SGS, Weatherford in blame game over missing nuclear material
zurich/baghdad — Swiss inspections group SGS and US group Weatherford International Plc traded recriminations on Thursday, both denying responsibility for the disappearance last year of radioactive material used to test pipes at an oil field in southern Iraq.
SGS said in a statement that the equipment and material, when not in use, had been stored in a “secured bunker” provided by Weatherford, which it said was the “main contractor” and had hired its Turkish unit to perform the tests.
“The disappearance of the equipment occurred while the equipment was stored in the Weatherford bunker,” it said, adding the loss was discovered on November 3.
Weatherford said on Thursday it holds no responsibility or liability in relation to the issue and had answered all inquiries raised by Iraqi
The disappearance of the equipment occurred while the equipment was stored in the Weatherford bunker
SGS statement
and US authorities to their satisfaction. “SGS Supervise Gozetme Etud Control had sole control and access to the material and bunker,” it said in a statement, referring to the Turkish unit of SGS.
Yet SGS said its staff required Weatherford’s prior written approval to access the site.
“The site where these operations are conducted is fully secured and guarded by security guards under the responsibility of the owner of the site. SGS does not assume any responsibility for the site security
SGS Supervise Gozetme Etud Control had sole control and access to the material and bunker
Weatherford statement
and does not control accesses,” SGS said, adding that many contractors used the site. Its Turkish business immediately notified Iraqi authorities and cooperated fully with the investigation, it said.
SGS added that it has no contractual relation with Iraq-based security company Ta’az, which it said controlled the site and employed expatriate staff.
SGS said the radioactive content of the stolen device was most likely very weak, putting its strength at nine curies.