GeoPark helps its neighbors in Casanare during the COVID-19 emergency - GeoPark
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Casanare, Colombia – GeoPark, a leading oil and gas explorer and producer is working with mayors’ offices and the communities within the municipalities of Tauramena and Villanueva in Casanare province, Colombia, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Since the start of the emergency, GeoPark has coordinated efforts with the authorities of both municipalities in Casanare to provide essential medical equipment in order to stop the spread COVID-19 in the area.

Knowing that the crisis is limiting access to goods and services, GeoPark has further identified the most vulnerable families in the Llanos 34 block and is providing them food supplies. These households include those with mothers as heads of household with children under 18 years old, households with elderly people over 70 years old, and households that include handicapped family members.

Additionally, GeoPark joined forces with companies in the Colombian Petroleum Association to provide protective equipment to medical personnel across the region. In a statement, Governor Salomón Sanabria of Casanare highlighted the importance of the oil industry working together with the regional government to protect the province’s population.

Regarding the COVID-19 crisis initiatives GeoPark is heading, the company’s Social & Environment Director Norma Sánchez said, “In keeping with our mission to be good neighbors, throughout this emergency we have made preparations and acted decisively and in solidarity with Casanare. We support the province and will continue to do so to ensure the well-being of our neighbors.”

Internally, GeoPark has implemented safety, health and hygiene protocols in accordance with the World Health Organization, the Colombian government and municipal health authorities to minimize the possibility of contagion. These measures include:

  • Reducing personnel to the minimum required for operations. All immunocompromised or at-risk personnel have been instructed to remain in their homes since March 15.
  • Extending work shifts during the period of quarantine implemented by the Colombian government, to minimize staff rotation.
  • Systematic measurement of workers’ temperatures using infra-red thermometers to avoid physical contact.
  • Implementing self-evaluation of all staff.
  • Establishing social distancing between workers, who must stand at least 2 meters apart.
  • Instructing all service staff to wear N-95 masks, special clothing and gloves as needed.
  • Disinfecting frequently and meticulously all communal areas in operations, such as dining areas, sleeping quarters, vehicles, tanker trucks and others.
  • Implementing a closed-loop transport system which limits tanker trucks to within the borders of the Llanos 34 block. Furthermore, drivers have been instructed not to leave their vehicles at any time throughout their journey and will eat and sleep only within the field.

GeoPark is in constant contact with neighbors and authorities, informing them of the measures it is taking to guarantee safe operations and of its willingness to take further steps to face this emergency. In doing so, GeoPark has demonstrated its commitment to the protection and integrity of neighbors and workers alike.

Find here and here some of our protocols to prevent workers and communities’ exposure to COVID-19.

ABOUT GEOPARK
GeoPark is a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator with operations and growth platforms in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador. As part of its mission to “Create Value and Give Back”, the Company develops sustainable social investment programs in conjunction with the State and local authorities and communities, which aim to promote positive changes in the areas in which it has activities.

For more information:
María Camila Casallas
mcasallas@geo-park.com
Telephone: +57 310 316 7586