Fifty-Three Percent of Oil, Gas Workers Would Quit over Training

More than half of the oil and gas industry's employees would consider leaving an employer due to a lack of training and development, according to a BP-sponsored study of 773 professionals who work in the sector across 24 countries.

Findings from the survey – which was conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers – found that 53 percent of respondents said a lack of training and development opportunities would lead them to consider leaving an employer. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that training and development was important in their choice of role, while 37 percent felt that a lack of training in previous roles has held them back in their career.

The survey also found that a quarter of respondents believe the current lack of training and development is detrimental to their career. Fifty-six percent of respondents believe that the employer should provide all or some training to new joiners, although only 11 percent expect their employer to provide all of their training.

The research also found that oil and gas professionals believe that future generations of oil and gas workers require more development during their university years. While universities equipped students either "quite well" or "very well" with industry knowledge and technical and computer skills, they came up short in developing soft-skills that are critical for a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Less than one-third of respondents believed that universities helped students properly develop soft skills such as initiative, flexibility and work ethic.

In November, Rigzone reported that BP had launched a new $7.2-million scholarship program for talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics students as part of the firm's plans to foster an interest in the oil and gas industry among undergraduates. The company also runs "Discovery Days" and internships for promising students.

BP Head of Learning and Development Don Shoultz commented in a statement Tuesday:

"These findings further underscore the challenge the industry faces; we've got an ever growing skills deficit. The industry's more experienced talent needs continually to transfer the knowledge and skills they have built up through mentoring programs. Separately, oil and gas companies, of all sizes, need to ensure they are consistently increasing their investment in formal training and development programs."

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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Fifty-Three Percent of Oil, Gas Workers Would Quit over Training

More than half of the oil and gas industry's employees would consider leaving an employer due to a lack of training and development, according to a BP-sponsored study of 773 professionals who work in the sector across 24 countries.

Findings from the survey – which was conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers – found that 53 percent of respondents said a lack of training and development opportunities would lead them to consider leaving an employer. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that training and development was important in their choice of role, while 37 percent felt that a lack of training in previous roles has held them back in their career.

The survey also found that a quarter of respondents believe the current lack of training and development is detrimental to their career. Fifty-six percent of respondents believe that the employer should provide all or some training to new joiners, although only 11 percent expect their employer to provide all of their training.

The research also found that oil and gas professionals believe that future generations of oil and gas workers require more development during their university years. While universities equipped students either "quite well" or "very well" with industry knowledge and technical and computer skills, they came up short in developing soft-skills that are critical for a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Less than one-third of respondents believed that universities helped students properly develop soft skills such as initiative, flexibility and work ethic.

In November, Rigzone reported that BP had launched a new $7.2-million scholarship program for talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics students as part of the firm's plans to foster an interest in the oil and gas industry among undergraduates. The company also runs "Discovery Days" and internships for promising students.

BP Head of Learning and Development Don Shoultz commented in a statement Tuesday:

"These findings further underscore the challenge the industry faces; we've got an ever growing skills deficit. The industry's more experienced talent needs continually to transfer the knowledge and skills they have built up through mentoring programs. Separately, oil and gas companies, of all sizes, need to ensure they are consistently increasing their investment in formal training and development programs."

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Fifty-Three Percent of Oil, Gas Workers Would Quit over Training

More than half of the oil and gas industry's employees would consider leaving an employer due to a lack of training and development, according to a BP-sponsored study of 773 professionals who work in the sector across 24 countries.

Findings from the survey – which was conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers – found that 53 percent of respondents said a lack of training and development opportunities would lead them to consider leaving an employer. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that training and development was important in their choice of role, while 37 percent felt that a lack of training in previous roles has held them back in their career.

The survey also found that a quarter of respondents believe the current lack of training and development is detrimental to their career. Fifty-six percent of respondents believe that the employer should provide all or some training to new joiners, although only 11 percent expect their employer to provide all of their training.

The research also found that oil and gas professionals believe that future generations of oil and gas workers require more development during their university years. While universities equipped students either "quite well" or "very well" with industry knowledge and technical and computer skills, they came up short in developing soft-skills that are critical for a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Less than one-third of respondents believed that universities helped students properly develop soft skills such as initiative, flexibility and work ethic.

In November, Rigzone reported that BP had launched a new $7.2-million scholarship program for talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics students as part of the firm's plans to foster an interest in the oil and gas industry among undergraduates. The company also runs "Discovery Days" and internships for promising students.

BP Head of Learning and Development Don Shoultz commented in a statement Tuesday:

"These findings further underscore the challenge the industry faces; we've got an ever growing skills deficit. The industry's more experienced talent needs continually to transfer the knowledge and skills they have built up through mentoring programs. Separately, oil and gas companies, of all sizes, need to ensure they are consistently increasing their investment in formal training and development programs."

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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Six Foreign Oil Workers Kidnapped Off Nigeria Are Free

LAGOS - Six foreigners kidnapped on February 17 by armed pirates from an oil service ship off Nigeria have been released unhurt without a ransom being paid, police told AFP on Tuesday.

"All the six foreign hostages (were) released Monday evening unhurt. No ransom was paid before their release," said the police commissioner in Bayelsa state, Kingsley Omire, referring to the Indian, Russian and Ukrainian hostages.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Chevron Evacuates Workers in Western Australia as Cyclone Nears

PERTH - Chevron Corp. has begun evacuating workers from some of its oil and natural gas operations in Western Australia state as Tropical Cyclone Rusty threatens to unleash high winds and flooding in the Pilbara region over coming days.

Chevron is moving non-essential workers on Barrow and Thevenard Islands as a precautionary measure, and tying down equipment ahead of the cyclone's arrival, the U.S. company said in a statement Tuesday.

Chevron operates oil facilities on the two islands, while Barrow Island is also the site of its 52 billion Australian dollar ($53.4 billion) Gorgon gas-export project, which is under construction and around 55% complete.

Workers have also been evacuated from the Atwood Osprey drilling rig, and Chevron said it is continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd., operator of the North West Shelf and Pluto gas-export facilities at Karratha, separately said it is taking precautions to "safeguard our people and assets" without being more specific.

Australia's three biggest iron ore ports are readying for the tidal surges, destructive winds and heavy rainfall predicted as Rusty heads towards land in the next day or so. Port Hedland, Cape Lambert and Dampier ports were closed Monday due to rough seas ahead of the storm.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. said its port and rail operations at Port Hedland have been locked down in accordance with cyclone readiness procedures.

"All work has been suspended on site," the Perth-based company said in an email.

Atlas Iron Ltd. said it has stopped work at its flagship Pardoo mining operations located about 75 kilometers east of Port Hedland.

"It is very much bearing down on us," managing director Ken Brinsden said of the cyclone on a conference call with investors. "It is looking almost like a direct hit on the Pardoo site."

He said Atlas didn't expect the temporary shutdown to affect the company's full-year guidance. Atlas Iron is targeting shipments of between 7.4-7.7 million metric tons of iron ore this fiscal year.

"There will be an impact, clearly, but we would expect to get back in pretty quickly," Mr. Brinsden said.

Rusty is expected to move close to the Pilbara coastline Wednesday and may intensify into a Category 4 system, Australia's second-most severe cyclone ranking that assumes very destructive winds and structural damage.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has also warned of flooding in some areas, along with a dangerous storm tide as the eye of the cyclone nears land.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Six Foreign Oil Workers Kidnapped in Nigeria

LAGOS (AFP) – Armed pirates who stormed an oil service ship in southern Nigeria have kidnapped six foreigners and demanded a $1.3 million ransom for their release, police told AFP.

"Three of those abducted are from Ukraine, two from India, one from Russia," Bayelsa state police spokesman Fidelis Odunna said of the Sunday attack.

"One of the kidnappers called to demand the sum of 200 million naira" ($1.3 million), he added.

The Armada Tuah vessel operated by the Lagos-based Century Group with a crew of 15 was attacked by gunmen in waters off Bayelsa, police said.

It was not immediately clear how far offshore the vessel was at the time of the attack, or whether it had in fact docked.

"We have deployed intelligence personnel in search of the six workers," Odunna said.

The kidnapping of foreign oil workers is common in Nigeria's oil-rich south, with the hostages often released following a ransom payment. It is however rare for police to discuss the details of ransom demands.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Australian Oil, Gas Workers World's Best Paid at $163,600/Year

SYDNEY - Workers in Australia's oil and gas sector are the highest paid in the world and earn 25% more than U.S. counterparts, according to a new survey that lays bare the pressures facing companies like Chevron Corp. as they invest billions of dollars to meet Asia's booming energy demand.

Australian workers pocket an average of $163,600 a year to work on projects that range from platforms drilling for natural gas in deep water off the northern coast to onshore rigs seeking to unlock deposits of unconventional gas in the sweltering heat of the Australian Outback, the survey by recruitment firm Hays found.

The labor market has tightened as more than $160 billion is invested in Australia's natural gas industry, which has to compete with big mining projects for pipe layers, welders and engineers. As a result, Hays said the bulging pay-packets offered Down Under are even higher for imported workers--coming in at $171,00 a year.

A combination of vast natural gas reserves, a stable political environment and proximity to fast-growing Asian economies have put Australia on course to overtake Qatar as the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, by the end of the decade. Around 12 multi-billion LNG projects are either under construction on its coastline or on the drawing board.

With a population of around 23 million people--less than ten times smaller than the U.S.-- Australia lacks a deep labor pool for major projects and large salaries are often required to entice workers to remote corners of the country.

Spiralling labor costs have already contributed to a series of budget overruns at Australian gas-export projects operated by Chevron, BG Group PLC and Australia's Santos Ltd. In the largest example, Chevron said higher labor costs were partly to blame for a 21% increase in the cost of building the Gorgon liquefied natural gas development to 52 billion Australian dollars ($53.5 billion).

But in a mild positive for developers, the average Australian salary in the oil and gas sector fell 0.7% in 2012 compared to 2011.

Norway is the second most expensive country to hire local workers, with an average annual salary of $152,600 needed for recruitment, Hays said. New Zealand ranks third with a median pay packet of $127,600.

The survey was based on the responses of 25,000 people working across 53 countries. The U.S. ranked fifth with $121,400 for local workers, while Sudan brought up the rear with $31,100.

"The guide does reveal signs of a slowdown in salary growth for both imported and local labour in Australia, which may be a sign that the market has passed its peak in terms of demand for specialist oil and gas skills," said Matt Underhill, managing director of Hays Oil & Gas.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Australian Oil, Gas Workers World's Best Paid at $163,600/Year

SYDNEY - Workers in Australia's oil and gas sector are the highest paid in the world and earn 25% more than U.S. counterparts, according to a new survey that lays bare the pressures facing companies like Chevron Corp. as they invest billions of dollars to meet Asia's booming energy demand.

Australian workers pocket an average of $163,600 a year to work on projects that range from platforms drilling for natural gas in deep water off the northern coast to onshore rigs seeking to unlock deposits of unconventional gas in the sweltering heat of the Australian Outback, the survey by recruitment firm Hays found.

The labor market has tightened as more than $160 billion is invested in Australia's natural gas industry, which has to compete with big mining projects for pipe layers, welders and engineers. As a result, Hays said the bulging pay-packets offered Down Under are even higher for imported workers--coming in at $171,00 a year.

A combination of vast natural gas reserves, a stable political environment and proximity to fast-growing Asian economies have put Australia on course to overtake Qatar as the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, by the end of the decade. Around 12 multi-billion LNG projects are either under construction on its coastline or on the drawing board.

With a population of around 23 million people--less than ten times smaller than the U.S.-- Australia lacks a deep labor pool for major projects and large salaries are often required to entice workers to remote corners of the country.

Spiralling labor costs have already contributed to a series of budget overruns at Australian gas-export projects operated by Chevron, BG Group PLC and Australia's Santos Ltd. In the largest example, Chevron said higher labor costs were partly to blame for a 21% increase in the cost of building the Gorgon liquefied natural gas development to 52 billion Australian dollars ($53.5 billion).

But in a mild positive for developers, the average Australian salary in the oil and gas sector fell 0.7% in 2012 compared to 2011.

Norway is the second most expensive country to hire local workers, with an average annual salary of $152,600 needed for recruitment, Hays said. New Zealand ranks third with a median pay packet of $127,600.

The survey was based on the responses of 25,000 people working across 53 countries. The U.S. ranked fifth with $121,400 for local workers, while Sudan brought up the rear with $31,100.

"The guide does reveal signs of a slowdown in salary growth for both imported and local labour in Australia, which may be a sign that the market has passed its peak in terms of demand for specialist oil and gas skills," said Matt Underhill, managing director of Hays Oil & Gas.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Pemex Workers Briefly Leave Offices on Gas Fears

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's state-run oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, said Wednesday that some workers were briefly evacuated from an office building at its Mexico City headquarters after the smell of rotting food caused them to fear the presence of gas. The incident came six days after a gas explosion killed 37 people at the site and injured more than 120.

Pemex press officials said Wednesday's worries of leaking gas turned out to be a "false alarm," and that it didn't affect workers at Pemex's 48-story office tower.

Company spokesman Ignacio Duran said the smell was limited to a small area of an administrative building, and that some people decided to leave. He said workers last week had left behind many personal objects, when the entire corporate complex was evacuated after the Thursday blast, including food that had since decomposed.

Pemex workers had returned to the offices, except for the damaged building, earlier on Wednesday. Mexican officials have said an accumulation of gas caused the explosion that damaged the lower floors of the B2 administrative building, raining debris down on workers and visitors.

Experts haven't determined the source of the gas, officials said, but did say it was safe for workers to return to the other buildings Wednesday. The B2 building remains closed.

Benjamin Ruiz Loyola, a chemist at Mexico City's National University and a member of the forensics team looking into the blast, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that the source of the natural gas in the basement of the B2 building could have come from a pipeline under the building, or from rotting organic matter.

"The source is what isn't clear," Mr. Ruiz told Radio Formula.

He also said there were no indications at all of an explosive device, which would have clearly left behind signs of the explosion coming from a concentrated source, and not a diffuse source, like a gas cloud. He said the gas explosion caused the cement floors of the building to be pushed upwards, and then to crash down.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Pemex Workers Briefly Leave Offices on Gas Fears

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's state-run oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, said Wednesday that some workers were briefly evacuated from an office building at its Mexico City headquarters after the smell of rotting food caused them to fear the presence of gas. The incident came six days after a gas explosion killed 37 people at the site and injured more than 120.

Pemex press officials said Wednesday's worries of leaking gas turned out to be a "false alarm," and that it didn't affect workers at Pemex's 48-story office tower.

Company spokesman Ignacio Duran said the smell was limited to a small area of an administrative building, and that some people decided to leave. He said workers last week had left behind many personal objects, when the entire corporate complex was evacuated after the Thursday blast, including food that had since decomposed.

Pemex workers had returned to the offices, except for the damaged building, earlier on Wednesday. Mexican officials have said an accumulation of gas caused the explosion that damaged the lower floors of the B2 administrative building, raining debris down on workers and visitors.

Experts haven't determined the source of the gas, officials said, but did say it was safe for workers to return to the other buildings Wednesday. The B2 building remains closed.

Benjamin Ruiz Loyola, a chemist at Mexico City's National University and a member of the forensics team looking into the blast, said in a radio interview on Tuesday that the source of the natural gas in the basement of the B2 building could have come from a pipeline under the building, or from rotting organic matter.

"The source is what isn't clear," Mr. Ruiz told Radio Formula.

He also said there were no indications at all of an explosive device, which would have clearly left behind signs of the explosion coming from a concentrated source, and not a diffuse source, like a gas cloud. He said the gas explosion caused the cement floors of the building to be pushed upwards, and then to crash down.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Brazil Oil Workers to Vote on Wider Petrobras Strike

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian oil workers will vote to approve a five-day strike at state-run energy company Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras, that would likely interrupt oil production at the company, a union official said Friday.

The strike is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 20, said Joao Antonio de Moraes, general coordinator for the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation, or FUP. FUP is an umbrella union representing about two-thirds of Petrobras's 80,000 employees.

If approved, the strike would come at a delicate time for Petrobras. Petrobras has struggled with flagging crude-oil production over the past year because of declining recovery rates at mature fields and maintenance shutdowns at ageing offshore platforms. The company's finances have also been stretched because of heavy imports of gasoline and diesel fuel that the company is forced to sell at a loss in the domestic market.

Petrobras reports fourth-quarter earnings results Monday, with year-on-year net profits expected to rise about 20%. The company's full-year profit, however, is expected to be the worst in nearly a decade.

Workers are protesting Petrobras's latest profit-sharing offer, which the union contends short-changes workers to the benefit of shareholders. Workers could accept a lower slice of Petrobras's profits if the company also reduced dividends paid to shareholders, Mr. Moraes said.

"The negotiations are very difficult" this year, the union chief added. While FUP has sought out further negotiations with Petrobras and the government, nothing has been scheduled so far, Mr. Moraes said.

Petrobras said that it used the same criteria for its profit-sharing proposal as previous years. "The company remains open to negotiations with labor groups so that all parties may come to an understanding," Petrobras said in an email.

The broader strike would follow a 24-hour "warning" strike held Monday. Workers declined to change shifts at refineries and terminals, while workers at offshore platforms only performed routine duties. The strike did not aim to affect production, union officials said.

That's not the case this time around, Mr. Moraes said. "It's safe to say that production will be affected by a strike lasting five days," Mr. Moraes said.

The last major strike at Petrobras took place in July 2008, when oil workers walked off the job for five days to protest work issues and profit-sharing proposals. The strike cost Petrobras about 63,000 barrels of crude oil production per day.

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Brazil Oil Workers to Vote on Wider Petrobras Strike

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian oil workers will vote to approve a five-day strike at state-run energy company Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras, that would likely interrupt oil production at the company, a union official said Friday.

The strike is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 20, said Joao Antonio de Moraes, general coordinator for the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation, or FUP. FUP is an umbrella union representing about two-thirds of Petrobras's 80,000 employees.

If approved, the strike would come at a delicate time for Petrobras. Petrobras has struggled with flagging crude-oil production over the past year because of declining recovery rates at mature fields and maintenance shutdowns at ageing offshore platforms. The company's finances have also been stretched because of heavy imports of gasoline and diesel fuel that the company is forced to sell at a loss in the domestic market.

Petrobras reports fourth-quarter earnings results Monday, with year-on-year net profits expected to rise about 20%. The company's full-year profit, however, is expected to be the worst in nearly a decade.

Workers are protesting Petrobras's latest profit-sharing offer, which the union contends short-changes workers to the benefit of shareholders. Workers could accept a lower slice of Petrobras's profits if the company also reduced dividends paid to shareholders, Mr. Moraes said.

"The negotiations are very difficult" this year, the union chief added. While FUP has sought out further negotiations with Petrobras and the government, nothing has been scheduled so far, Mr. Moraes said.

Petrobras said that it used the same criteria for its profit-sharing proposal as previous years. "The company remains open to negotiations with labor groups so that all parties may come to an understanding," Petrobras said in an email.

The broader strike would follow a 24-hour "warning" strike held Monday. Workers declined to change shifts at refineries and terminals, while workers at offshore platforms only performed routine duties. The strike did not aim to affect production, union officials said.

That's not the case this time around, Mr. Moraes said. "It's safe to say that production will be affected by a strike lasting five days," Mr. Moraes said.

The last major strike at Petrobras took place in July 2008, when oil workers walked off the job for five days to protest work issues and profit-sharing proposals. The strike cost Petrobras about 63,000 barrels of crude oil production per day.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Brazil Oil Workers to Stage 24-Hour Warning Strike Monday--Union

RIO DE JANEIRO--A union representing oil workers at Brazil's state-run energy company Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR, PETR4.BR), or Petrobras, said late Friday that workers will stage a 24-hour "warning" strike to protest the company's latest profit-sharing offer, although crude oil output is not expected to be affected.

The National Federation of Oil Workers, or FNP, said its members voted to approve the strike this week. The FNP is an umbrella union representing about half of Petrobras's 80,000 employees. Workers at a sister umbrella union known as the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation, or FUP, will also participate in the strike.

Workers are protesting Petrobras's initial profit-sharing proposal made in December, which was less than half the payment oil workers received last year, said Eduardo Henrique Soares da Costa, a director for the FNP. "This is a 24-hour warning strike to add a little pressure to the negotiations and let Petrobras know that it needs to improve its offer," Mr. da Costa said.

Oil workers will decline to change shifts and halt services at installations across the country, but Mr. da Costa said that production will not be affected by the work action.

Strikes such as the one planned for Monday typically involve slowdowns and work-to-rule actions that have limited affect on Petrobras's operations because of their short duration. The work action, however, comes as Petrobras struggles to boost crude-oil output amid ongoing maintenance at offshore platforms. Petrobras faced a similar 24-hour strike in September during salary negotiations.

Petrobras said it was taking "all administrative and operational measures" to guarantee normal operations on Monday. "Petrobras continues to be open to negotiations with the unions so that all parties can reach an understanding about [the profit-sharing payment]," the company said in an email.

The last major strike at Petrobras took place in July 2008, when oil workers walked off the job for five days to protest work issues and profit-sharing proposals. The strike cost Petrobras about 63,000 barrels of crude oil production per day.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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In Amenas: Two Statoil Workers Confirmed Dead

Norway's Statoil reported Friday lunchtime (UK time) that two of its employees missing since the attack by Islamist militants on the In Amenas gas facility in southeastern Algeria have been confirmed as dead.

The two are Tore Bech (58 years old) from Bergen, Norway and Thomas Snekkevik (35 years old) from Austrheim/Bergen, Norway.

Statoil Chief Executive Helge Lund commented in a company statement:

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families and close friends who have lost their loved ones in this horrific and senseless attack on innocent people.

"All of us in Statoil share their grief and express our deep sympathy during this difficult time. We are still very concerned about our three colleagues who remain missing."

Three Statoil employees are still missing after the attack on In Amenas, which began on Jan. 16.

Late Tuesday, BP Group Chief Executive said he "feared the worst" for four of its employees who were still unaccounted for. Press reports identified these BP staff  Monday.

Fourteen of the 18 BP employees who were at the In Amenas site at the time of the attack have been confirmed safe.

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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In Amenas: Two Statoil Workers Confirmed Dead

Norway's Statoil reported Friday lunchtime (UK time) that two of its employees missing since the attack by Islamist militants on the In Amenas gas facility in southeastern Algeria have been confirmed as dead.

The two are Tore Bech (58 years old) from Bergen, Norway and Thomas Snekkevik (35 years old) from Austrheim/Bergen, Norway.

Statoil Chief Executive Helge Lund commented in a company statement:

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families and close friends who have lost their loved ones in this horrific and senseless attack on innocent people.

"All of us in Statoil share their grief and express our deep sympathy during this difficult time. We are still very concerned about our three colleagues who remain missing."

Three Statoil employees are still missing after the attack on In Amenas, which began on Jan. 16.

Late Tuesday, BP Group Chief Executive said he "feared the worst" for four of its employees who were still unaccounted for. Press reports identified these BP staff  Monday.

Fourteen of the 18 BP employees who were at the In Amenas site at the time of the attack have been confirmed safe.

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

In Amenas: Two Statoil Workers Confirmed Dead

Norway's Statoil reported Friday lunchtime (UK time) that two of its employees missing since the attack by Islamist militants on the In Amenas gas facility in southeastern Algeria have been confirmed as dead.

The two are Tore Bech (58 years old) from Bergen, Norway and Thomas Snekkevik (35 years old) from Austrheim/Bergen, Norway.

Statoil Chief Executive Helge Lund commented in a company statement:

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families and close friends who have lost their loved ones in this horrific and senseless attack on innocent people.

"All of us in Statoil share their grief and express our deep sympathy during this difficult time. We are still very concerned about our three colleagues who remain missing."

Three Statoil employees are still missing after the attack on In Amenas, which began on Jan. 16.

Late Tuesday, BP Group Chief Executive said he "feared the worst" for four of its employees who were still unaccounted for. Press reports identified these BP staff  Monday.

Fourteen of the 18 BP employees who were at the In Amenas site at the time of the attack have been confirmed safe.

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Brazil Oil Workers to Stage 24-Hour Warning Strike Monday--Union

RIO DE JANEIRO--A union representing oil workers at Brazil's state-run energy company Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR, PETR4.BR), or Petrobras, said late Friday that workers will stage a 24-hour "warning" strike to protest the company's latest profit-sharing offer, although crude oil output is not expected to be affected.

The National Federation of Oil Workers, or FNP, said its members voted to approve the strike this week. The FNP is an umbrella union representing about half of Petrobras's 80,000 employees. Workers at a sister umbrella union known as the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation, or FUP, will also participate in the strike.

Workers are protesting Petrobras's initial profit-sharing proposal made in December, which was less than half the payment oil workers received last year, said Eduardo Henrique Soares da Costa, a director for the FNP. "This is a 24-hour warning strike to add a little pressure to the negotiations and let Petrobras know that it needs to improve its offer," Mr. da Costa said.

Oil workers will decline to change shifts and halt services at installations across the country, but Mr. da Costa said that production will not be affected by the work action.

Strikes such as the one planned for Monday typically involve slowdowns and work-to-rule actions that have limited affect on Petrobras's operations because of their short duration. The work action, however, comes as Petrobras struggles to boost crude-oil output amid ongoing maintenance at offshore platforms. Petrobras faced a similar 24-hour strike in September during salary negotiations.

Petrobras said it was taking "all administrative and operational measures" to guarantee normal operations on Monday. "Petrobras continues to be open to negotiations with the unions so that all parties can reach an understanding about [the profit-sharing payment]," the company said in an email.

The last major strike at Petrobras took place in July 2008, when oil workers walked off the job for five days to protest work issues and profit-sharing proposals. The strike cost Petrobras about 63,000 barrels of crude oil production per day.

Copyright (c) 2012 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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O&G Firms Evacuate Workers, Shut In Fields for Cyclone Peta's Passing

Oil and gas companies operating offshore northwest of Western Australia have started shut in operations and personnel evacuation programs, after they received warnings to expect winds of up to 62 miles an hour in the wake of a tropical low which has strengthened into Cyclone Peta.

People in the area are being warned to expect thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, and a flood warning has been issued for Pilbara.

A spokesperson representing Apache Corp. confirmed with Rigzone Wednesday that the Stag and Van Gogh fields are shut in, due to the expected path of Cyclone Peta.

"Preparations include the making safe of all facilities in the forecast radius to gales, and the evacuation of non-essential personnel from offshore operations in the area," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson representing Woodside said that the company is taking the necessary precautions to safeguard its people and assets in response to Cyclone Peta.

Cyclone Peta follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Narelle, which passed offshore Western Australia in the second week of January.

Quintella has reported on the upstream and downstream oil and petrochemicals markets from 2004. Email Quintella at quintella.koh@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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O&G Firms Evacuate Workers, Shut In Fields for Cyclone Peta's Passing

Oil and gas companies operating offshore northwest of Western Australia have started shut in operations and personnel evacuation programs, after they received warnings to expect winds of up to 62 miles an hour in the wake of a tropical low which has strengthened into Cyclone Peta.

People in the area are being warned to expect thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, and a flood warning has been issued for Pilbara.

A spokesperson representing Apache Corp. confirmed with Rigzone Wednesday that the Stag and Van Gogh fields are shut in, due to the expected path of Cyclone Peta.

"Preparations include the making safe of all facilities in the forecast radius to gales, and the evacuation of non-essential personnel from offshore operations in the area," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson representing Woodside said that the company is taking the necessary precautions to safeguard its people and assets in response to Cyclone Peta.

Cyclone Peta follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Narelle, which passed offshore Western Australia in the second week of January.

Quintella has reported on the upstream and downstream oil and petrochemicals markets from 2004. Email Quintella at quintella.koh@rigzone.com.

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here