Strike threat puts fuel supplies at risk of ‘severe disruption’

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Unite said workers at US-owned North Sea oil and gas operator Apache have backed strike action over a pay dispute.

The union said the action could begin this month and would include seven Apache assets associated with the Forties and Beryl oilfields; it could lead to the entire pipeline system going down, it warned.

Average diesel prices have topped £2 a litre for the first time in recent days, having rocketed in recent months because of the disruption to global supplies caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Higher fuel prices helped to drive inflation to a five-month high in August, pushing up the cost of living for householders.

Last week, Britain and other leading G7 nations bowed to White House pressure and agreed to release 100 million barrels of fuel and oil from emergency stocks amid surging prices.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We will not tolerate unacceptable pay offers and threats to withhold back pay from Apache.

“The operator is raking in eye-watering profits. It’s treating its highly skilled workers with contempt. Apache has been caught red-handed in embarking on shameful corporate greed.”

Unite industrial officer Stevie Davies said: “Unite’s members are being left with no option but to take strike action. Any disruption to Apache’s platforms would have a direct hit on the Forties pipeline and potentially severely affecting the UK’s fuel supplies.

“The behaviour of Apache is reckless and it could have far-reaching consequences for workers, operators and consumers.”