Working offshore in Nigeria

[Norwegian_Dude]

Hi All,

Yes, I know this topic have been discussed before, but I cannot find any recent posts about it. As times change, we need fresh info

Basically, I’m considering going to work offshore in Nigeria. Its vessel based ROV work and the crew change will take place through the heliport of Lagos. Needless to say, there will be armed guards picking you up at the airport.

Anybody want to shed some light on working there these days? How is the airport? Any tricks to pass through the immigration and customs without being "robbed"? How is the secure hotels?

Cheers

[James McLauchlan]

I have no idea on the current situation in Nigeria but how people might find going to work being escorted by armed guards as an acceptable proposition needs some consideration. Is the reward worth the potential risk?

[Savante]

as of last week

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8453915.stm

[Andy Shiers]

I think , Reading it is better than being there 😕

[bcklad]

Lagos is nowhere as bad as the delta region.

The airport in Lagos has improved over the years. Dpending on what Client you are working for you will either fly from the Heliport near the airport or travel across Lagos to Snake Island where Shell is based and other contractors.

Snake Island has its own heliport and it was Bristows that supplied the aircraft the last time I was there.

Now down towards the South East is a different ball game , Port Harcourt /Warri and Onne have alot to be desired.

I have worked in Nigeria for over 6 yrs but refuse to go to these places mentioned above now.

The hotels are a mixed bunch , we used the Le Meriden down in Victoria Island and it was supposedly secure but it didnt stop the odd incident when a few locals would turn up during the middle of the night with your details trying to get you out of your room.

Out in the Gulf of Guinea lots of vessels will crew change in Cameroon or EG to avoid the Delta area. Again its depends on the security arrangements supplied by the Client and Contractor that will make a big difference on what you are exposed too

Like others have said, you have to weigh up the pros and cons to see if its worth the risk , personally I came to the conclusion it wasnt and moved on.

[Norwegian_Dude]

Thanks for your very informative reply bcklad.

I will again confirm all the security arrangement with the contractor and give it some serious thinking

Cheers

ND

[Scott Beveridge]

It begs the question, based on the few replies here…. Is it actually worth it? My point being is that you are going to a very non-secure region at a ridiculously low day rate as compared to say…. a few years ago. Nuff’ said….

[Andy Shiers]

I thought the advice from the British consulate was ……………………………………
Don’t go there ! 😯
So if you do , and you get kidnapped or worse killed you get your 5 minutes of fame on the news plus alot of headache for a lot of people because of your "Independant actions"
I should check with your consulate first despite what the oil company offers in assurance. Security or not it’s a shite place to go even for one who is desperate but a very selfish attitude to take , hmmmmmmmmm 🙄

[Woodchopper]

I done a couple of trips there earlier this year and found it to be more acceptable than the Congo where I was before. Firstly the staff at the airport speak English instead of French, they seemed fairly professional and did not attempt to "rob" me (In the Congo (Pointe Noire) the airport staff were more interested in searching your wallet than your bags)- no worries there, although is seems to take 2 hrs to get through security when leaving the Nigeria as every man and his dog pushes through the que.

We travelled from Lagos to the Eko hotel and had security with us. Supposed to have been two pick-up trucks following during darkness but only had one. Security was poor as were the agents who met us. Flew on to Port Harcourt but always stayed in the Nigerian air force base prior to heli flight.

Overall I thought it was not as bad as made out. Although I never got kidnapped! At least the kidnappers are just after money and not Islamic extremists (although they have them in Nigeria too e.g. the "underpants" bomber) The general consensus is that the biggest risk you face is contracting malaria during your period of confinement in the swamps if captured.

If I could help it I wouldn’t go to Africa, but as a inexperienced PT and trainee until this new year, the old saying comes to mind…beggars can’t be choosers

Woodchopper

[KeyserSoze]

Woody,

It’s like that other old saying that Keith Chegwin remembered after he kept wetting the bed……Cheggers can’t be boozers.

[iROV]

Ross Kemp In Search Of Pirates 2: Nigeria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGsNSwcS6lc

[madddawg]

I’ll trade my cold, miserable, underpaying North Sea slot for a Nigeria slot any day …Or any other WA slot for that matter!

It’s as bad as what you make of it. Don’t go wandering about after hours/flash dollars et al and you’ll be fine. Worked there for a quite a while and no incidents worth mentioning occured.

Now, anybody want to swop…… 😉

[Simon Jackson]

Hi Norwegian Dude

I guess from the various posts you’ve read it pretty obvious that working out in Nigeria offers different experiences to different people.

I’ve been out here now for about 3 months with Chamberlin Energy working on their ROV and sub sea engineering off shore division and I’ve got to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

This in part has been because I’ve been based in Lagos or should I say the centre of excellence as its known locally. Once you get past the obvious deficiencies in the system of which the are many you find it’s very bearable if not expensive.

Whilst in Lagos you’ll be advised to say in areas like Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki. These are where most of the well to do Nigerians stay and expat community.

I found an online community called oyibos online of particular help as a ref point. Though I would urge you to show the same level of caution you would on any forum.

As others have said the Delta is a whole different game. I have yet to experience it and for now I’m happy that way

[rovnumpty]

Hello Dude.

You’ve probably already decided if you’re going on this job or not, but here’s my thoughts.

There’s quite a few on this topic saying ‘it’s what you make of it’. I would say it’s more what other people make of it, as the one constant in Nigeria is that things can turn nasty very quickly.

I saw a man pistol whipped for trying to sell bread in a traffic jam. I saw a riot break out which left 500 dead. I saw a man hit by a car and left where he was, dead or alive. That was in Lagos in a 4 month period.

I was held on a rig for 3 days and ransomed. By our own Nigerian workforce. I was prepped for helicopter evacuation, from an onshore base, as it was about to be taken over by a mob. That was down in the delta in a six month period.

Now maybe I was just unlucky, but I thinks it’s more the guys who don’t see any trouble are very lucky.

[Author]

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