Work stoppages hit H&P rigs
Helmerich & Payne said two of its 11 rigs in Venezuela were affected by work stoppages by a local union, though it was not clear if the union action affected drilling operations.
The Tulsa, Oklahoma, drilling company last week announced it was idling two other rigs due to a payment dispute with state oil company PDVSA, but it denied reports that PDVSA or labor unions had attempted to seize any of its rigs in Venezuela.
"Of the nine H&P rigs that are active in Venezuela, operations on two rigs have been recently impacted by work stoppages initiated by a local labor union organisation," the company said in a 4 February statement, said a Reuters report.
"It is not yet clear how long the labor unions will impede transportation of crews to the two rig locations."
One union representative said workers had protested against PDVSA for failing to pay around $100 million owed to the company for drilling services.
Venezuela's oil sector unions routinely block transportation that carries relief crews to drilling rigs.
The unions often describe such events as rig "shutdowns" even when the actions do not affect operations.