Fuel supplies in the United Kingdom face potential disruption as offshore oil workers employed by Apache prepare to strike over a pay dispute, union officials have indicated. The Unite union reported that more than 160 workers at Apache’s installations in the North Sea, specifically in the Forties and Beryl oil fields near Aberdeen, have backed industrial action.

The planned strike could begin imminently and might result in the shutdown of a key oil pipeline, raising concerns about the impact on the UK’s fuel supply. Industrial officer Stevie Davies warned that such disruptions could "potentially severely affect UK fuel supplies," particularly as average diesel prices have recently reached a record high of £2 per litre.

Unite criticized Apache’s pay proposals, stating that the offer would represent a real-terms reduction in income for many workers, either through a pay freeze or increases below the rate of inflation. The union also highlighted that the company had threatened to withhold back pay in relation to the ongoing dispute.

Apache, which is a US-based operator, was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue, with energy sector observers closely monitoring the potential consequences for the UK fuel market.