BREAKING: Equinor confirms coronavirus case on North sea platform

11/03/2020
Martin Linge platform

OIL giant Equinor has a confirmed case of coronavirus on one of its assets in the Norwegian section of the North Sea.

The Norwegian firm said today that one worker tested positive for the virus on its Martin Linge platform.

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The worker is not “seriously ill”, Equinor said.

It added that it is “in dialogue” with the Norwegian health authorities about further measures.

The infected person has been in isolation in their cabin since March 9.

An Equinor spokesperson said:  “The person arrived at the field just before noon on 4 March.

“The person had recently been to Austria.  When Austria was listed as a high-risk destination, the person was quarantined onboard and a test was conducted.

“Tests have been conducted on two further persons at the field, whom have also visited high-risk destinations.  The results of these tests are not yet available.”

Equinor said it has not yet been decided when the person will be brought onshore.

Measures to prevent further contamination for offshore installations have been introduced and Equinor added there are no “additional persons with symptoms on board.”

The spokesperson added:  “The activity on the field will be reduced today. Personnel remains at the installations they are already located on. Equinor is continuously evaluating further measures.”

The Martin Linge field is currently under construction and is planned to start production at the end of 2020.

There are currently 776 persons offshore, working on the project and spread across three installations.

 

 

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