Workers on North Sea oil rigs are preparing to undertake a series of strikes amid ongoing pay disputes with oil companies, raising concerns over potential disruptions to the United Kingdom’s fuel supply. The Unite trade union announced that more than 160 offshore workers at the Brent oilfield are set to begin a 24-hour strike starting Thursday, following a previously planned 48-hour strike by employees contracted to Wood Group, which services Harbour Energy fields.
The dispute centers on pay negotiations, with Unite accusing companies of showing little willingness to reach a settlement. The strikes will affect multiple platforms operated by Apache Energy, particularly those connected to the Forties Pipeline System (FPS), which accounts for roughly 30% of the UK’s oil production. Unite has warned that a halt in production could cause a drop in pipeline pressure, potentially impacting the country’s fuel supply. Apache’s chief negotiators will engage in talks under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) on Wednesday, although Unite has indicated the strike will proceed as planned.
Apache stated it intends to mitigate the impact of the industrial action by deploying experienced contractors to maintain operations during the strikes. The company also pointed out that even a complete shutdown of the five platforms on the FPS would not significantly affect other oil producers using the pipeline. Apache reaffirmed its offer of a 4% salary increase for affected workers, highlighting that their total remuneration already ranks among the highest in the UK oil sector. The company also noted that offshore workers typically spend an average of 153 days annually on rotation.
Wood Group reported that previous strike action in early October involved only eight of its 150 employees working on Harbour Energy platforms and did not disrupt production. However, additional 48-hour strikes are planned, including one scheduled for November 3, according to Unite and the RMT trade union.
The industrial action occurs amid heightened concern about the UK’s energy security, as the government prepares for its upcoming budget on October 28 and anticipates a decision on development of the Jackdrew gas project. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing global fuel shortages linked to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Ineos, which owns the Forties Pipeline System, declined to comment on the potential impact of the strikes. As negotiations continue, energy companies and unions remain locked in a dispute that could have significant implications for the UK’s fuel supplies this winter.