[size=15pt]Shell declares force majeure[/size]
Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Lagos with Agency Reports 21.09.2008

Royal Dutch Shell was forced to declare another force majeure on Saturday on crude oil shipments from Nigeria sequel to incessant attacks on its facilities in the Niger delta region.

A force majeure is a clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as war, strike or riot prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.


Shell had last week extended a force majeure on Bonny oil exports from Nigeria following a militant attack in late July.


It said it declared the second force majeure on Bonny Light shipments following further attacks by militants this past week.


The recent declaration of force majeure might be a confirmation of attack claims on Shell facilities by Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) which on Saturday said it had destroyed a key pipeline run by Royal Dutch Shell in the sixth attack in six days.


Shell has refused to make comments on the attack claims by the militants.

source:http://www.tribune.com.ng/21092008/news/news4.html

The Nigerian army claim to have killed several militants, arrested many more , repelled attacks , without any casualty recorded . The militants meanwhile, claim to have killed several soldiers, took hostages, sabotage oil installations and admit to some casualties. Shell on the other hand, have evacuated some of their staff and declares force majeure:

I wonder where the truth lies, what is really happening in Niger delta?