This white paper discusses the threat that infectious diseases pose to control centers within the oil and gas industry.

Drawing from examples within the COVID-19 pandemic, we explore the most likely effects of infectious disease contamination and spread throughout a control center environment. The white paper also provides best practices for responding to infectious diseases to limit potential contamination and community spread among personnel.

The practices are discussed in degrees, providing operators with options in how they implement such practices. Required practices are outlined as being necessary for all control centers regardless of the likelihood of contamination, while advanced implementation improves operators’ chances of reducing control center contamination.

Optimal implementation provides the strongest opportunities to avoid contamination via the strictest protocols. The latter third of the paper provides considerations and guidance on how operators can update their business continuity plans to reflect infectious disease concerns in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The paper provides sections that need to be addressed in such plans along with discussion points for the development of relevant processes and procedures.