Oil and gas giant BP is set to open a new Dyce-based Covid-19 testing facility to halt the spread of the virus to its North Sea assets.
The testing programme, which will be based within a hotel near Aberdeen airport, will see workers receive pre-mobilisation screening before they are deployed offshore.
It is understood this will be rolled out to cover all BP staff and contractors travelling to its platforms offshore UK.
BP operates the Clair and Foinaven fields and Schiehallion area, all west of Shetland, and the Etap and Andrew assets in the central North Sea.
The firm’s North Sea business supports around 1,175 employees.
A spokesman for BP said: “BP has introduced a range of measures designed to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and contractors mobilising offshore, including robust safe passage travel and accommodation arrangements and pre-mobilisation screening.
“We are now rolling out an onshore testing programme that will provide an additional layer of protection for our critical workforce and help reduce the risk of the virus spreading to our offshore populations.
“We would like to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and professionalism shown by our offshore teams at this challenging time.”
A worker recently tested positive for Covid-19 in hospital after being airlifted from BP’s Clair Ridge platform.
