Unite warns of severe UK fuel disruption as North Sea workers prepare for strike

More than 160 offshore rig workers are set to commence a 24-hour walkout on Wednesday, a move that the Unite union warns could severely disrupt fuel supplies across the United Kingdom. The industrial action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between trade unions and oil companies operating within the ageing North Sea basin. The strike is scheduled to begin at 6am, coinciding with the continuation of pay negotiations between union leaders and the Apache energy company via the Acas mediation service. Despite these talks, Unite maintains that the company has demonstrated no willingness to resolve the current disagreement, thereby necessitating the planned stoppage.

The workforce involved in the action is employed at five Apache oil platforms that are connected to the Forties Pipeline System. This infrastructure is critical to the national energy supply, as it is responsible for approximately 30% of the UK’s oil production. Unite has cautioned that a halt in production at these sites could result in a sharp drop in pressure across the pipeline network, leading to significant interruptions in fuel availability. While a spokesperson for Ineos, the owner of the Forties pipeline under Jim Ratcliffe, did not respond to requests for comment, the union remains firm in its assessment of the potential impact on domestic supplies.

This latest development occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions between North Sea operators and trade unions. In recent years, many companies have reduced investment in UK assets, citing the country’s energy policies and tax regime as primary factors. The timing of the strike is particularly sensitive, as it precedes the budget announcement on 28 October and a pending decision regarding the controversial Jackdaw gas project. These events unfold while the UK faces renewed concerns over its energy security this winter, driven by the global fuel crisis stemming from conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Apache, a Texas-based firm, has indicated its intention to conclude all North Sea operations by the end of 2029. The company attributes this decision to the onerous financial impact of the government’s windfall tax, which imposes a total tax rate of 78% on profits. In response to the impending strike, an Apache spokesperson stated that experienced contractors would be utilised to maintain production. The company further argued that even if all five platforms were unable to operate, it did not anticipate any adverse effect on other oil companies using the Forties pipeline. Apache also highlighted that its current offer includes a 4% pay increase for employees in the bargaining unit, noting that their earnings already place them among the highest in the UK, with an offshore rota averaging 153 working days per year.

Separate industrial action is also planned for workers at the Wood Group, an oil services company contracted to Harbour Energy. A 48-hour strike was already scheduled to begin on Tuesday, affecting the Britannia, Jasmine, Judy, Lomond and North Everest platforms. Wood Group reported that only eight of the 150 employees contracted to these platforms participated in strike action earlier in the month, with no disruption to operations. A further 48-hour strike is planned for 3 November, according to Unite and the RMT trade union. Harbour Energy, the UK’s largest North Sea oil producer, has similarly cited the tax regime for its decision to scale back investment, having cut 100 offshore jobs late last year after reducing its workforce by approximately 600 since 2023.