Union claims Exxon delay puts North Sea jobs at risk

A NORTH Sea union leader yesterday accused oil giant Exxon Mobil of a "disgraceful deceit" after it postponed plans for a major offshore drilling programme.

Graham Tran, the Aberdeen-based regional officer of Unite, Britain's largest union, claimed up to 70 jobs had been put at risk due to the decision to delay drilling at the Beryl Field.

He has written to Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, requesting that his department investigate the oil giant's decision - and to withdraw its licence to operate the field, if necessary.

Tran said the proposed drilling programme, which was crucial to ExxonMobil's future in the North Sea, had been put on hold for three years - a claim vigorously denied by the company.

He claimed he had been contacted by Unite members who work for KCA Deutag, the main drilling contractor on the Beryl Platform, who were concerned about the postponement.

Exxon Mobil, Tran claimed, had spent in excess of 20 million preparing rigs for a five-year drilling programme.

"They even moved the drill crew on to a two-on, three-off rota, which resulted in KCA Deutag successfully recruiting more drill staff," Tran said.

"ExxonMobil has now put the drilling programme on hold for three years, which has put around 70 drilling jobs at risk. The behaviour is disgraceful and deceitful ... they are being dishonest to the employees, and also to the UK government and the UK taxpayer. It maybe that ExxonMobil are looking to get out of the North Sea.

"I am therefore calling on the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to investigate this matter and if ExxonMobil refuses to reverse this decision, then government should take the necessary steps to remove its operating license and make this productive field available to operators who believe in the future of the North Sea."