PETRONAS gave an assurance today that workers at the Yetagun oil rig, off the coast of Myanmar, are safe.

Group chief executive officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz said Petronas is in constant communication with the workers, who were stranded after Myanmar went through a coup on February 1.

“We are in constant communication with our own team plus the contractors we have engaged this time. They are all safe,” he said at a press conference today.

“We have ensured continuous food supply, and the availability of water.”

Tengku Muhammad Taufik said Covid-19 precautions have also been enforced.

The coup in Myanmar has not affected Petronas’ operations as the company continues to operate normally at this juncture, he said.

Mingguan Malaysia reported earlier this month that some 200 workers aboard the oil rig in the Andaman Sea were stranded after they lost contact with ground control following the coup.

The Malay-language weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia reported that 200 workers aboard the Yetagun oil rig are stranded and have had no contact with the Malaysian embassy nor their employers.

Petronas said on February 7 that it was ensuring the safety of about 155 workers of its contractor on barge to the Yetagun oil rig.

It added that it is in close contact with the team and working closely with the contractor in overseeing the well-being of the workers, besides ensuring continuous supply of essentials, including food, drinking water and fuel.

“Another 36 workers under the contractor and two Petronas employees were already transported to nearby hotels safely for onshore rest and recovery while observing Covid-19 quarantine requirements,” it said.

Petronas said it is working closely with the contractor, the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar, Wisma Putra (Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry) and all authorities in managing this matter. – February 26, 2021.