The operator of the offshore Bonga oil field in Nigeria, Shell, is said to have evacuated workers from the field due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Nigeria also expressed concerns on the growing numbers of coronavirus cases among workers at offshore and remote oil locations due to workers not adhering to the laid down guidelines.

Nigeria’s upstream regulator, DPR, while not mentioning the name of the affected fields, fears that it might disrupt the country’s oil production.

In a statement by the Department, it said, “Consequently…no personnel (including government authorities) shall be permitted to embark to offshore/remote locations in the oil and gas industry without being fully subjected to established protocols.

“Furthermore, all operators are to ensure that evidence of compliance with the protocols by personnel travelling to offshore/remote locations is duly documented.”

Offshore production accounts for over 60% of the country’s 2.10 million – 2.20 million barrels per day crude and condensate output.

According to Shell’s local subsidiary, Nigeria Exploration and Production Co, the Bonga FPSO 225,00 barrels per day producer has been partially shut since May for repairs and maintenance, which was expected to last until July. Shell is said to have postponed the routine maintenance at the field in March and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is rumoured that the workers contracted the virus at the Onne Port in Rivers State, Nigeria. One of the major players in the banking industry in Nigeria, Access Bank, also announced the closure of its branch at Onne Port due to the death of one of its employees on 17^th June after contracting the virus. This raises concerns that sources might be correct.

S&P Global Report tried to reach out to Shell but there was no comment from the company. This comes after the country is expected to have submitted its OPEC+ cut compliance plan to the OPEC secretariat last Monday and expected to fully comply with its quota by mid-July.