Unite warns Apache North Sea strike could disrupt UK fuel supplies

October 5, 2026 at 04:17 AM2 min

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The Unite union said a possible strike by more than 160 offshore workers at Apache's North Sea operations could seriously disrupt UK fuel supplies. Industrial action could begin later this month after pay negotiations broke down. Apache said it has a contingency plan and does not expect the strike to affect other producers using the Forties pipeline system.

Key Facts

More than 160 offshore workers, including electrical specialists, production technicians and radio operators, could strike at Apache's North Sea operations later this month.
Unite said the strike could shut down the Charlie platform and potentially the entire Forties pipeline system, which transports almost one-third of the UK's oil and gas.
Apache offered workers a 4% pay rise and said its offshore personnel are among the highest-paid workers in the UK, with an average offshore work schedule of 153 working days per year.
Apache's parent company, Texas-based APA Corporation, reported $1.4 billion in post-tax profit last year on revenue of $9.2 billion.

Pay Dispute

Unite said workers strongly backed strike action after pay negotiations broke down. The union claims Apache's offer amounts to a real-terms pay cut for many employees when inflation is taken into account. Unite also said Apache set deadlines for reaching an agreement on backdated payments and indicated workers may not receive these funds, potentially costing them thousands of pounds. Apache said it had engaged constructively in negotiations and offered workers a 4% pay rise.

Forties System Risk

The strike could affect the Forties and Beryl fields, with Unite warning that the Charlie platform could shut down and potentially lead to the shutdown of the entire Forties pipeline system. According to Unite, the Forties system transports almost one-third of the UK's oil and gas. Apache stressed that it has a contingency plan in the event of a strike and does not expect it to affect the operations of other producers using the Forties system. The company plans to retain experienced personnel at key facilities and says any possible reduction in pipeline pressure would be comparable to levels during planned maintenance shutdowns.