PENGASSAN vs Schlumberger’s Onesubsea strike cripples operations

– Labour Ministry intervention ends in deadlock

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The strike action by workers of Cameron/Onesubsea Offshore System Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Schlumberger, has entered its second day, crippling operations at the company’s Onne facility, after a conciliation meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Port Harcourt ended in a deadlock on Wednesday.

The industrial dispute, which PENGASSAN said was triggered by unfair labour practices and stalled 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, negotiations, has raised concerns about potential disruptions to Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas supply chain.

In a directive issued commenced the strike, Comrade Sere Nwikiabeh, PENGASSAN Assistant General Secretary, Port Harcourt Zone, accused Cameron/Onesubsea of rebuffing genuine efforts to resolve the matter.

“We have exhausted all avenues of negotiation and dialogue, and it has become clear that the Management is not willing to engage with us in good faith. In light of this, we have decided to take a more decisive action to protect and defend our members’ rights,” the directive read.

The union instructed its members to down tools beginning 12:00am Tuesday, September 9, 2025, declaring that the strike would continue until their demands are met.

“The Association hereby directs its members at the Cameron/Onesubsea Branch to embark on a Strike Action, effective 12:00am, September 9, 2025 until our demands are met. We are confident that with your solidarity and support, we will be able to achieve our objective and secure the respect that we deserve,” the statement added.

As the strike enters its second day, the Labour Ministry summoned both parties to an urgent conciliation meeting at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt, stressing the need for “utmost cooperation of the parties” to resolve the dispute.

However, after hours of deliberations, no breakthrough was reached.

Confirming the outcome, PENGASSAN Chairman, Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade George Nwoko, told SweetCrude Reports: “The meeting has ended in deadlock. Management was not ready to shift ground. Our members will remain on strike until there is a fair resolution.”

The directive to strike was also copied to key authorities including the President of PENGASSAN, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, and the Director of DSS.

Cameron/Onesubsea, which provides subsea systems, flow equipment, and offshore technology solutions, is regarded as a critical service provider to Nigeria’s offshore production activities. Its prolonged shutdown could delay projects and disrupt supply contracts for upstream operators in the Niger Delta.

At press time, efforts to get a response from the company’s management were unsuccessful.

The development underscores the growing wave of labour unrest in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where unions are pressing harder against multinational service companies over restructuring, cost-cutting, and stalled labour agreements.