Offshore staff
MONACO – SBM Offshore has activated business continuity protocols at its shore bases and for offshore operations in response to the spread of COVID-19.
To keep offshore operations safe and stable, only essential maintenance is authorized. Crew changes have become more problematic, the company added, as travel restrictions often apply in and out of countries where it has operations or where crew members are located.
Crew rotations for offshore staff have been extended while their scheduled replacements are in self-quarantine at monitored facilities onshore.
In the last few days, SBM Offshore has transported some crew members with symptoms from one FPSO back to shore, and tests have now confirmed a number of positive COVID-19 cases.
The company is reviewing the situation with the client and the local authorities.
As for the company’s construction activities in various parts of the world, it has put in place additional measures and protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of staff and contractors at the yards.
Construction yards in China re-opened in February and are now said to be close to planned capacity. In Singapore and Dubai, the yards remained open until the end of March, but since last week, the authorities suspended activities at the Singapore site for a fortnight, and this mean delays to project execution cannot be avoided.
The company is working with clients and business partners to manage the situation, adjust execution planning and to formulate mitigation plans where required.
To preserve liquidity and cash, most oil companies are taking steps to reduce and defer expenditure across all their business segments. SBM Offshore is assessing how it can assist clients in this process, creating a solution which it hopes is fair to all parties.
04/09/2020
