Kidnappers of oil workers off Nigeria seek talks

OSLO, June 2 (Reuters) Kidnappers of eight foreign nationals from an oil rig off Nigeria want to negotiate, a spokeswoman for the rig owner today said.

Six Britons, one Canadian and one US citizen were abducted from the Bulford Dolphin oil rig about 40 miles (64 km) off the coast of southern Nigeria overnight.

''The group that are holding the eight men are seeking negotiations with the local representative of the client company,'' spokeswoman Sheena Wallace for British-based Dolphin Drilling Ltd told Reuters.

She said she did not know who the kidnappers were. ''All I know is that they are seeking negotiations.'' Wallace said there were 84 crew on the rig at the time of the attack, and that the others were safe and still aboard.

Dolphin Drilling is a subsidiary of Oslo-listed Fred. Olsen Energy ASA. The rig is on lease to Nigerian Peak Petroleum.

REUTERS DKS ND1710