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Nigerian attack closes oilfield Nigerian attack closes oilfield
(about 1 hour later)
Oil company Royal Dutch Shell says it has temporarily stopped production at its main offshore oilfield in Nigeria, following a militant attack.Oil company Royal Dutch Shell says it has temporarily stopped production at its main offshore oilfield in Nigeria, following a militant attack.
The raid took place overnight on the Bonga oil platform about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of the Niger Delta, the company said.The raid took place overnight on the Bonga oil platform about 120km (75 miles) off the coast of the Niger Delta, the company said.
It is the first attack on the oilfield, which normally produces about 200,000 barrels a day.It is the first attack on the oilfield, which normally produces about 200,000 barrels a day.
Attacks in the inshore Niger Delta have helped drive up world oil prices. Attacks on the inshore Niger Delta have helped drive up world oil prices.
Nigeria's valuable offshore oilfields had always been considered difficult for most militants to attack, the BBC's Alex Last reports from Lagos. Nigeria's valuable offshore oilfields had always been considered difficult for most militants to target, the BBC's Alex Last reports from Lagos.
But for the first time in the early hours, gunmen in boats reached the Bonga installation, Shell's flagship project. But early on Thursday gunmen in boats reached the Bonga installation, Shell's flagship project, for the first time.
A Nigerian navy spokesman confirmed reports that militants had kidnapped a US oil worker from a separate vessel on their way back from the raid.A Nigerian navy spokesman confirmed reports that militants had kidnapped a US oil worker from a separate vessel on their way back from the raid.
The movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) claimed it carried out the attack in an email sent to journalists, and named the American as Captain Jack Stone. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) claimed it carried out the attack in an email sent to journalists, and named the American as Captain Jack Stone.
They said he would be released "in the coming hours".They said he would be released "in the coming hours".
SophisticatedSophisticated
The gunmen failed to get inside the platform, but attacked a key vessel used for production storage and offloading, a Shell spokesman said.The gunmen failed to get inside the platform, but attacked a key vessel used for production storage and offloading, a Shell spokesman said.
Several people were reported to have been injured.Several people were reported to have been injured.
Mend says it is campaigning for a greater share of the region's oil wealth to be kept by local people, but the government says they are criminals motivated by the ransoms they receive from oil companies.Mend says it is campaigning for a greater share of the region's oil wealth to be kept by local people, but the government says they are criminals motivated by the ransoms they receive from oil companies.
The shutdown has cut a tenth of Nigeria's total output in one go.The shutdown has cut a tenth of Nigeria's total output in one go.
This comes on top of a reduction of at least 20% in recent years following inland attacks.This comes on top of a reduction of at least 20% in recent years following inland attacks.
Our correspondent says Bonga was new, expensive and working well despite the difficulties and repeated attacks affecting the company's inshore operations in the Delta.Our correspondent says Bonga was new, expensive and working well despite the difficulties and repeated attacks affecting the company's inshore operations in the Delta.
The militants in the Delta are getting more sophisticated and better equipped and armed, he says.The militants in the Delta are getting more sophisticated and better equipped and armed, he says.
Now they have proven that in terms of distance at least, all of Nigeria's facilities are within their reach.Now they have proven that in terms of distance at least, all of Nigeria's facilities are within their reach.
Amnesties promisedAmnesties promised
Next month, a peace summit organised by the government on the Niger Delta unrest is due to begin in the capital, Abuja.Next month, a peace summit organised by the government on the Niger Delta unrest is due to begin in the capital, Abuja.
The government has promised amnesties to any militants who take part.The government has promised amnesties to any militants who take part.
Mend has refused to attend unless Henry Okah, one of their leaders currently on trial for treason and gun-running, is also granted amnesty.Mend has refused to attend unless Henry Okah, one of their leaders currently on trial for treason and gun-running, is also granted amnesty.
But the government has refused.But the government has refused.
"We want everyone to be there to air their grievances," vice-presidential aide Akilu Indabawa told the BBC's Hausa Service."We want everyone to be there to air their grievances," vice-presidential aide Akilu Indabawa told the BBC's Hausa Service.
"But in Henry Okah's case the issue is in front of a court and the government can't intervene because it respects the rule of law.""But in Henry Okah's case the issue is in front of a court and the government can't intervene because it respects the rule of law."