COVID-19: DPR Asks Oil Companies to Cut Offshore Workforce

• COVID-19: DPR Asks Oil Companies to Cut Offshore Workforce

As Nigeria battles the spread of COVID-19 with strategic lockdowns and social distancing, the Department of Petroleum Resources has asked oil and gas companies operating the country to cut their workforce on offshore platforms.

“All travels to and from offshore/remote locations shall strictly be in line with the guidełines and procedure for travel to offshore/swamp location and obtainment of offshore safety Permit 2019,” the Director, DPR, Mr Sarki Auwalu, stated in a circular.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had claimed six confirmed cases of coronavirus were airlifted from one of the rigs in the country on Thursday, hence why the Department of Petroleum Resources demands that only staff on essential duties should be allowed to travel to offshore/remote locations.

Auwalu said, “Non-essential staff currently at offshore/remote locations should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

“Staff rotation less than 28 days/28 days is hereby temporarily suspended. This implies that staff are required to stay a minimum of 28 days at these locations per rotation.

According to him, Sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the guidelines still apply.

Auwalu said, “Representation by government agencies at offshore/remote locations shall be limited to a maximum of one person per rotation.

“You are to ensure strict compliance with the above while we continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as required.”