PKRC to be specifically set up for O&G workers
MIRI: A low-risk and treatment quarantine centre (PKRC) would be set up to specifically cater for oil and gas (O&G) workers in view of increasing positive cases detected during sign-on and sign-off, said Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (MDDMC).
Its minister in-charge Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said this after a virtual meeting with O&G companies here yesterday.
“The O&G sector plays a crucial role in stimulating the economy of Miri, and Sarawak as a whole. Though Sarawak is currently in Phase 3 of National Recovery Plan (NRP) that eases the restrictions undr the set standard operating procedure (SOP), the increasing Covid-19 positive cases cannot be overlooked,” he said.
Observation by the committee found there were days when 50 positive cases were detected among O&G workers. Yesterday, 33 positive cases in categories 1 and 2 were found, said Lee.
“To overcome this worrying increase, I have called for this special meeting. Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) proposed an internal prevention SOP specifically for O&G companies. They would be briefed on the guidelines for crew members with positive cases. PKRC and Covid Assessment Centre would be set up at venues of their choice for this purpose.”
The PKRC would accommodate Covid-19 patients under categories 1 and 2. Additionally, O&G companies would also manage and control their offshore workers’ movement, especially those symptomatic and high-risk ones, by using RTK-Antigen self-test kits, as well as through isolation and quarantine. Assessment and detection for positive cases and close contact would also be conducted on all offshore and onshore workers.
Lee, who is state Minister of Transport, said the proposal would be submitted to State Disaster Management Commi ee to further refine the SOP.
The meeting, conducted virtually via Zoom, was a ended by MPM, Petronas Sarawak, Petronas Cari Gali Sdn Bhd, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration (Malaysia) Ltd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros), Dayang Enterprise Sdn Bhd, PTTEP Sarawak Oil Ltd as well as departments and agencies involved in MDDMC.
MPM provides better supervision of upstream assets ranging from foreign investors in planning and conduct exploration, development, production and abandonment activities. It is entrusted to fully manage upstream activities in Malaysia and also serve the contractors’ operations and performance.