Petroleum Africa
Find us on: 
Friday, July 19, 2013
Oil majors BP and Statoil are still not ready to send their workers back out into the Algerian desert due to security concerns following the deadly attack and subsequent hostage crisis at the In Amenas gas facility in January. The two firms are still wrangling with the government over security in the country.
While Algeria has said security has been increased and it is going to locate military bases near oil and gas installations this is still not enough for the two firms who lost a number of employees in the incident. BP and Statoil are asking for ironclad assurances from the government before workers return.
“The return of Statoil employees is dependent on the necessary security measures being in place,” Statoil spokesman Baard Glad Pedersen said.
“We have a good cooperative relationship with the Algerian authorities. They have themselves initiated several changes to the security around our sites. We are in a dialogue with them, together with BP, about how to deepen our discussion.”
BP spokesman Robert Wine said “We’re committed to Algeria, but we need assurance about the security of everyone on site.”
The North African country, while not experiencing the Arab Spring that neighboring countries saw in 2011, has seen its security situation grow troubling over the past year or so as incidents in Libya and Mali have led to undesirables crossing the borders. The situation in Algeria has led to a downslide in investment, that leaves its already stagnating petroleum sector on the verge of crisis.
Algeria for its part believes it has upheld its end of the security situation and wants both BP and Statoil back.
" alt="First LNG Realized at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project">
" alt="United Energy Acquires Western Desert Producer APEX">
" alt="Baker Hughes Announces Major Gas Technology Orders for Venture Global LNG">
" alt="ReconAfrica: Naingopo Results Demonstrate a Working Petroleum System">
" alt="Tullow Highlights 2025 Operational Plans in Ghana">
" alt="TotalEnergies to Supply 1.5 TWh to STMicroelectronics in France Over 15 years">
" alt="Rockhopper Reaches Final Settlement with United on Egypt’s Abu Sennan Concession">
" alt="Oil & Gas Crucial for African Growth: AEC Calls for Industry Support to Defend African Market">
