Gunfight at the WG Corral

The following is an actual accident/incident investigation report from the land seismic division of the company I work for. Our desert operations appear to be a little more hazardous than our offshore operations.

"At approximately 19:00 June 9th a Bedouin approached our Saudi National vibrator pusher to complain about spread being laid in his tent (later reported that the spread had been dragged towards the tent by the Bedouin himself) In the ensuing discussion, the Bedouin became increasingly agitated and gathered a metal bar from his vehicle, a scuffle broke out, during which the Bedouin was cut on the head with the metal bar he was attempting to hit the vibe pusher with. The situation was calmed down by the Egyptian vibrator technician, treatment for the cut was offered but refused and the Bedouin left the scene. Police arrived at midnight interviewed the vibe pusher and asked him to report the following day to the police station to make a statement.

At 2am whilst operations were continuing a dark GMC van arrived at the vibrators containing 8 people armed with automatic weapons. They proceeded to chase a WG light vehicle containing the vibe pusher and the vibe technician, firing their weapons and puncturing all 4 tyres and putting several shots into the bodywork of the vehicle. The chase lasted approximately 20 minutes when eventually the WG vehicle made it into an area of sand dunes where the chasing van could not go. The vibe pusher and vibe tech abandoned the vehicle and hid in the sand dunes. The police were called immediately after this started and arrived on scene with 6 vehicles at 3 am. A full police investigation is underway including a search for the gunman. Later unconfirmed reports are the Bedouin has been apprehended and is in custody of local police."

For your information, a WG seismic crew sets out an array of sensors like microphones and then sets off a charge or some other loud noise or thump making device at a known location to collect data and determine the geological structure of that area, in the search for oil. A Bedouin is sort of like an old time cowboy, only more territorial it seems. They are often seen driving old red pick-up trucks either with a camel kneeling in the back (taking him for a ride?) or stuffed with sheep or goats going to market. Whenever you have an Egyptian mediating, and I don't mean any disrespect here, you're just asking for trouble. A "vibrator pusher" is the crew boss, honest.

(by Marc Adami, Guest Columnist)