More than 160 offshore workers employed by the American oil and gas company Apache will strike for 24 hours on October 21, 2023. The strike will take place at seven offshore facilities in the North Sea, and the Unite union has warned that this industrial action could affect the strategic Forties pipeline system.
Strike Details
The strike will begin at 6 AM on October 21 and will end the following morning. Additionally, another 24-hour strike is planned for November 4. The affected facilities include Forties Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Beryl Alpha, and Beryl Bravo.
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Impact on the Forties Pipeline System
The Unite union has stated that shutting down the Forties Charlie platform could reduce pressure in the pipeline and may cause the Forties Pipeline System (FPS), managed by Ineos, to become inactive, disrupting production from other North Sea operators. The FPS transports oil and liquid gas from over 80 offshore fields as well as the St Fergus gas terminal with a nominal capacity of over 600,000 barrels per day.
However, Apache has rejected claims that this strike could halt a wider network. The company has stated that precautionary measures include retaining experienced personnel at Forties Charlie to support third-party production, even if production from all five Apache platforms in Forties is halted.
Reasons for the Strike
Disputes in this matter stem from a pay proposal that the Unite union claims represents a real pay cut for many workers, including pay freezes and increases below the rate of inflation. The union has also accused Apache of threatening to withhold back pay, which could force employees to pay thousands of pounds out of their own pockets.
Apache has emphasized that their proposal includes a 4% pay increase and is considered fair in relation to the overall compensation package. Negotiations with the Acas mediation service are scheduled before the action on Wednesday, although the Unite union has stated that no progress has been made in negotiations.
These disputes come as Apache prepares to exit the North Sea by the end of 2029, with plans to decommission seven platforms and nearly 260 wells in the Forties and Beryl fields.
Apache's parent company, APA Corporation, reported $1.7 billion in operating cash flow and $738 million in free cash flow in the second quarter of 2026.
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