Energy majors BP and Statoil of Norway have planned to relocate some employees from their Algeria gas plants after terrorists attacked on one of the plants.
BP along with Sonatrach of Algeria and Norway’s Statoil operate two gas plants, In Salah Gas and In Amenas projects.
BP said in a statement: "BP’s first priority is the safety and security of people. Acting on this principle, BP has decided to undertake a phased temporary relocation of all its staff from the In Salah Gas and In Amenas JVs in Algeria over the next two weeks.
"This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure.
"During this period of temporary relocation, BP will continue to support the JV businesses in Algeria remotely and is working to develop a a robust business continuity plan agreed with partners Sonatrach and Statoil to ensure an appropriately managed return to business as usual."
Terrorists attacked the plant by using a vehicle and a mobile weapon firing explosives at the plant. However, there are no reports of causalities.
Statoil earlier said: "After the attack on the In Salah Gas asset in Krechba in Algeria at 06.00 this morning (18 March), the situation at the plant is now calm. There are no reports of any injuries resulting from the attack. "
While nearly 600 employees work at the plant, only three of them have been directly employed by Statoil.
"None of the employees at the plant are injured, and the three Statoil employees are safe inside the plant. No evacuation from this plant or any other plants in Algeria has been planned," it said.
The company has increased the security at its plants in Algeria following the In Amenas attack in 2013.
"Statoil will, in accordance with our procedures, carry out a review of the attack, and together with the partners consider, as part of the ordinary operations, the need for any further security measures at the plants in Algeria," it added.
"The Algerian military reportedly has control of the area. Statoil’s emergency organisation has been demobilised, but the Joint Venture and the partners continue to monitor the situation in cooperation with relevant authorities."