Canadian oil and gas workers stranded in Middle East as regional conflict halts international travel

Petro Staff International reports hundreds of Canadian oil workers are sheltering in place with no way home as the Middle East conflict suspends all travel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 3:49 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Edmonton Sun

Restricted Movement and Shelter Protocols

Canadian oilfield and natural gas workers stationed throughout the Middle East are currently unable to leave the region following a comprehensive shutdown of international travel routes. Anisa Rosvold, regional vice president for Petro Staff International, confirmed that a couple of hundred workers placed by her company are scattered across the Gulf states with no way in or out. National governments in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, have instructed all foreign employees to shelter in place and stay home while local authorities cover the costs for those stranded in hotels.

Escalating Fears Among Western Personnel

Workers placed in nations such as Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed significant anxiety regarding the intensity of the joint military campaign led by the United States and Israel. According to agency reports, the primary fear among these candidates stems from the scale of the offensive and the potential for Iranian reprisals. Many employees have begun documenting local fires and damage, leading to a surge in requests for the staffing agency to find them permanent employment back in Canada rather than temporary leave.

Civilian Infrastructure and Targeted Risks

The security situation has been complicated by reports of damage to schools, hospitals, and other civilian buildings, which the United Nations has characterized as grave violations of humanitarian law. The presence of major American military bases in several Middle Eastern nations has made those countries targets for Iranian missile and drone strikes. Workers fear that the destruction of civilian assets in Iran could lead to retaliatory strikes against civilian centers and infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states, placing foreign contractors in the line of fire.