BP plans to cut 600 jobs in North Sea

British oil major BP has made plans to slash 20 percent of its North Sea workforce by the end of 2017 bringing 600 jobs at risk.

According to STV News, this move is part of a plan by BP to axe 4000 jobs globally as a result of an oil downturn. Worth noting, BP has nearly 4000 people in the North Sea Region only.

Offshore Energy Today has contacted BP seeking further information about this round of layoffs.

In an e-mail to Offshore Energy Today, Mark Thomas, Regional President for BP North Sea, explained: “In toughening market conditions and given the well-documented challenges of operating in this maturing region, we need to take specific steps to ensure our business remains competitive and robust.

“An inevitable outcome of this will be an impact on headcount and we expect a reduction of around 600 staff and agency contractor roles by the end of 2017, with the majority of these taking place this year.”

Thomas also added: “We are speaking to our staff and agency contractor management and will work with those affected over the coming months.”

The oil giant reduced its North Sea workforce once before in January 2015 as a response to toughening market conditions.

Offshore Energy Today Staff