North Sea workers are preparing to strike at oil rigs across the ageing basin over the coming weeks amid growing tensions between trade unions and oil companies. Unite said on Monday that more than 160 offshore rig workers would join a 24-hour strike from Wednesday that could severely disrupt UK fuel supplies. The strike will involve workers at five Apache oil platforms linked to the Forties Pipeline System, which accounts for about 30% of UK oil production. Unite claimed that a production halt could sharply reduce pressure across the pipeline system and disrupt UK fuel supplies.
Trade union leaders are scheduled to continue pay talks with Apache through the Acas mediation service on Wednesday. However, Unite expects the strike to begin at 6am that morning because Apache has shown "no willingness" to resolve the dispute, according to Unite. A spokesperson for Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos, which owns the Forties pipeline, did not respond to a request for comment.
Apache said the company plans to use experienced contractors to continue production during the strike. Apache said the company would not expect an impact on other oil companies using the Forties pipeline even if all five platforms could not operate. Apache said the company's offer provides a 4% pay increase for employees in the bargaining unit. Apache said those employees already rank among the UK's highest earners and work an offshore rota averaging 153 working days a year.
Workers at oil services company Wood Group had already planned a 48-hour strike starting on Tuesday. The workers are contracted to Harbour Energy's Britannia, Jasmine, Judy, Lomond and North Everest platforms. Wood Group said only eight of the 150 employees contracted to the affected Harbour platforms participated in strike action earlier this month. Wood Group said the earlier action did not disrupt operations. Unite and trade union RMT said a third 48-hour strike is planned for 3 November.
North Sea oil companies have increasingly clashed with trade unions in recent years as many companies cut investment in UK assets, blaming UK energy policies and taxes. Texas-based Apache plans to end all North Sea operations by the end of 2029. Apache blames the "onerous financial" impact of the government's windfall tax, which brings oil companies' total tax rate on profits to 78%.
Harbour Energy, the UK's biggest North Sea oil producer, has also blamed the UK tax regime for reducing investment in UK waters. Harbour Energy said late last year that the company would cut 100 offshore jobs. Harbour Energy had reduced the company's workforce by about 600 since 2023.
The industrial action comes ahead of the budget on 28 October and an imminent decision on the fate of the controversial Jackdaw gas project. The UK faces fresh concerns over energy supplies this winter because of the global fuel crisis caused by the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
North Sea Oil Workers to Strike, Risking UK Fuel Supply Disruption
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Summary
North Sea oil workers are set to strike at five Apache platforms, risking UK fuel supply disruption. The 24-hour walkout starts Wednesday, impacting over 160 rig workers and the Forties Pipeline System, which handles 30% of UK oil production. Apache says it will use experienced contractors to keep operations running and expects no effect on other pipeline users. Wood Group workers also plan two separate strikes, one 48-hour action starting Tuesday and another on 3 November. The industrial action follows ongoing disputes over pay and energy policy. On-chain news continues to highlight real-world economic impacts. This move adds to AI + crypto news trends, showing how energy sectors influence broader markets.
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