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2008-05-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Alba Oil and Gas Community!

2008-02-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

North Sea, Scotland * Offshore Bomb Hoax!

Workers are now returning to the North Sea oil platform ,after a hoax bomb scare on the Flotel Safe Scandinavia -Police are making arrangements to fly a 23 year old woman from a North Sea oil platform which was at the centre of a security alert.

The British woman, who had been working aboard the installation, was detained by the offshore installation manager after making the bomb threat (awaiting further details)

The alert meant 161 staff were taken off the Safe Scandinavia - Owner Britannia Operator Ltd, said a worker had made allegations about a possible suspicious device. The firm confirmed that the "precautionary downman" had been halted.

We are very relieved that this has turned out to be a false alarm, but we obviously had to treat it seriously and act appropriately

A total of 539 people had been on board the Safe Scandinavia - which is an accommodation installation attached by a bridge to an oil rig in the Britannia field.

Britannia Operator Ltd said in a statement the Britannia platform would remain shut down, but normal operations would be restarted as soon as possible.

The statement added: "The downman occurred following allegations by a worker on the Safe Scandinavia that there was a possible suspicious device on the flotel."

"A thorough search of the Safe Scandinavia has revealed nothing suspicious and it has now been deemed safe for workers to return to normal operations.

"The 161 workers who had been earlier flown to the neighbouring Alba and Armada platforms are now returning to the Safe Scandinavia."

The statement added that all those involved in the incident were safe and unhurt and the installations were secure.

Grampian Police are now on their way to the field to investigate the incident but said they did not consider it to be related to terrorism.

Kathy McGill, Britannia Operator Ltd's managing director, said, "We are very relieved that this has turned out to be a false alarm, but we obviously had to treat it seriously and act appropriately to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our people."

'Established procedures'

The company said the platform remains shut down but normal operations would be restarted as soon as possible.

The accommodation platform is 130 miles off the Aberdeen coast.
Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill was being kept informed about the operation.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "A Scottish Government civil contingencies official is based in the Grampian Police control room, and the justice secretary is being regularly kept appraised of developments.

"There are well established procedures for dealing with incidents in the North Sea, and these are operating efficiently and effectively."

Source BBC

2008-02-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

World Oil News!

From Alba Oil and Gas Community!

OPEC - "Freezes oil production"

Press Release, Vienna, Austria - 1st February 2008The 147th (Extraordinary) Meeting of the Conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was held at the OPEC Headquarters in Vienna on 1 February 2008, under the Chairmanship of its President, HE Dr Chakib Khelil, Minister of Energy and Mines of Algeria and Head of its Delegation, in order to review recent developments in world oil markets.Prior to commencing the business of the day, the Conference extended a very warm welcome to HE Dr Galo Chiriboga Zambrano, Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Ecuador, who was attending a Meeting of the Conference as Head of his Country’s Delegation for the first time.

The Conference extended its condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Indonesia on the demise of His Excellency Muhammad Soeharto, former President of the Republic.

The Conference then reviewed oil market developments since its Meeting in Abu Dhabi in December 2007, as well as short-term prospects. It observed that OPEC production decisions had ensured that the market remained well supplied throughout 2007. It also noted that the first half of 2008 was likely to witness a crude inventory build, and supply/demand forecasts indicate that commercial oil stocks are in line with the seasonal trend and are expected to remain within their five-year average during the traditionally lower-demand season in 2008. In view of the current situation, coupled with the projected economic slow-down, the Conference agreed that current OPEC production is sufficient to meet expected demand for the first quarter of the year.

At the same time, however, the Conference noted that the significant uncertainties associated with the projected downturn in the global economy called for vigilant attention to their impact on key market fundamentals until its next Meeting on 5 March 2008. The Conference reiterated the Organization’s determination to take every measure deemed necessary to keep the market stable.

The Conference expressed its appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Austria and the authorities of the City of Vienna for their warm hospitality and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.

OPEC President speaks to Euro News!

"Former Indonesian President Suharto dies"

Irish Oil - TV panel discussion!