Nonessential work on power lines and gas pipes could be put back and extra workers hired
Energy companies have started preparing emergency plans to cope with coronavirus disruption, including the possibility of operating with only a fifth of their usual staff numbers.
The UK’s regional energy networks held talks last week with government ministers, senior officials and the energy regulator over plans to maintain the energy system’s power lines and gas pipes if 80% of their staff are unable to work.
The contingency plans use modelling that includes major storm damage to overhead lines and substations on top of the disruption to staffing as engineers fall sick, self-isolate or stay at home to care for sick family members.
The central energy system operator, National Grid, said it had fully operational backup locations for the control centres that operate the central nervous system of the UK’s energy networks, and added that it was restricting access to its sites to help protect staff from infection.
Several North Sea operators are reducing offshore crews on their UK platforms in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Repsol Sinopec Resources UK, CNOOC, Taqa and Equinor have announced plans to help stop the virus from reaching their offshore operations.
CNOOC has announced plans for a “phased reduction in non-essential activity and personnel offshore” on Buzzard – the UK’s largest-producing oilfield – as well as its Golden Eagle and Scott assets.
RSRUK, which operates 11 assets across the UK, said it is “significantly reducing the number of visitors, vendors and project-related activities” to proactively prevent the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, Taqa, who operates five platforms in the sector, said it is reducing non-essential operations and reviewing manning levels in order to ensure the wellbeing of its workers.