NOTICE

To:     All Oil & Gas Industry Operators All Industry Service Providers

RE: MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK – UPDATE 6

RECOMMENDATION FOR USE OF ANTIGEN-RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR COVID-19 TRIAGE OF OFF-SHORE WORKERS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Please  be  informed  that  the  World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  has  granted  Emergency  Use Authorization (EUA) for two Antigen based Rapid Diagnostic Tests (Ag-RDTs) that is, SD Biosensor and Abbott with >80% sensitivity and >97% specificity and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has subsequently approved their use in Nigeria as contained in the Guidance for the Use of Approved Covid-19 Ag-RDTs released in January, 2021.

Consequently, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is by this Circular, advising Operators and Service Providers to commence the use of these approved Ag-RDTs with the aim of addressing the cost implications and psychological impacts on staff due to the current practice of mandatory 7- 10 days isolation to and from offshore/remote locations. Ag-RDTs can typically be conducted within a short turnaround time of 10 – 30 minutes by medical personnel with the requisite training.

In line with the above mentioned NCDC Guidelines, you are to note as follows:

• All Ag-RDTs positive results should be interpreted as positive results: Counselling, isolation and national case management guidelines should be adhered
• For asymptomatic case or a high-risk contact who tests negative on Ag-RDT, a PCR confirmation test becomes mandatory to rule out COVID-19.

Furthermore, all Operators and Service Providers are to comply with the NCDC Guidelines in the use of COVID-19 testing self-reporting case investigation form (CIF) as well as submit monthly returns of summary of test results to the Department for the monitoring of industry performance in this regard.

Whilst hoping for the imminent end of this global pandemic and early return to normal operations, please be rest assured that DPR will continue to support your business and facilitate continuity of operations in overriding national interest.

Signed,

Management.
22^nd March 2021