Offshore drilling. Oil rig. The federal government has directed oil and gas companies to reduce the workforce on their offshore platforms in view of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Director, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu, said in a circular in Abuja that only staff on essential duties should be nominated and permitted to travel to offshore and other remote locations. The circular was issued just as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the DPR at the weekend disagreed over the country’s total stock of petrol, as fears continue to grow over the sustainability of the current nationwide supply of the product. “All travels to and from offshore/remote locations shall strictly be in line with the guidelines and procedure for travel to offshore/swamp location and obtainment of offshore safety Permit 2019,” it stated, adding: “Non-essential staff currently at offshore/remote locations should be withdrawn with immediate […]