UK workers on Apache's Forties, Beryl oil fields set to strike over pay

Operations at a string of UK oil fields are set to be affected by strike action this week, labor union Unite said in a statement Oct. 19, warning that it could impact the UK's largest crude pipeline system.

The 24-hour strike by 160 offshore workers of US producer Apache Energy will start on the morning of Oct. 21, Unite said, affecting operations at seven facilities across the Forties and Beryl oil fields.

It is scheduled to be followed by another 24-hour strike starting on the morning of Nov. 4 and includes electrical, instrument, mechanical and production technicians and radio operators, Unite said.

The impacted platforms are Forties Alpha, Forties Bravo, Forties Charlie, Forties Delta, Forties Echo, Beryl Alpha and Beryl Bravo, Unite said.

The union warned that the strike could lead to the UK's fuel supplies being "severely disrupted" and the closure of the Charlie platform, which could even take the Forties Pipeline System, the UK's largest crude pipeline, offline due to a lack of pressure.

About 80 offshore fields flow through pipelines into the Forties Pipeline System, which is operated by Ineos FPS and transports 30%-40% of the UK's crude supply, or around 200,000-250,000 barrels/day.

The Charlie platform and FPS were unlikely to be significantly affected, an Apache spokesperson said in a statement to Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.

"Based on our current contingency plans, we do not anticipate that industrial action would affect other producers' ability to continue operating through the Forties Pipeline System," the spokesperson said.

"Our plans include maintaining experienced personnel on Forties Charlie to operate the plant and support continued third-party production, even if production from all five Apache-operated Forties platforms were suspended. Any resulting reduction in pipeline pressure if Apache production was suspended would be comparable to that experienced during a routine maintenance outage."

Ineos FPS did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Platts.

The strike represents an escalation in an ongoing pay dispute, after Apache's workers rejected a pay offer from the company. The two sides are expected to hold talks with mediators prior to the strike, Unite said. Apache's spokesperson said the company hopes to resolve the matter through dialogue.

Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, called for Apache to make "an acceptable offer" to members and said the company was "putting UK fuel supplies at risk."

Stevie Davies, Unite's industrial officer, said Apache's recent pay offer amounted to a "real terms pay cut" for some of its members.

However, Apache said it had "engaged constructively" and believes its "final offer to the union is fair", with a proposed 4% pay increase for employees "whose earnings already place them among the highest earners in the UK."

"As a responsible operator, we are planning to maintain safe operations throughout any industrial action, with staffing and activities subject to ongoing assessment," the spokesperson added. "The safety of our people and the safe operation of our assets remain our overriding priorities."

Apache North Sea Production Ltd. is part of the APA Corp. The company entered the North Sea in 2003 by buying a 97% interest in the storied Forties field, which once produced over 500,000 b/d at its peak in the late 1970s.

The UK represented about 7% of Apache's 2025 production, according to the company, equal to some 32,000 boe/d of its 464,000 boe/d globally, reflecting major declines at Forties in recent decades.

Potential strike action comes amid concerns over falling UK oil and gas production, which the industry has blamed on an uncompetitive tax and regulatory environment – chiefly the controversial Energy Profits Levy – and bans on new exploration.

Platts assessed light sweet Forties crude – a component of the Dated Brent basket – at $122.01/b on Oct. 16.