Alaska
ConocoPhillips Alaska has implemented an Incident Management Team (IMT) response in Anchorage and field
locations to respond to the COVID-19 threat. The IMT has developed plans to serve our identified priorities, which
are: protect the health and wellbeing of our workforce and their families; help mitigate the spread of the virus;
and safely run our business.
Below is a summary of our actions as of March 28, 2020, to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Alaska and
the North Slope. This is a dynamic plan and is subject to change.
1. Safe holding guidelines for ConocoPhillips North Slope workforce (including contractor employees):
Following is the quarantine or safe-holding plan for North Slope personnel based on guidelines from the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the State of Alaska (SOA).
- Background: To comply with CDC and SOA Health Mandate #4, ConocoPhillips on March 18 asked all
ConocoPhillips employees and contractors to extend their shifts two weeks and minimized all travel to
the North Slope. Those who could not extend their stay were allowed to leave. On a case-by-case basis,
key personnel were permitted to travel to the North Slope if they met the self-quarantine requirements
outlined below. - Requirements for those residing outside Alaska: Personnel will receive notice from their supervisors if
they are needed for work on the North Slope. Upon arrival in Anchorage, personnel must make
arrangements to satisfy the requirements for self-isolation. - Self-isolation/quarantine requirements for those traveling to ConocoPhillips operations: Based on
CDC and SOA guidance, personnel must self-isolate in Alaska for 14 days prior to going to ConocoPhillips
North Slope operations. In addition, they must:- Comply with State of Alaska Health Mandate #4 and applicable CDC guidelines while in quarantine (https://gov.alaska.gov/home/covid19-healthmandates/).
- Have not come into contact with a suspected COVID-19 case in the last 14 days.
- Have not developed COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath).Self-isolation in either a hotel or private residence is acceptable as long as the CDC and SOA guidelines described above are followed.
- After isolation requirements: Throughout the 14-day period, personnel must continue to stay in contact with their supervisor and report any potential symptoms of COVID-19. Supervisor clearance will need to be provided prior to traveling to the Slope. Starting March 31, personnel traveling on ConocoPhillips aircraft will board the aircraft at ConocoPhillips’ hangar at Ted Stevens International Airport to minimize exposure to non-quarantined individuals.
- Critical infrastructure worker travel letter: ConocoPhillips has distributed an “authorization to travel” letter for critical energy industry employees to ConocoPhillips employees and has encouraged contractors to issue similar letters to their critical workers. This letter does not exempt critical workers from the self-isolation requirements outlined above.
- Response to a COVID-19 case: ConocoPhillips is following a centralized U.S. reporting process and has developed a detailed internal plan to quickly respond to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. Medevac plans are also in place in the event a North Slope worker becomes critically ill.
2. Contractor expectations: Our expectations for contractor compliance with the plan outlined above have been sent to nearly 700 supplier companies. It is required that contractors establish an assurance mechanism to comply with these requirements and the requirements of the CDC and SOA Mandate #4 as well as any future guidance or mandates. Contractors are accountable for ensuring their employees follow the above requirements.
3. Anchorage based employees and contractors: All non-critical ConocoPhillips and contractor employees are directed to work from home.
4. Medical screening in Anchorage for travelers to the North Slope on ConocoPhillips aircraft: All personnel
boarding ConocoPhillips aircraft departing to the North Slope will be asked medical screening questions (see flowchart) that are intended to identify and deny boarding to anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms; anyone who has been in contact with someone suspected of having the coronavirus; or anyone who has traveled outside of Alaska in the last 14 days. Temperature checks will be administered prior to boarding for passengers who have passed the screening questions.
5. Health screening in Deadhorse for travelers entering ConocoPhillips’ operations via road: Health screening of travelers entering ConocoPhillips’ operations via the road system is the same as for those arriving by aircraft and will be performed in Deadhorse. Screening questions will be asked, and a temperature check will be required for all vehicle occupants traveling from Deadhorse to ConocoPhillips’ North Slope locations. Those who pass the screening process will be issued a wrist band or health card valid for that calendar day. At the Milne Point and Prudhoe check stations, security staff will require a valid wristband or health card before personnel can pass beyond the check point. A health screening check at the Milne Point check station will be administered for those without a valid health card or wrist band showing the current calendar day. If personnel leave the field and wish to return the next calendar day, they must undergo another health screening.