Gunmen attacked a support vessel to an Italian-operated oil-production facility off the coast of Nigeria on Friday, industry and security sources said.
The attackers overpowered the vessel shortly before dawn and used it to attempt to board the Mystras production facility, operated by Saipem and SBM Offshore, forcing the facility to halt production of about 50 000 barrels per day.
”A Saipem vessel, Misva, was attacked by suspected sea pirates,” a security source said, asking not to be named.
The Misva was anchored next to the Mystras production vessel, and the gunmen were trying to use the hijacked vessel to gain access to the main facility.
The Nigerian Navy dispatched a vessel to the area, located south of the Bonny Island oil and gas export complex, industry sources added. — Reuters