Modec FPSO Workers Serving Petrobras Test Positive for Coronavirus

Workers at Petrobras on a floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) were infected with Covid-19, after clinical tests confirmed this week. The infection occurred on the production platform operated by Modec in the Santos Basin, in the pre-salt region. The Japanese company has not yet disclosed the exact number of infected workers, but according to sources from O GLOBO, there are about 13 people.

So far, Modec has stated that only this unit of the company (City of Santos) has tested positive, and the individuals were immediately disembarked to receive appropriate outpatient care. This platform vessel servicing Petrobras is capable of processing 35,000 barrels of oil daily and 10 million m³ of gas.

Last week, the Capixaba platform, operated by SBM Offshore on behalf of Petrobras, also had 34 oil workers infected with the new coronavirus following tests on 53 crew members.

• It is worth noting that the Dutch SBM Offshore platform also faced the same issue.

ANP (National Agency of Petroleum) preferred not to provide more detailed information about these new cases in units servicing Petrobras, only stating that there are 47 confirmed cases so far and two offshore units, which occurred on the 9th and 10th of this month. The agency also emphasized that both platforms had their production halted for disinfection of the facilities.

In a statement, Modec explained that when the first case of contamination was confirmed, all crew members were tested and immediately disembarked, as were the people who had been in contact with them. The Japanese company mobilized a medical team to monitor the oil workers.

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Modec also stated that it decided to suspend production at the unit, following its safety protocols, and that it will resume activities at the platform after cleaning and disinfection are completed. Finally, the company stated in a note that, since the beginning of the pandemic, it has implemented a series of actions to reduce worker exposure and maintain operations safely on its vessels, with “strict access control to platforms operating in Brazil.”

It is important to note that the contamination occurred before the prevention campaigns began in March. Only on the 7th of last month did rapid tests start being conducted before the workers boarded.

Petrobras Actions to Curb Contamination

Petrobras has been monitoring all preventive actions that its service providers have been taking on the units, including the platform charters. Any irregular respiratory symptoms presented by their employees are immediately assessed and tested for possible infections. Those residing in the disembarkation region are sent home.