ONGC suspends operations at 2 rigs in Arabian Sea after corona positive cases, tightens safety norms.

State-owned ONGC has temporarily suspended operations at two drilling rigs in the Arabian Sea after 54 employees tested positive for coronavirus and one died but the oil and gas production has not been impacted. Operations at two rigs operating in the firm’s prime Mumbai High and Bassein fields off the west coast were temporarily suspended after the company’s testing rigour detected coronavirus positive cases, officials said.

As many as 54 offshore employees tested positive for coronavirus and one died.

The suspension of operations at the drilling rig has not impacted production and the company continues to produce 1,70,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and 12 metric million standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) of gas from Mumbai High and 60,000 bpd oil and 32 mmscmd gas from Bassein.

Mumbai High and Bassein are India’s top oil and gas producing fields, accounting for almost a two-third of the country’s production.

“Our operations are not affected. Production levels are being maintained; all precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of employees,” Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) said in a statement when reached for comments.

Any employee showing symptoms of illness is brought to the base, tested and provided medical attention.

ET