Shell to start pre-trip tests

Shell is to test North Sea workers for Covid-19 before they go offshore. The company confirmed it started preparations to introduce pre-mobilisation testing earlier this month as “additional protection” for the workforce.

The move, expected to be implemented in the coming weeks, follows an outbreak of Covid- 19 earlier this month on board the Brent Charlie platform, 115 miles north-east of Lerwick.

The first suspected case was confirmed on October 7. A subsequent 13 workers were flown off the platform, four as they had possible symptoms and nine as a precaution.

Others who left Brent Charlie as part of a crew change were later identified as contacts of those with possible signs of the virus.

Of the total number of workers flown off the rig since the first suspected case on October 7, either as precautionary removal or normal crew rotation, four went on to test positive.

It was confirmed on October 13 more than a dozen workers had been removed from the Nelson platform after a colleague tested positive for Covid-19. The next day it was revealed demobilisation of crew members took place on two separate occasions on the Gannet Alpha installation over fears of an outbreak.

Recent figures from Oil and Gas UK show that, for the week starting October 12, the UK North Sea had its highest weekly spike in offshore “Category B” cases since the UK went into lockdown back in March.

Shell has now identified an NHS accredited private facility to test crew before they head offshore. A Shell spokeswoman said: “With the rise in infection rates across the UK we are working to manage the impact on our teams and operations through good hygiene, social distancing, pre-mobilisation screening and, where an individual exhibits symptoms, isolation at the facility before safe transportation to their homes.

“In addition, we trace contacts of any suspected case on our platforms and ensure they also get home safely to self-isolate. Earlier this month, we started preparing to introduce premobilisation testing for Covid-19 as an additional protection for all offshore workers on our platforms.

“We always listen to any concerns from our teams and take appropriate action. Particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, this has been vital.”

SAFETY: Shell is starting pre-mobilisation Covid-19 testing to protect offshore workers.