UK fuel supplies at risk of ‘severe disruption’ as oil workers consider strike action

UK fuel supplies could be “severely disrupted” as offshore oil workers consider strike action, a major union has warned. More than 160 workers at oil and gas operator Apache have backed strike action over a pay dispute. The Unite union has said strikes could begin this month and would include seven Apache assets associated with the Forties and Beryl oil fields. It warned this could lead to the entire pipeline system going down. This comes as drivers are already facing record-high diesel prices this week. Average UK diesel prices topped an eye-watering £2 a litre for the first time this week. Read more on energy bills Meanwhile, energy bills have also rocketed up after the price cap increased on October 1. Households are paying 4% more for their energy bills, with the average dual-fuel household charged £1,723 a year (or about £144 a month). Fuel prices have risen dramatically because of months of disruption to global supplies caused by the Iran war. Last week, the UK and other leading G7 nations agreed to release 100million barrels of fuel and oil from emergency stocks after coming under pressure from Donald Trump. Most read in Money A strike by offshore oil workers could put further pressure on UK supplies. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We will not tolerate unacceptable pay offers and threats to withhold back pay from Apache.” Meanwhile 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.” Apache has been approached for comment.