Seismic Exploration

Seismic project completes…
Crew change in about a week…
Client goes home…

…NOT!  Ahh, Nigeria!

Okay, well, the job did complete and masterfully so.  The last few days of production topped all expectations.  The client was pleased and, hopefully so, contractor management was pleased.  The crew, hmm, not so pleased.

Nigeria decided to go on nationwide strike to protest the removal of fuel subsidies.  The price of Petrol at the pump almost doubled and the people just couldn’t afford the increase.  Not just a strike though, a major shutdown of the country.  No government offices open; airports, waterway ports, businesses, land transportation, everything on hold.

With government offices closed the vessel cannot get clearance to leave the country.  Who knows when clearance will actually be issued?  What about fuel, food, other supplies?  What does that mean for our seismic crew?

New project can’t yet start…
Crew change cancelled, crew shifts to 6 weeks on 6 weeks off schedule…
Client stays with crew (also can’t go home)…

Ahh, Nigeria!

Questions arise now, at least in the crews mind if not out loud.  Will we really get home after 6 weeks or are we still going to be in nowhere land onboard the seismic vessel?

It isn’t looking too good from news outlets either.  The meeting between the strike unions and the President did not result in a settlement plan.  That means, if the plan follows through, that all oil field workers will stop work.  This raises the specter of rising oil & fuel prices all over the world.  Income to the government of Nigeria will be reduced to a pittance.

Right now the crew waits, not much else they can do really.  Wait and hope for the best.  That is what the author is doing.

Tags: General, Marine, Nigeria, Safety, Seismic, Strike