Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inGeorge LithgowMonday 05 October 2026 09:13 BSTAndy Burnham faces choice on drilling as North Sea consultation closesMore than 160 offshore oil workers at Apache have voted to strike over a pay dispute, with the Unite union warning action could begin this month across seven North Sea assets.Unite claimed industrial action could severely disrupt UK fuel supplies by forcing the shutdown of the entire Forties pipeline system.Apache and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero disputed claims of widespread disruption, stating contingency plans will maintain third-party production on the crude oil pipeline.Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Apache of corporate greed, whilst Apache defended its 4 per cent pay increase offer as fair and reflective of high existing earnings.The dispute occurs against a backdrop of surging global fuel prices and rising UK inflation driven by ongoing international conflicts.In fullOil worker strike threatens to severely disrupt Britain’s fuel supplyMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in