DUTCHFORD Exploration and Production Company Limited has warned the National Union of Petroleum and Engineering Gas Workers (NUPENG) against creating a false representation of its operations.

The company made the clarification in response to a threat by NUPENG to embark on a nationwide strike as well as storm the Oritsetimeyin oil drilling rig to eject workers.

The rig has already been shut down over lingering industrial dispute.

In a statement by the management of the company, it said contrary to the claim that DUTCHFORD E&P did not pay their employees’ entitlements in 2022, the workers in questions are not employees of Dutchford but the Selective Marine Oil and Gas Services (SMOGS).

The Rig Oritsetimeyin only arrived at its location on the 8th of March 2024, adding that all discussions and protracted issues from previous operations predating this date are completely unrelated to Dutchford.

DUTCHFORD is the operator of the Udibe Oil Field, located within the FGN approved Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 237, Offshore Akwa-Ibom.

In the statement,  the company said in its mandate to meet the regulatory minimum work programme obligation, it engaged the SMOGS who are the owners and operator of the Oritsetimeyin Jackup rig on a six  months contract for the installation of the Udibe wellhead drilling platform and drilling and completions of the Udibe-02 appraisal/development well.