ONGC shuts 2 rigs after spurt in Covid cases

NEW DELHI: A spate of the novel coronavirus infections aboard western offshore installations has forced ONGC to evacuate crew members from two of the four hired rigs and has forced the state-run explorer to put additional checks to prevent contractors from compromising on the company’s stringent protocols to cut down on costs.

Sources said ONGC stopped the operation of ‘Greatship Chitra’ and ordered evacuation after 16 crew members tested positive more than a week ago. ‘Greatship Charu’ was the next to face shutdown, sources added. A large number of cases have also been reported from BHS, Neelam and Bedlam installations.

The outbreak has given rise to the apprehension that contractors may be cutting corners to save on additional cost of testing and quarantine of the relieving crew since these are not covered under the rig contract. “Our employees are compliant. We have started cross-verification of test reports of contractors’ crew and are keeping an eye on their quarantine,” a senior ONGC executive told TOI.