Filing deadline extended for some oil and gas companies

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Petroleum Commission has extended the deadline for some oil and gas companies to file their 2019 local content documentation requirements, including succession, employment and training plans.

What does the change mean? Only companies that were not on the list of those that were contacted by the commission’s original notification on Feb. 14 will be granted an extension of the deadline until March 10.

• Implementation time frame: March 10.
• Who is affected: Oil and gas companies that were not on the Petroleum Commission’s list of contacts and did not receive the notification on Feb. 14 regarding the filing requirements.
• Business impact: The extension provides additional days for affected companies to submit all necessary forms.
• Next steps: Companies that have been granted an extension must submit their forms by March 10 to avoid penalties. Companies that have missed the original deadline of Feb. 28 may be subject to monetary penalties.

Background: Oil and gas companies are required to file annual local content forms that demonstrate their efforts to hire and train Ghanaian workers, as well as file quarterly assessments of their training programs. The 2019 local content document requirements include succession, employment and training forms.

The succession form requires information such as localization periods, foreign workers’ job descriptions and the names of local employees who take over job roles. The training plan requires a description of the budget, the identified skills and competence gaps to be filled and training sessions for local employees who need to match their skills with those of foreign nationals for job handovers. The recruitment and employment plan outlines the organization’s recruitment plans. The quarterly progress assessment form tracks the progress of the company’s training plan. Employers may obtain these forms from their immigration providers.

Analysis & Comments: Companies in the oil and gas sector who have not completed and submitted all required forms should do so as soon as possible. Companies who were not notified by the commission on Feb. 14 now have until March 10.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.