Posted on 04/25/2006 4:45:11 AM PDT by Flavius
LAGOS (AFP) - The US energy giant ExxonMobil has evacuated non-essential staff from Nigeria's largest oil export terminal amid fears it could be attacked by armed militants. ADVERTISEMENT
ExxonMobil's Qua Iboe facility in southeastern Nigeria handles exports of 650,000 barrels per day, although the firm's Nigerian spokesman Yemi Fakayejo told AFP that output had not yet been hit by the latest scare.
"We have evacuated non-essential workers from the Qua Iboe export terminal following an intelligence report that Niger Delta militants were planning an attack on oil facilities and personnel," he said.
"This is a precautionary step... There is no disruption in oil production and exports. Production is up and running and offshore and essential staff are at the export terminal, working," Fakayejo added.
Over the past three months separatist guerrillas have carried out a series of attacks on Niger Delta oil facilities, forcing foreign multinationals to cut Nigeria's exports of around 2.5 million barrels per day by around a quarter.
Thus far ExxonMobil's facilities, most of which apart from Qua Iboe are offshore, have been spared, while pipelines operated by Shell, ChevronTexaco and ENI have been blown up and 24 members of security forces there killed.
Fakayejo said that there was no evidence in the latest intelligence report that his firm was specifically threatened, but "didn't want to take chances".
"That is why we have asked non-essential workers to stay at home, at least for today," he told AFP by telephone.
Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has reached out to disgruntled members of the delta's Ijaw ethnic group with a promise of regional development, but the most hardcore of the militant groups have rejected his offer.
Last week a car bomb exploded in a barracks in the oil city of Port Harcourt, killing at least two civilian bystanders.
ExxonMobil's Qua Iboe facility in southeastern Nigeria handles exports of 650,000 barrels per day, although the firm's Nigerian spokesman Yemi Fakayejo told AFP that output had not yet been hit by the latest scare.
"We have evacuated non-essential workers from the Qua Iboe export terminal following an intelligence report that Niger Delta militants were planning an attack on oil facilities and personnel," he said.
"This is a precautionary step... There is no disruption in oil production and exports. Production is up and running and offshore and essential staff are at the export terminal, working," Fakayejo added.
Over the past three months separatist guerrillas have carried out a series of attacks on Niger Delta oil facilities, forcing foreign multinationals to cut Nigeria's exports of around 2.5 million barrels per day by around a quarter.
Thus far ExxonMobil's facilities, most of which apart from Qua Iboe are offshore, have been spared, while pipelines operated by Shell, ChevronTexaco and ENI have been blown up and 24 members of security forces there killed.
Fakayejo said that there was no evidence in the latest intelligence report that his firm was specifically threatened, but "didn't want to take chances".
"That is why we have asked non-essential workers to stay at home, at least for today," he told AFP by telephone.
Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo has reached out to disgruntled members of the delta's Ijaw ethnic group with a promise of regional development, but the most hardcore of the militant groups have rejected his offer.
Last week a car bomb exploded in a barracks in the oil city of Port Harcourt, killing at least two civilian bystanders.
This should be good to boost gas prices another 25 cents.
Yep, up go the pump prices, up, up, and away. I just hate this speculation price controls.
At least.......ever wonder since Exxon profits have been so high recently that it could be possible that a super secret group inside Exxon is actually paying someone to attack them or at least suggest so???
Violence in Nigeria has been a problem for years. I think you can put in earplugs to drown out the noise of the Black Helicopters now.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't following you. :)
bush announced an investigation into the commodities markets and spectulators last night we should hear the goons on cnbc screaming about it today
"just another 'what if'"
I know. Just wanted to use a favorite line. It's a quote from somewhere, I believe.
OK: "I'm mad and I need to blow something/someone up! How, Islamofascists."
At least Gomez in 'The Adams Family' crashed his trains because he liked a good wreck. ;-)
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