Covid delays raise fears over project delivery

Impact of virus-related restrictions on work schedules appears to be increasing

The oil and gas production sector’s ability to work around challenges created by precautions against the spread of coronavirus has been impressive thus far, with most companies reporting little or no material impact on their physical operations from the changed work conditions. But, just as risks seem to be growing of further disruption heading into the northern hemisphere winter, cracks in this narrative are beginning to emerge. Hit by delays Norway’s Equinor admits that a number of its projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) are facing both increasing costs and delays in startup. And it says the main driver is Covid-19, alongside a weaker Norwegian krone on the costs side. “2020