What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
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Rumour is that all national staff who participated in the illegal strike have been dismissed. Evergreen are poised to take over contracts with Agip and Total and Aero preparing to take at least 4 helicopters off contract and return them to CHC.
Big bank owned by powerful family versus Aero employees who participated in an illegal strike - who would you put your money on?
Big bank owned by powerful family versus Aero employees who participated in an illegal strike - who would you put your money on?
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I have been hearing that there is great uncertainty in Vancouver about what is going to happen. None of it has been particularly good to date, and none of it looks to be much better for the future.
The new owners do not appear to be very happy about the entire Nigerian situation that they have found on their hands. They are not in a position to negotiate but they are certainly in a position to lose everything that was ever put into that "god-forsaken country" !
So the new owners have found themselves with a mountain of debt and unpaid bills in Nigeria. They have come to the realization that many of the parts of the organization they bought, have no value - reference the past lay-offs at Heli-One and the second round that is rumoured about to hit any day now. They have already been removing senior Heli-One management in YVR, not to mention shutting it down everywhere else! There is apparently grave concern over the internal operational cost structure as a result of move to YVR in the first place. Lots of old helicopters and surplus parts for sale that no-one wants to buy in this market - and the value on the street for these items is quite a bit different today than the book value at the time of purchase!
So what next? There seem to be more nervous employees than confident ones and everyone seems to have come to the conclusion that the end of the gravy train is here, so get ready to face the outside world. There is much talk about the poor pay-offs some long time employees received and this is causing even greater concern - the pay-out was always considered a lottery bonus, not anymore it seems! The general consensus around the company appears to be that it is about to get a whole lot worse.
The new owners do not appear to be very happy about the entire Nigerian situation that they have found on their hands. They are not in a position to negotiate but they are certainly in a position to lose everything that was ever put into that "god-forsaken country" !
So the new owners have found themselves with a mountain of debt and unpaid bills in Nigeria. They have come to the realization that many of the parts of the organization they bought, have no value - reference the past lay-offs at Heli-One and the second round that is rumoured about to hit any day now. They have already been removing senior Heli-One management in YVR, not to mention shutting it down everywhere else! There is apparently grave concern over the internal operational cost structure as a result of move to YVR in the first place. Lots of old helicopters and surplus parts for sale that no-one wants to buy in this market - and the value on the street for these items is quite a bit different today than the book value at the time of purchase!
So what next? There seem to be more nervous employees than confident ones and everyone seems to have come to the conclusion that the end of the gravy train is here, so get ready to face the outside world. There is much talk about the poor pay-offs some long time employees received and this is causing even greater concern - the pay-out was always considered a lottery bonus, not anymore it seems! The general consensus around the company appears to be that it is about to get a whole lot worse.
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It looks as if the future of 2 once-great companies are now in the balance 
. Maybe CHC is like the Roman empire whose decline has been attributed to a combination of such factors as decadence, monetary trouble, Imperial incompetence and chance, amongst others. Edward Gibbon's fixed 476 for the Fall of Rome that's when the Germanic Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor to rule the western part of the Roman Empire. Maybe history will fix 2005 for the decline of CHC because that's when it purchased Schreiner Airways and with it, a 40% shareholding in Aero. CHC seems to have been mismanaged for a while and the new owners must be pondering exactly what they really bought. Aero had a good symbiosis with Schreiner, but the purchasing of Schreiner by CHC seems to have changed the nature of that relationship. The meaning of the term symbiosis is also in flux now, and where it once meant a relationship from which both parties benefit, such as the old Aero/Schreiner relationship, which may have been a commensalist relationship, the one between Aero/CHC appears to be more parasitic - but which one is the parasite and which the host? Sadly, it seems the relationship may end up with both parties harmed 
. Maybe CHC is like the Roman empire whose decline has been attributed to a combination of such factors as decadence, monetary trouble, Imperial incompetence and chance, amongst others. Edward Gibbon's fixed 476 for the Fall of Rome that's when the Germanic Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor to rule the western part of the Roman Empire. Maybe history will fix 2005 for the decline of CHC because that's when it purchased Schreiner Airways and with it, a 40% shareholding in Aero. CHC seems to have been mismanaged for a while and the new owners must be pondering exactly what they really bought. Aero had a good symbiosis with Schreiner, but the purchasing of Schreiner by CHC seems to have changed the nature of that relationship. The meaning of the term symbiosis is also in flux now, and where it once meant a relationship from which both parties benefit, such as the old Aero/Schreiner relationship, which may have been a commensalist relationship, the one between Aero/CHC appears to be more parasitic - but which one is the parasite and which the host? Sadly, it seems the relationship may end up with both parties harmed
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Evergreen Virgin Nigeria (EVN)
18Left,
I have heard some rumblings regarding Evergreen and some un-named party to joint venture into the Nigerian arena. What news have you heard, and how credible is it, regarding Virgin as the partner?
Could be some interesting times ahead.
I have heard some rumblings regarding Evergreen and some un-named party to joint venture into the Nigerian arena. What news have you heard, and how credible is it, regarding Virgin as the partner?
Could be some interesting times ahead.
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It's now confirmed that Aero laid off 46 staff who were deemed by them to have participated in an illegal strike. I'm told that 18 pilots are amongst them. I suppose Bristow will have a large number of pilots applying now, but with their present hiring freeze they'd need another contract before they could take more than a couple. From Bristow's past history on the North Sea they don't like employing pilots who've participated in industrial action. Hard times ahead
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Some of the Aero national staff who were sacked have now been offered employment again but as contractors and subject to not being in a union. This story sure as anything hasn't played out yet and I expect a lot more troubles before anything is resolved - almost certainly to the detriment of both parties
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Niger Delta region a No-Fly Area?
There was a fairly major clash between members of the Nigerian Joint Task Force and militants from the MEND group in Delta state yesterday as a result of which MEND have advised all oil companies operating in the region to evacuate all their staff before the arrival of an "imminent hurricane". In another statement they stated, "oil companies operating in the region would be advised to remove all personnel to avoid the impact of an emerging civil war" 
.
In a rather more sinister statement, MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo stated:
"Effective 0000 Hrs on Saturday, May 16, 2009, the entire Niger Delta region will be declared a no-fly zone to helicopters and float planes operating on behalf of oil companies.”
This may be the usual hot air from these people, but I hope all those who are continuing to operate in the area will be especially vigilant over the next few days.
In related attacks, up to 20 expatriates have been taken hostage during the seizing of 2 vessels in the Warri area
. In a rather more sinister statement, MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo stated:
"Effective 0000 Hrs on Saturday, May 16, 2009, the entire Niger Delta region will be declared a no-fly zone to helicopters and float planes operating on behalf of oil companies.”
This may be the usual hot air from these people, but I hope all those who are continuing to operate in the area will be especially vigilant over the next few days.
In related attacks, up to 20 expatriates have been taken hostage during the seizing of 2 vessels in the Warri area
In related attacks, up to 20 expatriates have been taken hostage during the seizing of 2 vessels in the Warri area
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Hot Air
This may be the usual hot air from these people
up to 20 expatriates have been taken hostage during the seizing of 2 vessels in the Warri area
all those who are continuing to operate in the area will be especially vigilant over the next few days.
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Nigeria Update from Reuters
Nigeria militants hijack vessels, warn oil workers | Top News | Reuters
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian militants have hijacked two cargo ships in the Niger Delta and given oil companies until Saturday to evacuate staff, warning they would attack helicopters and planes after the deadline.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Wednesday for oil workers to leave the region after heavy clashes with the military, but said on Thursday some firms had asked they be given more time.
Security sources working in Africa's largest oil and gas industry said they were taking the militant threats seriously, but there were no plans to evacuate staff.
"They've said it all before. Nobody ever evacuates, but some companies will increase their alert level," a private security contractor said.
Global oil markets have largely ignored the news, with prices falling $1.25 on Thursday to $56.77 a barrel. The military has also shrugged off the militant threats, saying it would continue its operations in the Niger Delta as usual.
Military spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar said suspected militants hijacked the MV Spirit, a condensate tanker chartered by state oil firm NNPC, while it was sailing to Warri in Delta state on Wednesday, and kidnapped the captain and crew.
He said a second vessel was also seized in the same area.
MEND said one of its affiliate groups seized 15 foreigners from the MV Spirit, but there was no independent confirmation.
"Effective 0000 Hrs on Saturday, May 16, 2009, the entire Niger Delta region will be declared a no-fly zone to helicopters and float planes operating on behalf of oil companies," it said.
Gunmen shot at a helicopter flying between facilities operated by Italy's Agip in February, wounding one passenger, but the aircraft landed safely. MEND did not directly claim responsibility for that attack.
MILITANTS WEAKENED
The army and militants routinely give conflicting reports of clashes in the Niger Delta, one of the world's largest wetlands. Independent confirmation of skirmishes, often centred around militant camps deep in the creeks, is virtually impossible.
MEND said it had destroyed five military gunboats and support vessels in southern Delta state early on Thursday in what it called "Operation Pearl Harbour", a claim the military dismissed as propaganda.
MEND has issued such threats several times in the past, most recently in late January when it warned of a "sweeping assault" on the oil and gas industry which never materialised.
Attacks by the group have cut Nigeria's output by about a fifth since early 2006, forced foreign firms to remove all but essential staff and eaten into the OPEC member's foreign earnings, exacerbating the impact of the global downturn.
But security experts say MEND is smarting from a more muscular military stance in the Niger Delta, while oil bunkering -- the theft of industrial quantities of crude oil and a major income stream for militant groups and criminal gangs -- has become less profitable with lower global energy prices.
MEND launched a series of attacks, which it dubbed a six-day "oil war", in September and carried out a daring raid on Shell's
Bonga platform, 120 km (75 miles) offshore, last June, forcing the firm to temporarily stop the $3.6 billion site.
But it has failed to carry out any attacks as spectacular as those of early 2006 when it first burst onto the scene, knocking out almost a quarter of Nigerian output in a matter of weeks.
The detention of Henry Okah, accused of being MEND's main arms supplier and the brains behind its early campaigns, has also weakened the group. Okah's closed-door trial for treason and gun-running resumes in the central city of Jos on Friday.
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigerian militants have hijacked two cargo ships in the Niger Delta and given oil companies until Saturday to evacuate staff, warning they would attack helicopters and planes after the deadline.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Wednesday for oil workers to leave the region after heavy clashes with the military, but said on Thursday some firms had asked they be given more time.
Security sources working in Africa's largest oil and gas industry said they were taking the militant threats seriously, but there were no plans to evacuate staff.
"They've said it all before. Nobody ever evacuates, but some companies will increase their alert level," a private security contractor said.
Global oil markets have largely ignored the news, with prices falling $1.25 on Thursday to $56.77 a barrel. The military has also shrugged off the militant threats, saying it would continue its operations in the Niger Delta as usual.
Military spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar said suspected militants hijacked the MV Spirit, a condensate tanker chartered by state oil firm NNPC, while it was sailing to Warri in Delta state on Wednesday, and kidnapped the captain and crew.
He said a second vessel was also seized in the same area.
MEND said one of its affiliate groups seized 15 foreigners from the MV Spirit, but there was no independent confirmation.
"Effective 0000 Hrs on Saturday, May 16, 2009, the entire Niger Delta region will be declared a no-fly zone to helicopters and float planes operating on behalf of oil companies," it said.
Gunmen shot at a helicopter flying between facilities operated by Italy's Agip in February, wounding one passenger, but the aircraft landed safely. MEND did not directly claim responsibility for that attack.
MILITANTS WEAKENED
The army and militants routinely give conflicting reports of clashes in the Niger Delta, one of the world's largest wetlands. Independent confirmation of skirmishes, often centred around militant camps deep in the creeks, is virtually impossible.
MEND said it had destroyed five military gunboats and support vessels in southern Delta state early on Thursday in what it called "Operation Pearl Harbour", a claim the military dismissed as propaganda.
MEND has issued such threats several times in the past, most recently in late January when it warned of a "sweeping assault" on the oil and gas industry which never materialised.
Attacks by the group have cut Nigeria's output by about a fifth since early 2006, forced foreign firms to remove all but essential staff and eaten into the OPEC member's foreign earnings, exacerbating the impact of the global downturn.
But security experts say MEND is smarting from a more muscular military stance in the Niger Delta, while oil bunkering -- the theft of industrial quantities of crude oil and a major income stream for militant groups and criminal gangs -- has become less profitable with lower global energy prices.
MEND launched a series of attacks, which it dubbed a six-day "oil war", in September and carried out a daring raid on Shell's
Bonga platform, 120 km (75 miles) offshore, last June, forcing the firm to temporarily stop the $3.6 billion site.
But it has failed to carry out any attacks as spectacular as those of early 2006 when it first burst onto the scene, knocking out almost a quarter of Nigerian output in a matter of weeks.
The detention of Henry Okah, accused of being MEND's main arms supplier and the brains behind its early campaigns, has also weakened the group. Okah's closed-door trial for treason and gun-running resumes in the central city of Jos on Friday.
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412 shooting incident
If it was a Chevron 412 then most probably it was a ship from WT. Can anybody confirm this?
No rumours anymore; it was a WT ship with a nice hole in the tailboom. I would like to refrain from any comment now...
No rumours anymore; it was a WT ship with a nice hole in the tailboom. I would like to refrain from any comment now...
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Nigerian Air Force carrying out heavy aerial bombardment of alleged militant camps all day today. MEND has put out a statement:
It seems the Nigerian military is putting up its usual show of failing to achieve anything 
Rumor has it that Aero and Bristow have grounded all their helicopters in the Niger Delta.
Friends in WT say that a PanAf 412 was hit but, as reported, no casualties.
This is some serious $hit right now, but tis being Nigeria, everything will be back to normal tomorrow with policemen robbing motorists and the government robbing everyone
!
The Nigerian armed forces today launched indiscriminate aerial bombardment on the defenseless civilians in the Gbaramatu area of Delta state to serve as a punishment for the humiliating defeat they suffered when they tried to raid two militant camps on Wednesday, May 13.
Casualties are mostly women, children and the elderly who could not get away quickly into the bush or high sea.
Considering that the target of the government happens to be the same state supposed to champion its false peace and amnesty drive, our skepticism has proven to be correct.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is declaring an all out war in the region and call upon all men of fighting age to enlist for our freedom.
We reiterate once again our directive to ALL oil companies to evacuate by the deadline of midnight today and cease oil production until further notice. This will be the last time such a warning will be released.
Jomo Gbomo
Casualties are mostly women, children and the elderly who could not get away quickly into the bush or high sea.
Considering that the target of the government happens to be the same state supposed to champion its false peace and amnesty drive, our skepticism has proven to be correct.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is declaring an all out war in the region and call upon all men of fighting age to enlist for our freedom.
We reiterate once again our directive to ALL oil companies to evacuate by the deadline of midnight today and cease oil production until further notice. This will be the last time such a warning will be released.
Jomo Gbomo
Six army gunboats have been sunk and three destroyed. We also captured three intact. Many soldiers have been killed and the military has made a hasty retreat.
Journalists wishing to confirm our claim should please contact the undersigned so that a tour can be arranged where they can take pictures and video.
Jomo Gbomo
Journalists wishing to confirm our claim should please contact the undersigned so that a tour can be arranged where they can take pictures and video.
Jomo Gbomo
In what seems to be a new statement, MEND claims the following:
"A Nigerian Naval warship deployed from Liberia to assist the military has been captured along with its entire crew of officers and ratings. We are in the process of setting it ablaze,"
"A Nigerian Naval warship deployed from Liberia to assist the military has been captured along with its entire crew of officers and ratings. We are in the process of setting it ablaze,"
Rumor has it that Aero and Bristow have grounded all their helicopters in the Niger Delta.
Friends in WT say that a PanAf 412 was hit but, as reported, no casualties.
This is some serious $hit right now, but tis being Nigeria, everything will be back to normal tomorrow with policemen robbing motorists and the government robbing everyone
!
Last edited by Phone Wind; 15th May 2009 at 18:23.
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Yep, the WT 412 got a nice bh in the tailboom...and luckily that round went only through the tailboom...
As for "Okah bonehead"; I hope he will spend some nice time in a jail cell with rats and other gunk.
As for "Okah bonehead"; I hope he will spend some nice time in a jail cell with rats and other gunk.