Unite union has announced that oil workers employed by Apache in the North Sea are backing strike action following unsuccessful pay negotiations. The union characterized the pay offer presented by the Texas-based operator as unacceptable, representing a real-terms pay cut for numerous employees despite the company recording substantial profits. Workers also raised concerns about Apache’s handling of back pay arrangements and potential withheld payments.
Apache responded by stating it conducted pay discussions constructively and offered a 4% wage increase. The company noted that affected employees already earn among the highest salaries in the UK and work an average of 153 days annually on offshore platforms. The operator emphasized it provided this same increase to non-unionized staff.
Strike action could commence later this month and involve more than 160 Apache offshore workers across multiple roles. The potential disruption would affect the Forties and Beryl oilfields, with Unite indicating that the Charlie platform could be halted entirely. The union warned this could shut down the entire Forties pipeline system, which reportedly carries approximately one-third of the UK’s oil and gas supply, with possible ripple effects on other major North Sea operators.
Apache stated it has contingency plans in place to maintain safe operations and preserve key personnel at critical sites. The company asserted it did not anticipate strike action would affect other producers’ ability to use the Forties pipeline, noting that any pressure reduction would be comparable to routine maintenance operations. The department for energy security and net zero urged all parties to resolve the dispute without disruption, noting the UK maintains diverse fuel supplies and clarifying the pipeline carries crude oil rather than fuel.
This situation occurs amid existing fuel price pressures affecting UK consumers, with diesel prices recently reaching record levels and international energy supply concerns affecting global markets.
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