Energy / Access restricted to oil terminal
Phased reduction in staff and no visitors allowed on site
OIL and gas company EnQuest is reducing access to its Sullom Voe Terminal as part of measures to slow down the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The company confirmed that as of today (16 March) a number of precautionary measures have come into effect such as:-
- Non-essential personnel (staff and contractors) are requested to work from home;
- Temperature checks will be carried out on those personnel entering the site;
- No visitors will be permitted to enter the site;
- Planned vendor visits will be re-scheduled;
- Group events and gatherings will be cancelled.
A terminal spokesperson said: “As a prudent operator focussed on continued safe operations, EnQuest PLC is implementing a phased reduction in the number of personnel at the terminal to limit the spread of the virus while maintaining plant availability.
“We are reviewing the work activity on-site daily and are postponing non-essential work, where necessary.
“Our actions are in line with industry protocols to ensure hygiene levels can be maintained and that safety critical operations are protected.”
The operator of Shetland Gas Plant, meanwhile, said it is “working to reduce the risk of infection spreading to our work force and planning our reaction in case there are suspected cases on site”.
A spokesperson for operator Total said: “Total is following advice from the UK and Scottish governments and bodies such as Public Health Scotland. We are working to reduce the risk of infection spreading to our work force and planning our reaction in case there are suspected cases on site.
“We are in regular contact with authorities in Shetland to trace anyone who may have Covid-19 on the island, or who may have come into contact with someone who does. Total is also cooperating with other energy companies through our industry association Oil & Gas UK to share information and approaches to the situation as it develops. Our approach is to protect the health and safety of our workforce.”
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