Oman’s biggest oil and gas producer to cut staffing on virus

Petroleum Development Oman, the Gulf Arab country’s biggest producer, plans to reduce the number of staff working on its oil and gas projects in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

PDO has started discussions about the cuts with contractors, it said in an emailed statement.

The company will review its projects and expects equipment shortages to affect construction and maintenance as the virus crimps global supply chains, it said.

PDO is 60 per cent owned by the Omani government, with Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total SA and Partex Oil and Gas Group holding the rest.