The Government has moved to reassure drivers that strike action in the North Sea is unlikely to affect UK fuel supplies, despite warnings from unions about potential disruption.
Workers at several Apache North Sea oil and gas platforms began a 24-hour strike from 6am today amid an escalating pay dispute. The action has raised concerns about knock-on effects on fuel supplies, with petrol and diesel costs already high.
Government and Union Positions
Earlier this week, Unite industrial officer Stevie Davies warned that industrial action could lead to a “material disruption in the Forties Pipeline” that could “severely affect the UK’s fuel supplies.”
However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) stressed that the UK has a diverse and resilient fuel supply and does not expect any strike action to cause disruption. The department revealed that the UK mostly exports oil from this particular pipeline, so it would not expect any impact on UK consumers.
Official Statements and Contingency Plans
In a statement to The Express, a DESNZ spokesperson said: "We urge all parties to continue to work together to reach a resolution. We continually monitor fuel supplies across the country and have robust, tried and tested plans in place to ensure these supplies are maintained at all times."
Apache revealed that contingency plans were in place and stressed that they did not anticipate any industrial action to affect other producers’ ability to continue operating through the Forties Pipeline System. They suggested that any reduction in pipeline pressure if Apache production was suspended would be comparable to that experienced during a routine maintenance outage.
Apache added: “As a responsible operator, we are planning to maintain safe operations throughout any industrial action, with staffing and activities subject to ongoing assessment. The safety of our people and the safe operation of our assets remain our overriding priorities.”
Industry Concerns and Driver Impact
However, Tom Preston, Chief Executive Officer at Hippo Leasing, suggested that the industrial action could not have come at a worse time with fuel costs continuing to be a thorn in the side of drivers.
Tom said: “The biggest worry for most drivers this week is the price at the pump. Apache has said it expects the Forties pipeline to keep running, and a 24-hour stoppage on its own is unlikely to change fuel prices by tomorrow morning, but the timing is still bad. Diesel is close to £2 a litre, and news that unsettles supply usually keeps prices higher for longer.
“At current prices, an average diesel car costs around 20p a mile in fuel, so someone driving 10,000 miles a year is spending about £2,000. Drivers struggle most with fuel costs changing month to month and not knowing what their costs will be.”
