No direct warning received before militants surrounded oil field

The Maltese-registered Austrian company that employs nine foreign workers abducted by “IS-linked” militants says it had received no warning or recommendation to evacuate by the Libyan National Oil Corporation before the camp was surrounded by, “a large number of vehicles belonging to an unknown armed group.”

In a press release issued on Wednesday, Value Added Oil Services Ltd (VAOS) said five armed men entered the Ghani camp and assembled all occupants before loading them onto vehicles and departing. It reiterated that no company employees were physically harmed during the episode but made no reference to reports that eight Libyan security guards had been beheaded during the attack.

VAOS referred to the Ghani camp as a, “supposedly secure camp” within a wider protected zone guarded by armed Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG). The company said it had taken a decision at the end of February 2015 to reduce manning to a skeleton crew due to the client halting production and the prevailing security situation. Non-essential staff were transferred to VAOS’ Zella site, approximately 90 minutes by car away, indefinitely until production resumes, which in itself would signify that the security situation would have greatly improved. The normal occupancy of Ghani sits at 62 employees and this was reduced to just 14 – 11 expatriates and 3 local Libyans.

“In light of the information provided by our security provider and local contacts, VAOS had or- dered the evacuation of both Ghani and Zella sites early in the afternoon on Friday 6 March. Sadly for those in Ghani, they were surrounded and abducted by armed militia before they could evacuate. The larger evacuation of the Zella site, involving 51 expats, took place successfully with individuals now secured on one of our other camps waiting evacuation.”

The company explained that it has an established security manager and also makes use of an external security provider for both physical security and intelligence. Company staff move- ments are restricted and employees are essentially restricted to the camp when not at work. It also carries out regular security training.

VAOS also insisted that its workers were given the option to return home at any time. It made travel arrangements for those who wished to leave and fully supports those who chose to stay.

“VAOS can categorically confirm that no written or verbal warning was received from the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) directly regarding any recommendations to evacuate. There is regular correspondence between clients and VAOS regarding production and occasionally notification that sites might be closed – under these circumstances it is common practice for VAOS to relocate staff to safe sites.”

The company confirmed two days ago that nine foreign workers had been abducted by what have been described by the Austrian and Libyan authorities as Islamic State-linked militants. The abducted workers are four Filipinos, 2 Bangladeshi, 1 Austrian, 1 Czech and 1 Ghanaian. All next of kin have been informed.

The company said it is closely liaising with the Austrian Foreign Affairs Ministry and, being a Maltese-registered firm, has also engaged with the Malta Police Force.

On Monday, a Libyan military official claimed that eight Libyan security guards were beheaded before the nine foreign workers were abducted. He also claimed that an oil worker died of a heart attack after witnessing the beheadings. The report has so far not been confirmed.

In light of the information provided by our security provider and local contacts, VAOS had ordered the evacuation of both Ghani and Zella sites early in the afternoon on Friday 6 March