BP Withdraws Staff from Libya

BP is withdrawing some of its staff from Libya amid potential violence in the country.

BP said in a statement Sunday that it was withdrawing non-essential overseas staff out of Libya "as a precautionary measure" following advice given to it by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, BP said that its Libyan staff remain in its office in the country.

Last week, the Foreign Office noted that armed groups were disrupting access to a number of government ministries in Tripoli, Libya's capital city, and that there was potential for violence and clashes between rival armed groups. The FCO advised Friday UK citizens against all but essential travel to Tripoli and against all travel to the rest of the country. It has also withdrawn a small number of its own staff who work at the British Embassy.

Also last week, Italy's ENI – the international oil major with the biggest operations in Libya – said it expects unrest to continue in the country. On Friday, ENI Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni was quoted as saying that he is optimistic that the situation in Libya will eventually improve as the country embraces democracy.

The latest violence is likely to delay further BP restarting its operations in the country. The company indicated several times in 2012 that it was looking to restart its operations after it suspended them during Libya's civil war in 2011, but even before the recent violence differences between the Libyan government and foreign firms over the use of foreign security forces in oil zones within the country are already thought to have been an obstacle to BP resuming operations.

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.

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BP Withdraws Staff from Libya

BP is withdrawing some of its staff from Libya amid potential violence in the country.

BP said in a statement Sunday that it was withdrawing non-essential overseas staff out of Libya "as a precautionary measure" following advice given to it by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, BP said that its Libyan staff remain in its office in the country.

Last week, the Foreign Office noted that armed groups were disrupting access to a number of government ministries in Tripoli, Libya's capital city, and that there was potential for violence and clashes between rival armed groups. The FCO advised Friday UK citizens against all but essential travel to Tripoli and against all travel to the rest of the country. It has also withdrawn a small number of its own staff who work at the British Embassy.

Also last week, Italy's ENI – the international oil major with the biggest operations in Libya – said it expects unrest to continue in the country. On Friday, ENI Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni was quoted as saying that he is optimistic that the situation in Libya will eventually improve as the country embraces democracy.

The latest violence is likely to delay further BP restarting its operations in the country. The company indicated several times in 2012 that it was looking to restart its operations after it suspended them during Libya's civil war in 2011, but even before the recent violence differences between the Libyan government and foreign firms over the use of foreign security forces in oil zones within the country are already thought to have been an obstacle to BP resuming operations.

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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Petronas Staff Awarded One-Off Bonus

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - About 40,000 state-run Petroliam Nasional Bhd. employees will receive a MYR1,000 (US $324), one-time bonus, Prime Minister Najib Razak told them on Tuesday.

The bonus is "a gesture toward our nation-building efforts," a Petronas worker told The Wall Street Journal on condition of anonymity.

The bonus was confirmed by a prime minister's office spokeswoman.

Mr. Najib last month pledged annual cash handouts for the poor.

Malaysia must hold a general election by the end of June. It is predicted by experts to be the most closely contested in Malaysia's history.

Earlier on Tuesday a local news media report said Mr. Najib may dissolve the parliament as early as Wednesday.

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

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Petronas Staff Awarded One-Off Bonus

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - About 40,000 state-run Petroliam Nasional Bhd. employees will receive a MYR1,000 (US $324), one-time bonus, Prime Minister Najib Razak told them on Tuesday.

The bonus is "a gesture toward our nation-building efforts," a Petronas worker told The Wall Street Journal on condition of anonymity.

The bonus was confirmed by a prime minister's office spokeswoman.

Mr. Najib last month pledged annual cash handouts for the poor.

Malaysia must hold a general election by the end of June. It is predicted by experts to be the most closely contested in Malaysia's history.

Earlier on Tuesday a local news media report said Mr. Najib may dissolve the parliament as early as Wednesday.

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

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BP CEO Says Four BP Staff Most Likely Died In Amenas Attack-E-Mail

LONDON--Four members of BP PLC's (BP) staff have most likely died in the terrorist attack last week on an Algerian gas plant, the company's chief executive said Friday, adding that the U.K. oil giant will learn lessons from the tragedy.

An attack by Islamist militants in Algeria's Sahara on the In Amenas gas plant--run by BP, Statoil ASA (STL.OS) and Algerian state oil company Sonatrach--left at least 37 foreign workers dead. The event highlighted a formidable new threat for oil companies investing in the region.

In an internal e-mail to staff, BP CEO Bob Dudley said "it is now clear that four of our colleagues in all likelihood lost their lives in the attack on the In Amenas joint venture." Over the weekend, he had said the company had feared "the worst" for them.

Using unusually harsh language, Mr. Dudley said the plant was "attacked by murderers on what should have been an ordinary working day. This was an appalling act of evil--a barbarous and pre-meditated criminal attack."

But he insisted BP would help governments investigate the tragedy as well as learn lessons to avoid it being repeated.

"Governments will also be conducting their enquiries. BP will participate fully and share what knowledge and insights we have," Mr. Dudley said. "We will ensure any lessons are applied to prevent such an outrage occurring again."

The e-mail also hinted that the tragedy could hurt staff morale.

"This has been a heavy blow for BP and I can imagine people across the company asking many questions," the CEO said in the e-mail. "I am very clear about where BP goes. We go on."

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

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BP CEO Says Four BP Staff Most Likely Died In Amenas Attack-E-Mail

LONDON--Four members of BP PLC's (BP) staff have most likely died in the terrorist attack last week on an Algerian gas plant, the company's chief executive said Friday, adding that the U.K. oil giant will learn lessons from the tragedy.

An attack by Islamist militants in Algeria's Sahara on the In Amenas gas plant--run by BP, Statoil ASA (STL.OS) and Algerian state oil company Sonatrach--left at least 37 foreign workers dead. The event highlighted a formidable new threat for oil companies investing in the region.

In an internal e-mail to staff, BP CEO Bob Dudley said "it is now clear that four of our colleagues in all likelihood lost their lives in the attack on the In Amenas joint venture." Over the weekend, he had said the company had feared "the worst" for them.

Using unusually harsh language, Mr. Dudley said the plant was "attacked by murderers on what should have been an ordinary working day. This was an appalling act of evil--a barbarous and pre-meditated criminal attack."

But he insisted BP would help governments investigate the tragedy as well as learn lessons to avoid it being repeated.

"Governments will also be conducting their enquiries. BP will participate fully and share what knowledge and insights we have," Mr. Dudley said. "We will ensure any lessons are applied to prevent such an outrage occurring again."

The e-mail also hinted that the tragedy could hurt staff morale.

"This has been a heavy blow for BP and I can imagine people across the company asking many questions," the CEO said in the e-mail. "I am very clear about where BP goes. We go on."

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

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Outside experts to review Colorado prison operations following staff member's murder

Font ResizeCops and CourtsBy Kirk Mitchell
The Denver Postdenverpost.comPosted: 12/21/2012 02:11:27 PM MSTDecember 21, 2012 9:17 PM GMTUpdated: 12/21/2012 02:17:44 PM MST


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