Hundreds of oil rig employees are currently stranded due to a strike by helicopter pilots who transport workers to and from numerous North Sea sites.
The strike at Bristow Helicopters started at midnight on Monday and is set to last for two days, potentially affecting over 80 scheduled flights, according to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa). Each helicopter trip can accommodate 16 passengers, impacting the travel plans of more than 1,000 offshore workers who might face disruptions and schedule changes.
Although alternative helicopter services in the area have increased their flight capacities, Balpa reports that oil companies must now reconsider their operational plans and modify worker rotations. As a result, some employees are stuck after a typical two-week stint on the rigs or are unable to begin their shifts.
Specifically, employees on the Kittiwake platform were unable to leave as scheduled after operator EnQuest had difficulties securing flights, as reported by Energy Voice. These workers have now exceeded their planned stay by 12 days, reaching 26 days on board, leading to the cancellation of their vacation plans.
The strike impacts Bristow’s bases in Aberdeen and Sumburgh, Shetland, which house 11 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters vital for North Sea operations. Despite the strike, the company managed to operate seven return flights on Tuesday, as listed on its website.
Amy Leversidge, general secretary of Balpa, described the strike, the second in a series of seven planned 48-hour walkouts, as a last resort following a year of unsuccessful wage negotiations. Leversidge emphasized the significant effect of the strike on both the transportation of workers and the operational adjustments oil companies are forced to make, expressing confidence that workers would understand the necessity of the action.
Captains at Bristow receive salaries exceeding £100,000 annually, including allowances, and typically work about 182 days each year flying to oil and gas facilities.
Bristow has proposed an average 11% salary increase for pilots and technical crews, along with a one-time payment equivalent to 6% of their 2023 earnings, recognizing the “critical role” they fulfil.
A company spokesperson stated, “Strike action naturally disrupts operations. Nevertheless, our team of crewing, scheduling, and ground operations is working tirelessly and professionally to limit this disruption as much as possible.”
The strike impacts transportation to installations operated by five firms: BP, Repsol, Chrysaor, EnQuest, and Harbour Energy, as noted by Balpa.
Bristow crews involved in search and rescue operations are also participating in the strike, though emergency services remain available at all times.
