Union bosses say a potential strike involving more than 160 North Sea workers could disrupt UK supplies through the strategically important Forties pipeline system.
Unite members employed by Apache have backed industrial action in a dispute over pay, with strikes potentially beginning this month across seven assets linked to the Forties and Beryl fields.
The union says disruption at the Forties Charlie platform could reduce pressure and potentially disrupt the wider Forties Pipeline System, impacting other major North sea operators including Neo Next +, Harbour Energy, Serica Energy, CNOOC, Adura, and BP.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “We will not tolerate unacceptable pay offers and threats to withhold back pay from Apache."
Apache said they believed that Forties field activities would not be significantly impacted.
In a statement, it said it had “engaged constructively” throughout the pay discussions, describing its final offer as “fair.”
A spokesperson added: “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.
“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.
“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.
“We respect the ballot result, but our preference remains to resolve this matter through constructive dialogue.”