappings and explosion, the latest in a string of violent incidents in the troubled region, have slashed Shell's production there by some 220,000 barrels a day - almost 10% of Nigeria's average output of 2.6 million barrels.
Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter and the fifth-biggest source of US oil imports.
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On a lighter note......
I was in the Company bus travelling through the usual 'go slow' on Broadway Ikoyi when I noticed a chap (street trader) wearing an orange tube......
Two minutes later crossing the bridge, I always look across to see if the VI helipad (Caverton) is ever occupied, no nothing burning and turning there as usual but did'nt see the sock...
Took a couple more miles before I put the two together...
I was in the Company bus travelling through the usual 'go slow' on Broadway Ikoyi when I noticed a chap (street trader) wearing an orange tube......
Two minutes later crossing the bridge, I always look across to see if the VI helipad (Caverton) is ever occupied, no nothing burning and turning there as usual but did'nt see the sock...
Took a couple more miles before I put the two together...