THE offshore sector’s representative body, Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) is hosting a series of webinars for member companies to learn more about the business support available to them during the coronavirus crisis.
OGUK’s move comes two days after oil and gas operator Taqa confirmed a further seven suspected cases of Covid-19 on a North Sea platform, taking its total on two installations to 20.
Matt Abraham, OGUK’s supply chain director, said: “Many companies in our industry, especially in the supply chain, are still financially fragile after the previous downturn so the UK Government’s commitment to supporting both workers and companies is very welcome.
“It’s now crucial for us to ensure these companies understand how they can effectively access the money they need to maintain their cash flow through these challenging times.”
Taqa said seven individuals had reported mild symptoms to a medic on its North Cormorant platform and went into self-isolation before being airlifted off by helicopter.
Workers who were known to have come into contact with them also self-isolated before being lifted off the installation.
The company last month confirmed more than a dozen suspected cases of Covid-19 across two of its offshore assets.
A Taqa spokesperson said: “Taqa can confirm that it is responding to seven suspected cases of Covid-19 on its North Cormorant platform ... Our main priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of everyone on board and we have clear procedures in place for handling suspected cases of Covid-19.
“We are working with the relevant authorities and agencies to assess and respond to the situation in line with UK Government and Health Protection Scotland guidelines.
“Taqa has robust business continuity plans in place to ensure the safe and sustainable continuation of our operations.”
Four days ago, a worker who was airlifted from another North Sea platform also tested positive for the virus.
According to Teekay, which owns the Hummingbird Spirit floating production, storage and offloading vessel, the person was a third-party contractor on the vessel, which was stationed on Spirit Energy’s Chestnut field in the central North Sea.
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here